“REAL WORLD UNIVERSITY” PART 2

--- oops!!! please read Part 1 below first, the previous entry ---

In line with # 8, I’m actually attending a conference here in Philadelphia called “The Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit”. It’s the reason I’m here.

I was actually planning to write about the conference after it finishes in three days, but I guess there’s just too much to share from Day 1 alone so I might as well get started.

Why did I attend this conference? How does it fit in what I want to do?

I begin with my starting point. --- let’s ask the question “What can Filipinos be really good at?” wherein “Be really good” is defined as “Ideally World-Class, with the minimum cost-of-entry being Regionally Competitive”

If it were up to me, I’d love for us to be absolutely excellent in Science and Technology (think Japan, South Korea, Taiwan), in Manufacturing (think China, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam?), in IT (think India), in healthcare/lifesciences (don’t really know). I don’t claim to fully have the data and depth of understanding of these industries and how we fare versus other countries but I do want to learn more (any comments / advise / info, email me please ruizmark@gmail.com)

Now, I’d like to discover and make bets in certain spaces that could be forthcoming. And when I scan the horizon, one place I’m going to bank on is Filipinos’ natural strength in creativity. I really really believe we’re inherently creative.

Now, attending this conference has made this space more appetizing. Let me be clear. The creative sector is not just arts and culture, as it can be narrowly misconstrued. As defined in this conference, “Every job where you think and/or generate ideas for a living is part of the creative economy.”

And so today, just to share the interesting topics / sessions I attended :

1. Overview of the Creative economy and the challenges ahead

Bottom-line, it’s one of the emerging sectors in the global economy. Developed Countries, especially US and England, are seriously developing programs to drive it . From other stuff I’ve studied, Asia is also getting on board. China is setting up “Design Parks”. I was in Thailand last month and I saw the concrete manifestation they’re entering this space - the Thailand Creativity and Design Center. Singapore is repositioning itself into a Creativity Hub as a source of growth. They’ve set-up the Ministry of Information, Communication, and the Arts. In fact, I met an Assistant Director who’s also an attendee here.

2. Higher education : Shaping the Creative Economy

There was a rich discussion here. Four different presentations running the gamut from design schools linking up with poor communities, attraction / retention strategies for university graduates to stay and work within the community, regional economic development strategies and programs, and setting up a “Creative Campus”.

3. Building and Sustaining Creative Cities

Cool track which was held off-site at the Atwater Kent Museum. Three presentors showed how they created city-wide programs to reposition them for the Creative Economy and thus drive regional prosperity and wealth. Bottom-line, how creative sectors can create valuable jobs.

4. How Big is the Creative Sector Economy?

Extremely interesting discussion from a consultancy company that’s linked to Richard Florida, one of the leading thought leaders in this space (he’s the author of “The Rise of the Creative Class”). It explained job trends/statistics, the creative sector, its economic contribution, and how regions/cities are developing programs to drive their own creative sectors. A bit uncomfortable in the Q&A’s section particularly when they talked of losing jobs to low-cost centers in Asia. Hello?

5. Christo and Jean-Claude and Dinner in the University of the Arts

This was just for exposure. We listened to two environmental artists. These people are really purists, absolute artists. They’d do anything in the name of their art. They don’t hesitate to think big, and it shows in their work. Suffice to say, I admire them, but I don’t envy them.

We ended with a networking dinner in the University of the Arts, which is a nice segue to my next point. Aside from the tracks, I’ve met some really cool people. I really didn’t hesitate to introduce myself and get to know them. Yes, makapal talaga ako.

In fact, I had a quick discussion with the author of “The Creative Economy”, one of the early pioneers who foresaw this emerging field and engaged him on the applicability of his ideas to a developing country such as ours. He intuitively explained yes, but seemed intrigued and wanted to further explore it. He asked me to continue the dialogue by sending him more information through e-mail. Whether he was serious and/or something will come out of this, I leave in God’s hands.

I’ve also met a score of other people whom I hope to keep in communication with. I always remind them - when I email you, just remember “that sole Filipino you met in the Philadelphia Conference”, hehehe. And i mean, all sorts of really smart and cool people doing smart and cool things.

Anyway, I’ll keep you posted as there are still two full days for this conference. Definitely more to learn and hopefully apply when I get back home.

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Whew! This has been such a long entry that I had to break this blog into two.

I’m energized by my trip here so far. Although I do miss home, I must admit that the travel, rest, and exposure is doing me a world of good. I’m sure I’ll be recharged once I get back and get on with my new life. It won't be a trouble-free ride, i'm sure. But i'm itching to get started.

Why not?