Representative bodies like the UN and democracies cannot easily put forward new ideas because new ideas are new and cannot be representative of current thinking. New ideas are therefore high risk.

Yet there is an absolute need for new ideas. Goedel's Theorem shows that logic is not enough. The mathematics of self-organising information systems (like the human brain) shows that such systems settle into a local equilibrium and remain stuck there.

Two thousand years ago China was far ahead of the West in science and technology but progress came to a dead end because scholars thought you could move from certainty to certainty. So they never developed the possibility system of new ideas, hypotheses etc.

Exactly the same thing is happening in the world today. We believe that more information, better analysis, sharper judgement and stronger argument will solve our problems. We seek to recognise a standard situation and then apply a standard answer. In conflicts we seek to argue our way forward. Our traditional thinking 'software' is excellent, just as the front left wheel of a motor car is excellent - but insufficient by itself.

May organisations are 'on the skids'
S.K.I.D.S. (Sufficient Knowledge Idea Deficit syndrome).

"When a new idea is needed no amount of excellence in the handling of old ideas will ever be enough." We need new ideas. We need to be able to design the way forward. That needs new thinking.

New thinking

...thinking that is constructive rather than critical
...thinking that emphasises design and analysis
...thinking that is perceptual as well as logical
...thinking that is creative not repetitive

That is why there is a real need for a Centre that is committed to New Thinking.

The World Centre for New Thinking is the initiative of Edward de Bono, who designed the formal creative tools of lateral thinking and parallel thinking and whose work is in use with thousands of schools and hundreds of businesses worldwide.

Functions of the World Centre for New Thinking

To provide a platform to make visible new ideas from any source. Once thought, an idea cannot be unthought.

To provide an organising focus for negotiations, task forces, conferences and roundtables to develop ideas on specified issues.

To provide creative facilitation for teams as requested. Also to provide training in formal creativity.

The World Centre was formally established on the 1st May, 2004 and inaugurated, with the support of the Malta Government, on 24th June 2004.