Research and Innovation Council discusses importance of research-based knowledge and role of RDI activities as a foundation for competitiveness
The Research and Innovation Council met for the first time in 2021 on Wednesday 10 February. The meeting was convened by Prime Minister Sanna Marin.
In the meeting, the Council discussed the role of research, development and innovation (RDI) as a basis for Finland’s competitiveness and the significance of research-based knowledge more broadly in society. The Council heard presentations on these themes by Professor of Practice Martti Hetemäki, Managing Director Aki Kangasharju, Academy Professor Kari Alitalo, Professor Tomi Mäkelä and Managing Director Mikko Myllykoski.
The presenters noted that boosting productivity growth in Finland will require an increase in research and development activities, investments by businesses and improvements to labour productivity. The Council stressed the importance of a long-term perspective when it comes to the development of RDI funding and the operating environment. A long-term commitment to RDI investments extending beyond government terms would also improve stability and predictability. Further key factors are Finland’s ability to attract and maintain international talent, the appeal of our operating environment, and our capacity for encouraging growth and strengthening competence clusters.
Finland has good foundations for promoting and utilising science in society. Attention should be paid to how we can get more and more people interested in science and lifelong learning, and how we can strengthen people’s connection to science in their everyday lives.
The discussion of the Research and Innovation Council was closely linked to a number of measures in the national RDI roadmap adopted in spring 2020. In the roadmap, the Government has set a target of increasing the share of research and development expenditure in the GDP to 4 per cent by 2030. The roadmap also emphasises continuous learning and the widespread use of society's resources and competence in RDI activities.
Inquiries: Joonas Rahkola, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister in Economic Policy Affairs, tel. +358 295 160 998 and Erja Heikkinen, Director, Ministry of Education and Culture, tel. +358 295 330 101