I thought I should mention a leading institution in France that plays an increasingly prominent role in innovation education: the CNAM. The Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers was created in…1794! and has since been for many years the leading institution in executive technical education. Generations of people who had left school with no degree have been able to earn their engineering degree later on with CNAM’s evening classes, hence allowing them to go up the corporate ladder. More recently, the CNAM has added management to its course portfolio. The Chair of Innovation and the Center for Creation, innovation and Enterprise (http://www.innovation-cnam.org/ ) offers classes in the area of innovation management, covering all aspects, from creativity to project management. In particular, "Innovation Tuedays", held every Tuesday and animated by Marc Giget, has become a key event with a specific topic every week. The next session, on February 15th, will feature Jean-Jacques Doyen, Director of Technology and Innovation with Suez Group. In the CNAM’s tradition, conferences are free, but you need to sign-up beforehand.
– CNAM proposes another course called "the best practices in Innovation marketing" presented by Lionel Roure, featuring leading companies (www.cnam.fr/actualites/cycles/innovation.htm ) such as Apple, Baracoda, Valeo, Bic, Siemens, etc.
– Finally, let’s mention an interesting experience called "Experience 2035" (www.experience2035.org ). Experience 2035 is an exhibition travelling across France in a train, that tries to imagine how the world could be in 2035.
If you’re interested in contacting CNAM, get in touch with Lionel (email: roure at cnam.fr).