2009 JOINT CONFERENCE OF EUROPEAN CONFUCIUS INSTITUTES - CONNECTING & DEVELOPING - LEUVEN, BELGIUM - 18, 19, 20 OCTOBER 2009

Most organizations still cling to the so-called Invention Model, a model centered on the idea that innovation must principally reside within their own four walls.

Recently, a radical strategy of open innovation based on the concept of Connecting and Developing has been introduced. It shifted companies' attitude from resistance to innovations 'not invented by themselves', to enthusiasm for those 'proudly found elsewhere'.

Connecting and Developing is about finding good ideas and integrating them to enhance and capitalize on internal capabilities. The model works. Today it produces many innovations and billions of dollars in revenue.

We strongly believe that this approach will also blow a favorable wind of innovation and growth through the Confucius Institutes in Europe.