Creativity and Innovation for the 21st Century: From Theoretical Vision to Effective Action

Is there a set of core principles common to the creative process that cuts across biological, social, and technological evolution; the psychology of creativity; and philosophical and spiritual enlightenment and wisdom? And can we harness these principles to facilitate the necessary innovative actions and policies to address the challenges and problems in the world today and further our collective evolution? Of special note, how do we bring an understanding of creativity to bear upon such issues as technological innovation, personal futures, world peace, future consciousness, and the educational challenges we face in the world? In this panel discussion, drawing upon contemporary scientific research and philosophical thinking, we will introduce a core list of foundational principles for creativity and illustrate through a set of concrete and practical examples how to apply these ideas. We will leave ample time after our series of short presentations for discussion and brainstorming.

Who should attend: Educators, scientists and technologists, social and political activists, philosophers, counselors and psychologists, students, and anyone interested in the nature of creativity.

What you’ll learn: Key common principles of creativity and a variety of examples of how such principles are applied to diverse human areas.

How this new knowledge can be applied: Theoretical and practical knowledge can be applied to all areas of human endeavor, in particular educational programs that highlight heightening future consciousness and creative action.

Tom Lombardo, founder and executive director, Center for Future Consciousness; retired faculty chair of Psychology, Philosophy, and the Future, Rio Salado College, Scottsdale, Arizona

Raymond Todd Blackwood, director of technology, University of Advancing Technology, Tempe, Phoenix, Arizona

Linda Groff, director, Global Options and Evolutionary Futures Consulting, Playa del Rey, California

Jeanne Belisle Lombardo, co-founder of the Center For Future Consciousness; assistant director of Community Partnerships at Rio Salado, Scottsdale, Arizona

key words: creativity, evolution, human society, technology, education, future consciousness
issue areas: Society and Culture, Learning and Education, Technology and Science