“Think outside of the Box, as there is no Box.” (Thienpondt, 2015) 

It reminds us to step outside of the box and do something different. As Leen Thienpondt, a former member of the Access and Diversity Expert Community of the European Association for International Education (EAIE), addressed in 2015, it is key for Everyone to generate new ideas, make new decisions, take new actions, and achieve new outcomes, to make the world a better, just, and inclusive place by expanding opportunities for everyone. Creativity and innovation do not take sides. It is important to welcome diverse perspectives and ideas with open minds and hearts.  

Diversity powers creativity 

Creativity and innovation are often used interchangeably, even though both are distinct concepts that work hand in hand. Creativity is imagining and creating original and new ideas; innovation transforms these ideas into the real world. Diversity powers creativity. Diversity is a broad and deep mindset that sees value in differences and diversity in others’ personal experiences. To solve critical problems, spaces are needed to foster an inclusive culture that encourages diversity of thought, ensuring visibility for ideas and innovation on a global scale when faced with global challenges.  

CHARM-EU’s commitment to growth via inclusive innovation 

CHARM-EU is creating an innovative university model aligning with CHARM-EU’s vision and mission. We strongly believe in the power of diversity to enrich the learning experience, academic debate, and knowledge creation and production. We see it as our social responsibility to foster an open, welcoming, and safe environment grounded in inclusivity, compassion, and mutual respect, where individuals from all backgrounds, lived experiences, circumstances and access needs can collaboratively learn, work and serve.  

Creativity and innovation are vital in achieving human history’s most ambitious development agenda, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. SGDs are deeply embedded into CHARM-EU’s and its Master’s in “Global Challenges for Sustainability”. We acknowledge structural barriers to exclusion and, step by step, work towards joint intersectionally inclusive efforts to tackle global challenges by seeking human rights-based and intersectional solutions with the cooperation of the wider community. Joint efforts of the CHARM-EU community and actors will foster the creation of a more just, inclusive education and society. We are committed to shaping minds and developing structures to realise the UN SDG’s values meaningfully. 

Joins us in raising awareness by using the hashtag #CreativityandInnovationDay on social media. Find more information by visiting the following link: World Creativity and Innovation Day – EN | United Nations 

References: 

• United Nations World Creativity and Innovation Day official website: World Creativity and Innovation Day – EN | United Nations 

• Thienpondt, L. (2015). Ignite© Bite-sized wisdom in five minutes. EAIE Annual Conference, Glasgow, United Kingdom.  

Credit:  

The contribution was prepared by Enikő Bíró, a student volunteer (ELTE BGGYK) in collaboration with colleagues from CHARM-EU Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Team.