CREATIVITY and innovation are at the heart of societal progress. Across all communities, regardless of religion, nationality and colour, it is the efforts of individuals striving to improve themselves and the world around them that drive development. These creative and innovative actions benefit not just humans, but all living beings.
Artistic expression plays a central role in this process. Artistic works naturally capture attention, making them powerful tools for spreading ideas and inspiring change. Through art, creators and innovators produce more advanced and meaningful contributions that enhance lives. These individuals serve as true benefactors of society.
Creativity also plays a crucial role in addressing global challenges, from economic to social to environmental. Recognizing its importance, the United Nations designated 21 April every year as World Creativity and Innovation Day to raise awareness of how creativity and innovation influence every aspect of human development.
Creativity reflects our values and identity. It enriches cultural diversity and fuels both social progress and economic growth. UNESCO, through its 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, supports countries in strengthening their creative sectors and promoting artistic freedom.
The concept of the “creative economy” is broad and evolving. It is centred on the interplay between human creativity, intellectual property, knowledge, and technology. At its core, it involves knowledge-based activities that form the foundation of creative industries.
These industries, which span audiovisual media, design, new media, performing arts, publishing, and visual arts, are transformative drivers of the global economy. They generate income, create jobs, and boost exports. Culture is not only vital for economic reasons but also serves as a key part of sustainable development, identity, and innovation. It adds non-monetary value as well, fostering social inclusion, dialogue, and mutual understanding.
The United Nations highlights creative industries as among the most dynamic sectors globally. They offer developing nations the chance to leap ahead into high-growth areas, creating new opportunities and solutions for their future.
The 2025 theme for World Creativity and Innovation Day is “Think Different, Do Different for Better”. Creators and innovators have chances to think differently as well as do different things without anxiety to produce different kinds of masterpieces for society. That is why everybody needs to encourage individuals everywhere to embrace creativity and innovation as tools for personal growth and societal transformation. Supporting creative initiatives can lead to a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable world for all.
