The Houjarray Talks on innovation and European industrial strength

The Jean Monnet Association and the Maison Jean Monnet organised a Houjarray Talks seminar from 11 to 13 September 2026 in Houjarray, in the Yvelines, devoted to «Turning innovation into industrial strength».

The event brought together participants from across Europe: business leaders, entrepreneurs, representatives of European institutions, academics, specialists in finance and innovation, consultants and journalists. Their experiences in business and public policy gave rise to a shared question: how can European innovations be turned into a sustainable source of industrial activity, jobs and prosperity?

Following on from Mario Draghi’s report and the European Commission’s new proposals on innovation, the seminar was a response to the drive to boost European competitiveness. Faced with competition from the US and China, the organisers sought to bring together stakeholders from different countries and sectors to examine how Europe can harness its diversity to restore its industrial strength.

Presentations and discussions on the situation in Europe opened the proceedings on Friday 11 September. On Saturday, three parallel workshops adopted an interactive, network-based approach to discussion: everyone was able to put forward and compare their ideas and contribute to their collective development. A plenary session brought together the outcomes of these workshops with the experiences of different countries and professions. The workshops examined the specific capabilities and challenges facing Northern Europe, Germanic Europe and Latin Europe, as well as the potential for cooperation between them, in the spirit of Jean Monnet’s work with the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). The final day provided an opportunity to pool ideas and discuss a declaration.

Held in the house where Jean Monnet drafted the Schuman Declaration, the Houjarray Talks form part of this process of dialogue and cooperation amongst Europeans. Their aim is to bring together the experience of businesses, the knowledge of researchers and the expertise of public officials to develop concrete proposals that will transform European innovations into industrial strength.

A report proposing an extension to the work is currently being drawn up.