NRC Annual Report 2001-2002

N R C – F R O M D I S C O V E R Y T O I N N O V A T I O N...Our objective should be no less than to be recognized as one of the mostinnovative countries in the world. Achieving this will require a comprehensiveapproach, and the support and participation of all governments, businesses,educational institutions and individual Canadians… An innovative economy isessential to creating opportunity for Canadians.Speech from the ThroneJANUARY 30, 20014The impact of S&T in this new century shows no signs of diminishing. The challenges that faceour planet… economic and health disparities, the environment, the sustainable development ofnatural resources, bioterrorism, human health and disease… all depend for their solution onsustained public investment in research and innovation… The federal government has clearlyrecognized the important roles that science and innovation can play in underpinning futureeconomic growth. It has also recognized its central role and the opportunity in developing andsustaining a research enterprise that is connected to broader social and economic objectives.Investing in Excellence, 1996-2001A Report on Federal Science and TechnologyNational Research Council CanadaScience at work for CanadaResearch and innovation are critical to Canada’s futureeconomic growth and an improved quality of life for allCanadians. Canada must become known as a nation ofinnovators, one in which all sectors of society canbenefit from a globally focused, networked and innovativeknowledge economy. But innovation does notsimply happen – it requires long-term and strategicallydirected investments in research, people, infrastructure,networks and relationships.One of Canada’s important challenges is to unleash thevalue inherent in knowledge and innovation organizationslike NRC. The key to achieving this is aninnovation approach that mobilizes the public andprivate sectors, while integrating the elements of innovationat the international, national and communitylevels. There must be sustained and focused investmentsfrom all sectors for the creation of newknowledge and its use in Canadian industry. This effortmust span the research spectrum, from basic discoveriesthat advance the frontiers of knowledge, to thetransformation of knowledge into new products,services and technologies for world markets.With the launch of its Vision 2006 – Science at Workfor Canada, NRC is committed to providing leadershipin Canadian innovation and creating long-term benefitsfor Canadians.NRC will play a key role in helping Canada become oneof the top five countries in the world in research performanceand develop the knowledge foundation for theindustries of tomorrow.Working with industry, academia, and government, NRCwill increase the effectiveness of its innovation systemsby fostering national and international networks, andcommunity-based technology clusters.Such efforts will help betterCanada’s quality of life, improvethe environment, protect healthand create new sources of wealth.