Session on design thinking to mobilize

Science, Technology and Innovation for Social Challenges

Organized by JST-RISTEX (Japan)
Date: Sunday, February 20, 2011
Time: 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Facility: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 159AB.

IST was invited to participate in the 2011 conference (American Association for the Advancement of Science).  Sunday 20th of february Johan Evers participated as a speaker and pannel member at : ‘Design thinking to mobilize Science, Technology and Innovation for Social Challenges’.

The aim of this symposium was to highlight the innovative approaches towards address social challenges. There has been growing interest in promoting “social innovation” to imbed innovation in the wider economy by fostering opportunities for new actors, such as non-profit foundations, to steer research and collaborate with firms and entrepreneurs and to tackle social challenges. User and consumers are also relevant as they play an important role in demanding innovation for social goals but also as actors and suppliers of solutions. Although the innovation process is now much more open and receptive to social influences, progress on social innovation will call for the greater involvement of stakeholders who can mobilize science, technology and innovation to address social challenges. Thus, the session required to be approached from holistic and multidisciplinary mind and covered the issue from different aspects by seven international speakers.