World Creativity and Innovation Day

It is imperative we use creativity in problem-solving to address the challenges we face. Traditional thinking will no longer do, - Ambassador I. Rhonda King, Permanent Representative to the United Nations from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Nurturing a creatively competitive organization requires curiosity above all else. Asking the right questions is more important and more difficult than having the right answers.

Children are born to be creative, like eagles are born to soar, see the world, and find food, not scratch and fight for scraps in a coop. Instead of competing against each other on memorization tests, when children utilize their creativity to its full potential, creativity can contribute to healthy lives and future careers.

“… the ability to make connections across disciplines-arts and sciences, humanities and technology-is a key to innovation, imagination, and genius.” Walter Isaacson (2017) Leonardo da Vinci.

Creativity is making something unique and useful and often produces innovation.

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 27 April 2017 (A/RES/71/284):

"The General Assembly, Bearing in mind the Charter of the United Nations, including the purposes and principles contained therein, and the functions and powers of the United Nations system, especially in promoting international cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, educational and health fields ...

Recognizing also that citizens and organizations in more than 50 countries around the world already observe World Creativity and Innovation Day, which was first commemorated on 21 April 2002,

1. Decides to designate 21 April as World Creativity and Innovation Day;

2. Invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and individuals, to observe the Day in an appropriate manner and in accordance with national priorities, in order to raise awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in problem-solving and, by extension, economic, social and sustainable development;

3. Stresses that the cost of all activities that may arise from the implementation of the present resolution should be met from voluntary contributions;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non - governmental organizations and individuals."

Let’s use World Creativity and Innovation Day to strengthen our capacity to generate and consider new ideas, new decisions, new actions and new outcomes.

How to Celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Day?

Start the day out by brainstorming, sit down and think of all the things you do during the day and how you might change them for the better. Throughout your day keep a notepad handy for ideas that occur to you, whether they are for your own use, or ways that other people can do things better. Got an idea for your local municipality? Send it to them and let them know how you think it may benefit everyone. Got a new idea for your workplace? Inform your bosses and see what they have to say? Got a new plan for you? Set it in motion and see where your creativity gets you. World Creativity and Innovation Day could be the day that set your life on a whole new path!

Scott Adams: ”Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.”

Source: un.org | wciw.org