Documentation

N.I.C.E. Vernissage
Welcome speeches
Speakers at the Vernissage of the N.I.C.E. Exhibition
Photo: BVMI/Markus Nass
Photo: Sebastian Drüen
Photo: Kerstin Stelter
Photo: charleslandry.com
Prof Dieter Gorny
(Managing Director,
european centre for
creative economy)
Karl-Uwe Bütof
(Head of Department in the
Ministry for Economic Affairs,
Energy and Industry of the
State of North Rhine-Westphalia)
Karola Geiß-Netthöfel
(Managing Director,
Regionalverband Ruhr
(Ruhr Regional Association))
Charles Landry
(Founder, Comedia)
“The focus of the N.I.C.E. Award 2015 is to
honour digital, cultural solutions to the challenges
of this world and to present best practice examples
from throughout Europe,” says Prof Dieter Gorny the
night before the Forum d’Avignon Ruhr. In the course of
the vernissage of the N.I.C.E. Exhibition, he explains that
the N.I.C.E. Award is meant to bring significant added
value to the scene: “All too often, we discuss social
challenges in North Rhine-Westphalia and in Europe. And
yet there are some people who have already developed
projects leading to creative solutions and innovations for
different fields of activity. Those are covered by the
N.I.C.E. Award just as much as the impulses and dynamics
evoked by these projects.” Prof Dieter Gorny points
out that in times when it is hard to grasp Europe as a
union, inspiration and cooperation across national
borders have not only become an important driver for
innovation, but also support the European idea. “So
that’s why it has become a tradition, a symbol, if you will,
to open the Forum d’Avignon Ruhr with the exhibition of
the N.I.C.E. Award.”
“Dear nominees,” concludes Prof Dieter Gorny his speech,
“you are important co-creators of international cooperations
and drivers for innovative approaches – while others
just talk about things which would not exist without your
work. And this is a perfect example for the Forum d’Avignon
Ruhr and its framework programme – after all, both
the vernissage and tomorrow’s conference will be held
at the same place, the Northern part of the Inner City of
Essen (Creative.Quarter City Nord.Essen), where change
is taking place every day thanks to active and personal
commitment.”
Karl-Uwe Bütof also focuses on the location where the
Forum d’Avignon Ruhr takes place: the Creative.Quarter
City Nord.Essen. He himself had lived in Essen for 30
years, and he still thinks often about the mentality, the
culture and the economic developments in North Rhine-Westphalia
and in the Ruhr region in particular. He
agrees with Garrelt Duin, Minister for Economic Affairs,
Energy and Industry of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia,
that specific, positive examples from stakeholders
who make the change tangible are important for
the future of the region. “In my position as head of the
Department for State Economic Policy, Industry, Service
Sector and Clusters in this Ministry,” continues Bütof, “I
am aware of the fact that the N.I.C.E. Award is founded
on an exemplary European cooperation; at the same time
it is an excellent initiator of innovation. You can say that
this award has already established itself.”
According to Bütof, the innovation potential of the creative
industries is not yet fully recognised in large parts
of North Rhine-Westphalia. He strongly hopes that this
will change soon. Because the Cultural and Creative
Industries are a driver for change, also with respect to
the labour market, and they are an indispensible part
of the economic reality – today and in the future. “The
obvious diversity of both the submitted projects and the
nationalities of applicants, finalists and participants of
the N.I.C.E. Award send a clear signal with respect to the
industry’s cross-national hunger for innovation. The entire
federal state will benefit from this networking notion
symbolised by this award within the context of the Forum
d’Avignon Ruhr.” In the same sense, the City of Essen and
the rest of Europe will benefit from this spirit of change
and cooperation. “I personally find it very stimulating
to take in all these inspirations,” concludes Bütof. “The
entire Forum d’Avignon Ruhr makes me look forward to
the future and raises awareness for the social task of the
Cultural and Creative Industries.”
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