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LOCAL Thursday 29 November 2018

Creativity, the 21st century skill to have?

Continued from Page 14 Children are now more than ever exposed tech- personal level. Implementing a CCI is not only
nology, so the need for creative development the government’s job, it also requires the com-
Many students go abroad after their high school should be there to balance out the changes. munity’s awareness and involvement. In the
education to pursue knowledge and a degree Change is not bad! Technology is not the en- end, we want positive sustainable develop-
to one day make their own contribution. De- emy! But creativity is power, gives opportuni- ment for our island. Now, we know we should
veloping a CCI would offer a platform for other ties, is necessary and is needed. Anne Powers include creativity to our bag of tricks! q
types of competencies and skills to shine. The ends and states that “the key to staying ahead
technological and design industries have been and participating in the creation of the future is
becoming iconic pillars in many industries and our own creativity. We must embrace and de-
economies around the world, and Aruba should velop our creativity, and then use technology
not discard that. We want our students to come creatively solve problems of the world” (2018).
back, but they need adequate jobs for that to Aruba, as creative as we are as a people, we
happen. We need to match their skillset within should take one for the team. Take one for the
the Aruban labor market. future generation before we are too late.

Besides the fact that the CCI could provide I end today’s column with some thoughts,
more skillful jobs, an important aspect to this is let’s sit and think about these questions for a
the realization that the age we are living in is while:
a very progressive and technological one. We - How many students are studying
are living in the social media age, an age where abroad?
everything is becoming less personal and more - What are they studying? Is it possible
automated. Each decade, more and more jobs for them to return to Aruba?
are being replaced by robots and more tech- - Are our children exposed to creative
nological advanced mechanisms. However, skill development on an early age?
this is where creativity raises the bar. According - Does our community value creativity?
to Anne Powers of Forbes, “Ultimately a com- - Is the Aruban Market ready for the
puter lacks imagination or creativity to dream 2020 skill shift?
up a vision for the future. It lacks the emotional
competent that a human being has. Thus, cre- Aruba is an island of potential, an island of
ativity will be the skill of the future” (2018). resilience. Aruba and its people wants to see
growth and economic stability. With a CCI
At this point it is almost impossible to deny the Aruba could not only create more income, but
technological changes that are occurring daily. it can make an impact on an induvial level, a