Creativity and innovation, at both the individual and group levels, have become the true wealth of nations in the 21st century. World Creativity and Innovation Day (#WCID) is a global UN day celebrated on April 21 to raise awareness around the importance of creativity and innovation in problem-solving with respect to advancing the United Nations sustainable development goals, also known as the “global goals”. The day was created with UN resolution 71/284 with the support of 80 countries. The first World Creativity and Innovation Day were celebrated on 21st April 2018.
Creativity and innovation are beneficial in every walk of life, and every career. From those in customer service finding ways to improve their customer’s experience, scientists who’s every workday is filled with learning new things about the world and finding new ways to apply it, to politicians who could use their creativity to find new ways to solve problems and aid the public. World Creativity and Innovation Day encourage everyone to imagine a different world with different solutions. The creative economy which includes audiovisual products, design, new media, performing arts, publishing, and visual arts is 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, to dialogue, and understanding between peoples. The purpose of the day is to encourage creative multidisciplinary thinking at the individual and group levels which, according to a special report on the creative economy by UNESCO, UNDP, and UNOSSC, has “become the true wealth of nations in the 21st century.” On #WCID, 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 for economic growth and job creation. It can expand opportunities for everyone, including women and youth. It can provide solutions to some of the most pressing problems such as poverty eradication and the elimination of hunger.
