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UKZN Extended Learning (UEL) will host two webinars to celebrate World Creativity and Innovation Week (WCIW) between 15 and 21 April, and World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID) on 21 April.
The former is dedicated to celebrating all forms of creativity, while the latter 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. 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. 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 (15 April). This date is symbolic as Da Vinci was arguably the most creative and innovative artist of his era.
The UEL 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.
Details on the complimentary Webinars:
The Creative Classroom from Mindset to Skillset: Innovating Students for the Future
- Facilitated by: Dr Jim Friedman
- Date: Friday, 16 April 2021
- Time: 12h00 (CAT time)
- RSVP here
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)
- RSVP here
Words: Sarah Haffenden
Photograph: Supplied
