15 YEARS | KNOWLEDGE4INNOVATION IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
04 | INNOVATORS MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2024
15 years of
Knowledge4Innovation
Forum in the European
Parliament
Dr Roland Strauss
Co-Founder, Knowledge4Innovation
For 15 years, Knowledge
for Innovation has been
our guiding principle,
emphasising the signifcance
of knowledge creation and
scientifc discovery. For the
EU, this will be ever more
important for maintaining
global competitiveness,
yet true progress depends
on transforming our robust
knowledge into tangible
innovations — digital, green,
and deep technologies. To
accelerate the green and
digital transition, our future
focus is on empowering
‘green pioneers’ the drivers
behind a future green
economy through advocacy,
impact investing and access
to world class knowledge.
If I were to rename K4I today,
it would be ‘Knowledge for
Innovation with Purpose.’ It
encourages us to consider
the sense behind our
actions and to clarify our
fundamental goals in life.
When asked by family and
friends about my work, I
used to explain that it is at
the crossroads of policy and
technology emphasizing the
importance of the fnancial
sector. While these are the
main drivers of any industrial
revolution or economic
model, there is a fourth
element that we used to
overlook and that is central
to the green industrial
revolution and our very
future: Nature.
If humanity wants to survive,
the need to account for
the exploitation of natural
resources and the damages
caused by pollution in
our economic and human
activities is non-negotiable.
Nature and its resources
form the foundation of our
existence. We cannot win a
battle with nature.
Thankfully, this challenge
is a collective one, ofering
a chance for unity and
collaboration rather than
conflict and war.
Let’s shape the future for
coming generations together,
now.