The Map of Creativity is a user-friendly, interactive database of innovative educational projects throughout the world. Projects that represent educational best practice are recommended by leading educators and researchers, and users can actively rate new contributions to the Map. The Map of Creativity currently features over 400 projects, programmes and activities, and is expected to include many hundreds more as it evolves as a platform for educators and researchers.

The Map of Creativity is supported by the Next Generation Foundation, a private non-profit initiative to support innovation in learning. It does this by what it calls the three 'P's - Platform, Projects and Placements. The NGf supports innovation in education around the world by providing a platform for advocates of a 'creative society', initiating exemplary projects, and placing innovative educators from the developing world in leading research centres. The Next Generation Foundation was launched on March 20th in London with a performance of 'robot circus' at the WAC Performing Arts and Media College, itself an example of the innovative projects initiated and supported by the Next Generation Foundation.

At the centre of the foundation's work is the Map of Creativity - an interactive web-based tool which showcases innovative learning projects around the world. The Map of Creativity is currently the only tool of its kind which allows anyone involved in the learning process - from academics to parents, from museum curators to politicians - to see and share creativity in places from Australia to Zimbabwe. The internet site acts as a dynamic 'library' of innovative projects worldwide.

Projects that represent educational best practice are recommended by leading educators and researchers, and users can actively rate new contributions to the Map. The Map of Creativity currently features over 400 projects, programmes and activities, and is expected to include many hundreds more as it evolves as a platform for educators and researchers.

Commenting on the Map of Creativity, Dr James Bradburne, Director of the NGf, says: "The Map of Creativity is a lightning rod for creativity. There is fantastic work going on around the world helping to unlock human creativity. This internet site makes that work visible. It is just the first step in the Next Generation Foundation's work to help creativity in learning".

The Next Generation Forum was formed in 1998 by the LEGO Company and the Danish Think Tank The House of Mandag Morgen, with the "aim of creating among central decision makers in society, a new global commitment to children's learning, creativity and imagination." The purpose of this initiative was to explore the idea that children are a largely undiscovered human resource in modern society, that their potential must be set free, and that opportunities for children's learning and creativity must be expanded. The Forum brought together a group of international experts in the fields of child development and education, including Seymour Papert, Carla Rinaldi and Mitch Resnick, to serve as the advisory group for an international summit on creativity, learning and play.

The NGf mission is to help create a world in which creativity in all its forms is recognised as a central human value: as an essential part of psychological well-being, as preparation for a change-driven economy, as a fundamental skill of democratic society and as a defining characteristic of humankind. The political and economic dimensions of creativity are central to the NGf mission. Creativity is also at the heart of today's change-driven economy. More than ever, new approaches to learning are needed if society is to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Innovation is particularly important in developing countries where access to formal education is limited. However desirable, innovation can threaten the educational establishment. Internationally renowned educator Seymour Papert argues in the NGf Manifesto that "a society based on creativity may challenge fundamental educational concepts. In a rapidly changing society where most people are doing jobs that were not invented when they were young a different need may become decisive: citizens who can do what they were NOT taught."

In the coming years, the Next Generation Foundation plans to become a significant platform for discussion and a focal point for debate about innovation in learning, with a special emphasis on creating links, building partnerships and creating new networks to support innovative educators around the world.

Links

Next Generation Foundation/Map of Creativity: www.ngf.org.uk


November 2004

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