Scidev.net

Every year, the UN’s World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and partner institutions publish an index that ranks the innovation prowess of some 150 countries around the world. In this audio interview Francis Gurry, WIPO’s director general, explains how the diversity of innovation on the ground in India shows a need to think about improving the Global Innovation Index so it’s a better reflection of reality and better captures innovation in large, diverse economies, including China and the United States. The index needs to take into account activities at the grassroots, and countries’ local circumstances more generally, he said. Gurry’s reflection came as a consequence of attending the Festival of Innovation organised in Delhi by the National Innovation Foundation this month (4-10 March). Hosted by India’s president, the event brought together citizen inventors, students and experts from around the world gathered to discuss the country’s drive for inclusive innovation. Although India has risen 1