UKZN Extended Learning (UEL) will host two webinars to celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Week (WCIW) between the 15th and 21st of April, and World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID) on the 21st of April. WCIW is dedicated to celebrating all forms of creativity[1], while WCID was designated a day of observance by the United Nations in 2001, with the first celebration in 2002.
The notion that creativity should be utilised in everyday problem solving was first proposed by Marci Segal, who has been studying creativity since 1977. She recognised the need for new kinds of thinking to confront the challenges of the future[2]. Segal credits Dr Sidney Parnes, who mentored her, for the observation of WCID.
The United Nations recognised that an environment that encourages new thinking and creativity could assist in problem-solving and facilitate the achievement of the global Sustainable Development Goals[3]. United Nations, therefore, acknowledged WCID as a designated day in support of these goals. In 2006, WCID was extended to a week to allow for more time to use creativity deliberately. It then matured to WCIW, starting on Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday (15th of April). This date is symbolic as Da Vinci was arguably the most creative and innovative artist of his era[4].
The webinars will focus on creativity in education and will be facilitated by leading international academics in the areas of creativity and innovation, Dr Jim Friedman (Miami University, US) and Professor Stefan Hüsig (Universitat Chemnitz, Germany). Friedman is also the Chief Steward for WCIW and WCID. Gain insight into how you can tap into your creativity to be innovative in education by attending these webinars!
Details on the complimentary Webinars:
The Creative Classroom from Mindset to Skillset: Innovating Students for the Future
Facilitated by: Dr Jim Friedman
Date: Friday, 16th April 2021
Time: 12h00 (CAT time)
Brute Force Disruptions or Building Up Another Bubble? Government Driven Innovation in Education
Facilitated by: Professor Stefan Hüsig
Date: Tuesday, 20 April 2021
Time: 14h00 (CAT time)
[1] https://wciw.org/about-wciw/