Seoul int'l conference underlines power of creativity, imagination
Currently, we are living in an era where knowledge, creativity, and imagination lead the world. New paradigms and creative strategies are necessary to refigure the competitive logic in the age of limitless competition especially under the circumstances of globalization.
As private businesses have long been focusing on original means of ‘creative management,' the public sector, including nations and cities, cannot thrive without it today.
Seoul, the capital city of Korea, is a dynamic city that carries the harmony with 600-year-long history and cutting-edge technology. In order to take the next great leap forwards and become established with a competitive edge on the global stage, it has been required for Seoul of a catalyst for the new challenge and paradigm. Such a stimulant was suggested in the form of Creative City Governance. In July 2006, the City of Seoul initiated a silent but revolutionary change, within its setup, by installing a creativity department in a bid to refresh the mindset of its civil servants and incubate a dynamic and creative organizational culture. As part of its efforts, Seoul City adopted New Personnel System, intensive personal reforms that value performance results rather than seniority and reward talented employees with a creative mindset. In addition, the government introduced New Audit System, a performance-driven and transparent assessment system, resulting in ranking Seoul as the most transparent local government in Republic of Korea.
Such moves have prompted displays of "creativity" across the field of the Seoul City Government workplace. Indeed, it has applied the creative ideas of its civil servants regarding the city governance and strived for a citizen-oriented administration by adopting the perspective of the citizens. Furthermore, it has brought the creative ideas of its citizens to life, reflecting them in its governance of the city. The ultimate goal of Creative City Governance is to increase the level of citizens' happiness and sharpen Seoul's competitive edge, as one of the world's top 10 global cities, by developing creative policies and services.
As 2009 marks the third anniversary of Seoul Creative City Governance, it would be both essential and urgent to seek a path to sustainable growth through analyzing the outcomes and reflections on Seoul Creative City Governance over the last three years, and to identify any challenges ahead and find how to meet them.
For this purpose, the City of Seoul is co-organizing the international conference on "Creativity, the Power to Change the World" in August 2009 with its strategic partners-INSEAD, Syracuse University, Samsung Economic Research Institute, Seoul Development Institute, and Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations. Experts from across the globe are being invited to share their passion and knowledge shaping the world in recent times. Some 300 scholars, businessmen, civil servants planning the urban policies of global cities, students from Harvard University and others around the world have been invited to attend.