Perspectives on Innovation in the Heart of Europe: How do we strengthen innovation in Central and Eastern Europe

“First – and most importantly – Europe must profoundly refocus its collective efforts on closing the innovation gap with the US and China, especially in advanced technologies.” is the first recommendation of the Draghi Report on European competitiveness.

Innovation and Research are highly unevenly distributed in the European Union. EU member countries in Central and Eastern Europe have had a rapid economic growth since joining the EU, but risk slowing down. Regarding the metrics of innovation, they are partly lagging behind, and, despite efforts, they remain less active in European research programs.

Berlin holds a special historical and geographical place between Central and Eastern European countries and Western European countries. The Berlin University Alliance therefore aims at bringing together its existing expertise and at establishing Berlin as an international hub for exchange and competence on Central and Eastern European countries - including innovation and entrepreneurship -, on the post-Soviet transformation as well as on contemporary societal transformations.

The panel will address opportunities of how Berlin’s leading position on innovation and entrepreneurship can be developed to support Central and Eastern European countries and help leverage their innovation potential. How can we integrate the objectives of closing the innovation gap and contributing to economic growth with preserving and enhancing European and democratic values? What formats and communication channels could be used to engender increased engagement with policy makers and societal stakeholders from Western and Eastern Europe? Which stakeholders could be valuable contributors, and how can the Berlin University Alliance contribute to developing leadership that will shape societal transitions of the future in line with democratic European values and ideas. The Panel will discuss fundamental considerations and potential avenues.

The event will be held in English.

Programme

17:00 – 17:10

 Welcome: Mr. Naveed Syed, Secretary General, ENHANCE

Introduction to subject:

Prof. Dr. Theocharis Grigoriadis, Head of Department of Economics,
Institute for East European Studies, Freie Universität Berlin

17:10 – 18:00

Panel Discussion moderated by

Mr. Naveed Syed, Secretary General, ENHANCE Alliance:

Prof. Dr. Jan Kratzer, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management and Academic Director / Founder of the Centre for Entrepreneurship (CfE), Technische Universität Berlin

Prof. Dr. Agnieszka Skala-Gosk, Division of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Warsaw University of Technology

Mr. Thomas Meißner, Head of Division Mobility | Energy | Innovation, Berlin Partner

18:00 – 18:30

Discussion and concluding remarks

18:30 – 19:30

Reception with light meal and drinks

Further Information and registration