Ranjan K Baruah
(With direct inputs from UN/WHO publication and feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)
Problems are everywhere, and though positive people call it a challenge, they’re still everywhere. From mere personnel issues to global issues like climate change, we could see challenges or problems everywhere around the world. If we cannot solve problems, it means we are creating more problems for ourselves and others. We need to be creative and innovative to solve problems, which can be individual problems or global problems.
We should know that there may be no universal understanding of creativity. The concept is open to interpretation, from artistic expression to problem-solving in the context of economic, social, and sustainable development. Therefore, the United Nations designated April 21st as World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID) to raise awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in all aspects of human development.
The creative economy, too, has no single definition. It is an evolving concept that builds on the interplay between human creativity and ideas and intellectual property, knowledge, and technology. Essentially, it is the knowledge-based economic activities upon which the ‘creative industries’ are based. The creative industries, which include audiovisual products, design, new media, performing arts, publishing, and the visual arts, are a highly transformative sector of the world economy in terms of income generation, job creation, and export earnings. Culture is an essential component of sustainable development and represents a source of identity, innovation, and creativity for the individual and community. At the same time, creativity and culture have a significant non-monetary value that contributes to inclusive social development and to dialogue and understanding between peoples. Today, the creative industries are among the most dynamic areas in the world economy, providing new opportunities for developing countries to leapfrog into emerging high-growth areas of the world economy.
On this day, the world is invited to embrace the idea that innovation is essential for harnessing the economic potential of nations. Innovation, creativity, and mass entrepreneurship can provide new momentum towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It can harness economic growth and job creation while expanding opportunities for everyone, including women and youth. It can provide solutions to some of the most pressing problems, such as the eradication of poverty and the elimination of hunger. Human creativity and innovation, at both the individual and group levels, have become the true wealth of nations in the twenty-first century.
Bringing UN stories to film and television The UN Creative Community Outreach Initiative (CCOI) is the first point of entry to the United Nations for film and television producers, writers, directors, and other content creators. The UN Innovation Network (UNIN) supports innovation projects led by humanitarian organisations where the expertise and technical know-how from the private sector have a role to play in solving humanitarian challenges. The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) seeks to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. Almost 300 cities around the world work together towards a common objective: placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their development plans.
There is no doubt that creativity and innovation are a must to solve problems and achieve the SDGs within the time frame. Together, we can bring about change when we innovate and think creatively. It has been seen that people who are creative get jobs easily or become successful entrepreneurs and encourage many others. Creative thinking is also one of the core life skills that are essential to success in life. Let us try to be creative and innovative, bring changes to our lives, and transform our world in a sustainable way.