On November 24, the International Mission Conference in Copenhagen will explore how missions can move from ambition to impact in Europe’s innovation agenda.
Building on Danish and international experiences, Innovation Fund Denmark and Aalborg University are hosting a conference that blends political perspectives with concrete examples, bringing together leading international actors – including the OECD, Topsoe, the European Innovation Council and the European Commission.
Through critical and constructive debate, the conference will explore:
- Mission-oriented innovation in practice
- Opportunities and limitations of the mission approach
- Public-private collaboration for societal challenges
- The future of mission-oriented innovation in EU policy
The conference is expected to engage participants, including policymakers, knowledge institutions, funding organisations, and companies from innovation ecosystems across Europe.
The event takes place in the lead-up to the Innovation Conference hosted by the Danish Ministry for Higher Education and Science in collaboration with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
Moderator: Simon Pickard, Network Director, Science Business
Programme
11.30-12.00: Registration and Networking Lunch
12.00-12.10: Opening remarks
by Philipp Schröder, Board member of Innovation Fund Denmark, and Per Michael Johansen, Rector of Aalborg University
12.10-12.40: Fireside chat #1: Mission-driven Innovation in Europe – Opportunities and Challenges
What role can mission-oriented innovation policies play in tackling Europe’s societal challenges and strengthening its research and innovation landscape. In this opening fireside chat, two leading figures from the European innovation community will share their perspectives on the opportunities and limitations of the mission approach, and what that could mean for policymakers moving forward. The session will open up key questions and dilemmas that later case presentations will build upon.
Speakers:
Therese Bording Hermann, Head of Global Public Affairs, Topsoe
Thomas Osdoba, Program Director, NetZeroCities
12.40-13-10: Fireside chat #2: Mission-driven innovation in Denmark – Translation into Practice
Across Europe, many are asking how to make mission-oriented innovation more than a policy slogan. Denmark has been one of the first countries to take on that challenge systematically — testing how national mission programmes can mobilise research and innovation in new ways.
This fireside chat brings together two key perspectives on that journey. Together, Cecilie Brøkner and Thomas Bak will reflect on what Denmark’s experience can teach us about translating policy into practice — and what it takes to sustain missions over time.
Speakers:
Cecilie Brøkner, CEO, Innovation Fund Denmark
Thomas Bak, Dean, Aalborg University
13.10-13.55: Missions in practice: Case Studies
Jesper Sand Damtoft, Chair of INNO-CCUS and Group Sustainability Director, Cementir Holding (Aalborg Portland)
Michael Rathleff, Professor, Aalborg University
Rob Raven, Professor of Sustainability Transitions, Monash University, Australia
Panel-style discussion with presenters led by moderator. Focus on cross-cutting insights into missions, with an emphasis on their relevance at the European level.
13.55-14.25: Break - Coffee and Cake
14.25-14-40: Missions in policy: Making the right choice(s)
Teis Hansen, Professor, University of Copenhagen, and Member of Danish Expert Group on the Contribution of Research for the Green Transition
14.40-15.30: Mission-oriented innovation in the next Multiannual Financial Framework: Paradoxes and possibilities
Panelists:
- Marion Jamard, Policy Officer, Common Missions & Partnerships, DG RTD, European Commission
- Cheryl Martin, CEO, Harwich Partners, former Acting Director of ARPA-E
- Piret Tõnurist, Innovation Lead, OECD Mission Action Lab
- Michiel Scheffer, President, Board of European Innovation Council
15.30-15.35: Closing Remarks
by Philipp Schröder, Board member of Innovation Fund Denmark, and Per Michael Johansen, Rector of Aalborg University
15.35-16.00: Networking - Drinks
For more information about the conference
Contact Raphael.Matias.Christensen@innofond.dk
