By its very nature, creativity is hard to define. It encompasses self-expression, problem-solving and a one-of-a-kind thinking process. With the UN’s 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals fast approaching, out-of-the-box thinking is exactly what we need. In that spirit, April 21st is celebrated as World Creativity and Innovation Day.   

The rise of the creative economy  

As the concept of creativity grows, so does the definition of “creative economy.” It engages human imagination to create and breathe life into an idea. In its simplest form, the creative economy gives the idea value in society. It involves fine art, filmmaking, advertisements, performance arts, publications, gaming, architecture and so on.    

What sets the creative economy apart is its cultural and social impact. It is a powerful tool for raising awareness, income generation and job creation. India’s Hindi film industry is one of the most popular examples. In 2020, it was valued at 183 billion Indian rupees. The industry involves a number of creators like filmmakers, actors, writers, artists and designers. Beyond this, it also generates opportunities for daily wage employees, caterers, production staff, and many more. This widespread opportunity generation alone shows us how essential the creative sector is in our journey towards sustainable development.   

The creative field also promotes self-employment and entrepreneurship. With the rise of digitisation, creative visionaries now have access to a global audience. Creators from developing countries have seen unparalleled growth on digital platforms. Growing concerns about piracy, plagiarism and copyright infringement have also birthed technological solutions like NFTs.   

The World Creativity and Innovation Day celebrates this interplay between human creativity and technology to promote an innovative new world.   

The relationship between culture and creativity  

All around the world, every tribe, village, or city has a unique local culture that defines who we are as people. It is in the language, the food, the way we behave, the goals and the dreams. It showcases the sheer diversity among human beings. Our culture undeniably plays a huge role in our everyday life.  

As highlighted by the UN, respect for cultural nuances is integral to the ideals of sustainable development. So, we must ensure that creative spaces remain diverse and inclusive. This promotes equal opportunities across genders and communities. It also allows us to shine a light on the local social and environmental issues.    

Additionally, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for sustainable development. Raising awareness about local issues also promotes problem-solving that is culture-sensitive. In other words, it pushes for innovative solutions that are effective at the grassroots level.   

Promoting innovation worldwide

How do you define innovation? It is often only seen through the lens of technological or digital creations. The concept of innovation, however, extends much further.  

This quick video talks about what innovation truly means:

The above video shows us that innovation is simply the pursuit of new ideas. It is a new way of thinking directed toward solving real-world problems. Innovation comes from creativity and aims at making a positive impact.  

It is also clear that innovation and entrepreneurship go hand-in-hand. If you want to learn more about the relationship between innovation and entrepreneurship, explore our free 10-part course.   

To reiterate, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship may just be the key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The growth seen so far (especially in developing countries) has already helped the nations make huge strides towards poverty eradication and economic growth. It has also helped create new opportunities across genders and marginalised communities.   

Moreover, this momentum has allowed the human imagination to thrive. In a world besieged by problems, this may be precisely what we need. After all, as they say, necessity is the mother of invention.