One week after the conclusion of Get Innovation Moving, we look back with satisfaction on the awareness campaign with which we - for the first time - presented scientific research and innovation to the the street scene to the people of Brussels.
“The result of this very first edition shows that residents and passers-by are attracted to innovation," says Stefaan Sonck Thiebaut, general manager of Innoviris, the public organisation that supports and finances research and innovation in the Brussels Capital Region.
"The various discussions with passers-by showed that they were actually aware of many of the initiatives that we support, through STEM Brussels or the Co-Creation programme."
A number of innovators, researchers and also Asma Boujtat, the winner of the WATS (Women Award inTechnology and Science) came into the picture, along with tantalising questions about underwater robots or camels in research.
The Walk of Innovators literally put partners and beneficiaries on the Brussels map, because the most surprising innovation can be found in the most hidden corner, and often close to home.
The Brussels gateway to innovation also aroused the interest of Jean-Eric Paquet, Director General of the European DG Research and Innovation, who met up with Barbara Trachte, the Secretary of State for the Brussels Capital Region in charge of Economic transition and Scientific research at Get Innovation Moving.
The importance of local innovative projects and involving citizens through an initiative such as Get Innovation Moving is explained by both in this video and shared on the occasion of the EU research and innovation days at the end of June. A number of passers-by around the gate share their views on research and innovation from 44:00.
"After this Get Innovation Moving, we want to further clarify the impact of the hundreds of inspiring research projects and innovations, and strengthen the link with the people of Brussels," says Innoviris.brussels. "A warm invitation to not miss anything of the richly filled programme of the next programme of the next I Love Science Festival, from 15 to 17 October 2021 !"
