Introduction
Anticipating the European Year of Creativity & Innovation 2009, The Edward De Bono Foundation UK in partnership with Smart City Futures presented two interlocking streams of events which took place in Manchester higher education establishments over the week of 10-14th November 2008. All related to the theme of "Creativity and Innovation" and were by invitation only. These events interweaved and reinforced each other, and resulted in the forming of key questions of relevance for the development of a sustainable city region.
Each day of the week was hosted by a different institution, or department and was focussed on creativity and innovation around one of the three themes from Smart City Futures. For further information generally, please contact Sophie Brown Creative Director, The Edward de Bono Foundation UK.
Online Newsroom and Media Enquiries
In the spirit of creativity and innovation we created The Edward de Bono Foundation UK online newsroom which includes press releases, background information and biographies. For all media enquiries please contact Gemma McNeilis of Smith & Smith PR, tel: 0161 236 5560.
Monday 10th November
Manchester Metropolitan University's Research, Enterprise and Development group presented a workshop on the theme of "Preparing World Class Professionals" to contribute to the innovation and creativity of the City Region. Contact Sarah O' Donnell for more information.
Presenting the results of one of the thinking sessions at Innospace, MMU Business School.
Tuesday 11th November
The Edward de Bono Foundation UK Launch of the Centre for Serious Creativity & Constructive Thinking at Manchester Metropolitan University's Crewe Campus, took place, with a keynote session by Dr. Edward de Bono (invited guests only).
Opening Event - from right: Andy Jones, Dean Institute of Education MMU, John Brooks, Vice Chancellor MMU, Dr. Edward de Bono, Robert Rawlinson, Chief Executive, The Edward de Bono Foundation UK, Dennis Dunn, Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of Cheshire campus MMU
Wednesday 12th November
Manchester Metropolitan University's Centre for Innovation and Enterprise joined forces with the Business School to present a day of workshops on the theme of "Creatively think your way through the current financial crisis". Contact Janine Acott or Angela Kerr for more information.
A round table discussion with Dr. Edward de Bono and members of the Foundation.
Thursday 13th November - Morning session
"Developing Community Empowerment" - The week moved to Salford University, with facilitated workshops for community and academic representatives. The morning session was held in the Think Lab and addressed the topic of links between the community and the University of Salford.
Nigel Newman, De Bono Lifetime Master Trainer facilitating a session with Academics and Community leaders at the Think Lab, Salford University.
Thursday 13th November - Afternoon session
The afternoon session saw fourty local school children who had already worked with the Six Thinking Hats at school, looking at the same issues from their perspective. Contact Anna Higson for more information on Salford events.
Professor James Powell, Pro Vice Chancellor, Salford University with children from a local school wearing the Six Thinking Hats.
Friday 14th November
The Manchester College ran a results-focussed seminar led by Rob de Haas from The School of the Future, Netherlands, on "Shaping Creative and Media Skills" - How to build meaningful links with creative and media industries to engage the workforce of the future. Contact Maggie Karwat for more information.
Tim Benson, Vice Principal, The Manchester College, introducing participants from the creative media sector to the event.Smart City Futures
The Universities of Salford, Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan and Manchester College have formed an academic coalition to work in partnership with civic leaders, professionals and citizens in the Greater Manchester Region and beyond to forge stronger relationships between academics, businesses and the community. This is an innovative drive to identify issues, share knowledge, and produce solutions to keep this thriving city-region at the forefront of policy, strategy development and decision making within the UK and as a model for regions throughout the World. See www.smartcityfutures.co.uk for more information.