The Director of LABoral, Rosina Gómez-Baeza, has been invited by the
Belgian Government, in collaboration with the European Commission, to
participate in the international meeting “Creativity, Culture and
Innovation” in celebration of Belgium hosting the Presidency of the
European Union. Over two days – Wednesday and Thursday, September 8
and 9 – a group of important experts and organizations from different
countries will meet in the Flagey Cultural Centre in Brussels to discuss the
innovative dimension cultural and creative industries. Different panels
will emphasise the importance of this sector for social and economic
development as well as how culture is one of the most important means by
which to stimulate innovation.

Rosina Gómez-Baeza will participate in the panel “Developing creative
skills, a key factor for innovation,” which will examine the need to
integrate cultural creativity with educational policy. In her speech, she will
talk about creative industries as an ever-increasingly important part of
knowledge-based post-industrial economies. “They not only contribute to
economic growth and job-creation, they also are essential elements in the
transmission of cultural identity. In the framework of the new knowledge
economy, creative activity is the foundation of being competitive.”
Starting from this premise, the Director of LABoral will refer to El Centro
de Arte y Creación Industrial in Gijón as “a multidisciplinary space that
favours artistic exchange and foments relations between society, art,
science, technology and creative industries. It is an open and dynamic
project intended for a public of all ages. It brings together the latest in
artistic expression with educational activities. At a time when different
museums and cultural institutions are opting to use education and handson
experience as a means to promote knowledge and encourage creativity
and innovation, LABoral takes it starting point from the exploration of
new pedagogical methods and novel formats for learning, establishing
itself as a pioneer in this field.

In its education area, all of LABoral’s activities depart from these
premises, aspiring to make up for what is lacking in schools, universities
or professional education when dealing with new technological media – all
the while stimulating public participation and amateur talent. During the
first three years of its existence (March 30, 2007, to March 31, 2010)
LABoral organised 92 workshops and 17 theoretical gatherings given by
200 instructors with the total participation of 14,933 people in the various
events that took place locally, in Spain or abroad. The workshops,
intended for professionals, students, families and children, were
conceived as a programme parallel to the exhibitions, always taking into
account the specific needs of the professional and creative local
community.

Gómez-Baeza considers innovation to be fundamental when responding
effectively to the challenges set by globalisation as well as seizing upon the
opportunities it brings. “Capacity for innovation is strictly linked to
creativity; like a personal attribute, it is based in cultural and
interpersonal aptitudes and values. To make the most of it, it must be
extended throughout the population. At LABoral, we strive to encourage
artistic and other forms of creativity during the period of education and
adulthood because we believe that cultural diversity is the source of
creativity and innovation. If we help improve our understanding of the
process of innovation, we will be fostering more enterprising attitudes that
will allow for sustainable prosperity for everyone.”