In this interview with the Social Observatory of "la Caixa" Jen Snowball shares her reflections on the value created by the art and culture sector and the concept of “culturally sustainable development”.

A performing arts-based programme that integrates social, educational and cultural action.

To what point is it considered important to have new ideas and to be creative? In 2014, some 62% of Spanish citizens considered it was important to have new ideas and be creative.

The importance given by citizens to the capacity for understanding people who are different varies in the different European countries. In 2014, some 74.5% of the Spanish population considered it was important to understand people who are different.

Culture was one of the main reasons for 29% of the Spanish population when it came to planning holiday travel in 2015. Three points above the European average.

How does the presence of immigrants influence the country’s cultural life? In 2014, some 49% of Spanish people considered that the presence of immigrants enriched the country’s cultural life.

Reasons such as timings and distance may complicate the access of citizens to cultural spaces. In 2012, some 32% of the population of Spain considered it was difficult to access cultural services, 4 points higher than the European average.

What is the opinion of citizens regarding the cultural spaces available in their places of residence? This indicator shows in which European cities the residents appear to be most satisfied.

The two books reviewed share concerns regarding the decline of the USA and show the problems facing the country. From different perspectives, both reach the same diagnosis regarding American society and the danger that threatens democracy.

In this interview granted to the Social Observatory of “la Caixa”, Hasan Bakhshi shares his reflections on the creative economy and on the value of culture as an element that generates wellbeing, wealth and social cohesion.

What is the relationship between social background and quality of employment? We analyse whether, independently of education, family background is a conditioning factor in finding a good job and whether the crisis has influenced this situation.

In Spain, smoking and road accidents are responsible for an important loss of years and quality of life. Have the legal measures taken in recent years had any effect on this problem?

A programme that transfers innovative health research results to society by promoting the creation of companies, products and services.

From an economic viewpoint, innovation is considered to be an engine of growth because of its capacity to generate wealth and employment, a focus that has gained prominence since the start of the financial crisis in 2008. This review by the “la Caixa” Social Observatory comments on two books that analyse this issue from very different perspectives. 

Spain’s Secretary of State for Research, Development and Innovation, Carmen Vela, describes in this interview the strengths of the current system and highlights those fronts being worked on with regard to the medium and long term.

A large difference exists between the productive activity of men and women, especially when the latter are mothers and devote considerable time to managing the household and caring for children and dependent elders.

Historically, technology has transformed many professions. How will technological development affect future employment? The Social Observatory of “la Caixa” analyses the situation in Spain with regard to “risk of computerisation”.

Science is a very relevant activity in economic terms, which also has a very favourable social perception. However, Spain invests less in R&D than the rest of the European countries, confirming a gap between citizens' attitudes and the will of politicians and businesses.

Is it countries with resources that make the biggest investment in science? Or is it that countries that devote the most efforts to science are those that generate the greatest wealth? This is the opening question of the third "la Caixa" Social Observatory Dossier, which analyses the current social context of science and to what extent it represents a value-added contribution to our society. 

On the global economic map drawn up by the financial crisis of 2008, the emerging countries are displacing the developed countries in the attracting of foreign investment in R&D. What factors influence this phenomenon and how does it affect countries such as Spain?

In what areas will science and technological innovation have a positive impact in the next 15 years? The view of citizens.

Open Access means the online and free availability of the results of research. In Spain, the proportion of accessible and restriction-free documents stands above the European Union average.

This indicator offers a view of the distribution of university research work between men and women. Women represent just 21% of chair professors.

What is the percentage of people employed in knowledge-intensive activities? In Spain, approximately a third of the population, slightly below the European average.

How many students aged over 15 years have excellent results in sciences and how many hope to undertake a research-related career? In 2015, some 28.6% of Spanish students wanted to work in a scientific profession.