Overcoming Recession through Innovation Combining Irish and Finnish Strengths

with the participation of
Ms. Mari Kiviniemi, Prime Minister of Finland and Mr. Brian Cowen, Taoiseach.
Date: 7th October 2010
Venue: Dublin Castle, Bedford Hall

Seminar Chair: Dr. Tom McCarthy, Chairman, Advisory Science Council

9.45 Opening Statement
Ms. Henna Virkkunen, Minister of Education and Culture, Finland

10.00 -11.30 Session 1
Economic overview; Irish and Finnish innovation systems
Exiting the recession; constructing a conducive / enabling innovation and business environment; identifying the complementarities of the Finnish & Irish innovation systems and approaches
Speakers:

Mr. Jukka Pekkarinen, State Under Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office, FI
Prof. Frances Ruane, Director, Economic and Social Research Institute, IE
Mr. Petri Peltonen, Director General, Innovation Department, Ministry of Economy and Employment, FI
Mr. Martin Shanagher, Assistant Secretary, Dept. Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, IE

12.00 -13.30 Session 2
Role of Higher Education, Research & Innovation (The Knowledge Triangle)
Promoting cooperation between Universities and Enterprise; the role of Universities in national innovation systems.

Speakers:

Conor Lenihan, T.D., Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, IE
Prof. Markku Mattila, President, Academy of Finland
Prof. Brian MacCraith, President, Dublin City University
Prof. Hannu Seristö, Professor of International Business, Aalto University, FI
Prof. Johanna Björkroth, Professor of Food Hygiene, Vice-Rector, University of Helsinki, FI

15.00 –17.00 Session 3
Innovation in practice
Combining company and institutional complementarities and strengths for global markets with focus on food and life sciences. Experience to date of cooperation and opportunities for further cooperation.

Selected success stories, lessons learnt, the way forward.
Speakers:

Mr. Veijo Meriläinen, International Operations and Innovations, Valio, FI
Mr. Jens Bleiel, CEO of Food Health Ireland
Dr. Gerry Boyle, Director, Teagasc, IE
Ms. Saara Hassinen, General Manager, SHOK/Salwe Oy, FI
A case study: Research/business collaboration between Dublin Dental School and Planmeca, Helsinki, Mr. Jari-Pekka Teräväinen and Prof. David Coleman

Short Presentations from Two Irish SME companies on their experiences working with Finnish partners.

17.00 Closing Statements

Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen

Ms. Mari Kiviniemi, Prime Minister of Finland