John sits outside his house in the evening breeze and traces his fingers on the slate on his lap. It’s 2005, and he is learning to read with braille. John was born blind, but he would later come to experience the magical world that Shakespeare created through the braille versions of his books. Two centuries ago, all John could have gotten was oral stories or have someone read to him. Thanks to the invention of the braille system, he can read stories and get lost in his world. Even though newer technologies, such as smartphones and screen readers, are now replacing braille, braille was nonetheless a game changer for blind people.
Innovation changes our lives. Human creativity and innovation have positively changed the way we live and interact with the world. Creativity and innovation are often considered catalysts for progress and development, as they allow us to generate new solutions and ideas that can solve problems and improve our lives. Penicillin, the telegraph, and light bulbs are some of the innovations that shaped our current world.
World Creativity and Innovation Day, celebrated annually on April 21, aims to promote the use of creativity and innovation in solving problems and creating new possibilities for the future. This day is a reminder of the importance of creativity and innovation in our lives, not just as a means of entertainment or artistic expression but as crucial tools for progress and growth.
In a world that is constantly shifting, creativity and innovation have become more important now than ever before. As technology continues to advance at an astounding pace, new challenges and opportunities arise every day, and it is creativity and innovation that will allow us to remain at the forefront. From finding the cure for cancer to designing more sustainable and efficient infrastructure, creativity and innovation are essential to addressing the many multifaceted issues we face globally.
For a developing country such as Nigeria, creativity and innovation also have the potential to significantly increase the pace of development. As the UN recognises, creativity and innovation provide new momentum towards achieving the sustainable development goals. This is why we at FYCI are passionate about using the creative arts to drive social change.
At FYCI, we believe that creative art forms, such as music, drama, and poetry, are powerful tools that can elicit behaviour change. We also believe that youth, as the largest age group in Nigeria, can be used as agents to drive this change. From events such as the Creative and Life Skills Training for Youth to competitions such as the Young Voices Against SGBV Competition, we are using the creative arts to make a positive impact within our four programme areas: youth political participation, youth agency and self-esteem, gender rights, and anti-corruption.
Ultimately, World Creativity and Innovation Day is a day to celebrate the power of creativity and innovation and to encourage people to think outside the box. It is a reminder that we all have the capacity to come up with new ideas and solutions and that these skills are essential to addressing the many challenges we face as a global society. By embracing our creativity and innovation, we can create a better future for ourselves and for generations to come. We call on our readers, particularly young people, to embrace the unique potential they have to drive change in their society and beyond.
Happy World Creativity and Innovation Day!
