Ruta Prusiviciene, General Director of Vilnius Festival and EFA Board Member, will represent the European Festivals Association (EFA) in the 7th Brussels Debate organised in the framework of the European Year for Creativity and Innovation. The Debate entitled “Towards a creative Europe: What role for creative industries?” takes place on 19 November 2009 in Brussels. The 7th edition of the 2009 Brussels Debates “will focus on the potential of the creative industries for both economy and society. The question of maximising positive links between creative industries, the rest of the economy and their contribution towards the whole society will be at the centre of the discussion. During this period of economic crisis, there is growing political recognition of the importance of the creative industries in the new ‘experience economy’,” states the Commission website. “However, in practice, the potential of this sector as a motor of the economy remains underexploited. This debate will take a closer look at how these industries could be better used as a conduit for innovation for society as a whole and what their place could be in the future European innovation strategy.” Françoise le Bail, Deputy Director General, DG Enterprise, will open the debate with a keynote speech, followed by a panel debate. Next to Ruta Prusiviciene the following speakers participate in the discussion: • Hasan Bakhshi, NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts), UK • Telmo Faria, mayor of Obidos, Portugal • Anne-Marie Boutin, president, APCI (Agence pour la promotion de la création industrielle), France The Debate takes place on 19 November 2009 from 17:00 - 19:00 in Brussels (Résidence Palace, Polak Room, Rue de la Loi 155, 1040 Brussels).