European Commission’s design secretariat to locate in Aalto University

The European Commission will launch an initiative in 2011 to reinforce the link between design, innovation and competitiveness. The European Design Innovation Initiave (EDII) will have a secretariat, which will be located in Designium Innovation Centre. Designium operates in Aalto University. 

The Secretariat will locate in Finland for two key reasons: the mission of Aalto University to integrate creative disciplines, economics and technology, and the know-how and experience of Designium in broad-based utilization of design.

According to the European Commission, Europe will increasingly need to apply market and user driven approaches to balance technology driven thinking. The Commision considers market and user driven design to be a key factor in solving the challenges of climate change, population aging and the competitiveness of European economies.

World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 has collaborated closely with the Initiative.

“We are delighted about the Commission’s decision and the strengthening role of design in the EU. The Secretariat will also support the objectives of World Design Capital. Both are working towards the same end,” comments Pekka Timonen, Director of International Design Foundation. The Foundation is the managing organization of World Design Capital Helsinki 2012.
 
The EDII Secretariat and World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 support each other in a natural way. Timonen continues, “The location of the secretariat in Helsinki enhances the role of the Finnish capital region as the home of an internationally significant design concentration.”