testimonial Leif Fagernäs It has been brought to the knowledge of the Confederation on Finnish Industries EK that Helsinki region – the city of Helsinki together with Vantaa, Espoo, Kauniainen and Lahti – will apply to become the World Design Capital 2012. The aim of the World Design Capital contest is to emphasize and promote social, economic and cultural development of urban areas. Helsinki region has seized the opportunity and combined all its resources with other experts from design and business in a productive and innovative way with a clear goal to execute its new and creative ideas to develop the living conditions for citizens and entrepreneurs. Winning the status of the World Design Capital would give the Helsinki region a tool to use design in its innovation policy together with private sector actors boosting growth, entrepreneurship and creativity. The ideas would consequently diffuse largely to other urban areas and designers’ community globally. Finland’s innovation system is regarded as one of the best in the world. Finland’s inputs in research, development and education in terms of GDP are among the highest worldwide. Design is an important and essential element in the Finnish in-novation policy and its use has been effective. The cultural roots of Finnish Design are strong which contributes in a continuous search for new technological as well as service solutions. The Confederation of Finnish Industries strongly supports the Helsinki region’s application to become the World Design Capital 2012. The Confederation believes that design provides an excellent tool in promoting the development of urban areas in favour of their citizens. leif fagernäs Director General Confederation of Finnish Industries EK