?It was so positive to try and think differently. I am sure it could help us improve the way we live,? declared Kailash Tilhoo from Royal College Port-Louis (RCPL) ? obviously still under the charm of the presentation made by Edward De Bono on ?Creativity for Today?s Youth?. The 800 or so Lower Six pupils attending the presentation appeared inspired by the stimulating approach of the thinker.

The one-hour talk by Edward de Bono was organised by the Mascareignes Academy of Law, Economics and Management (MALEM) in an attempt to ?groom the leaders of tomorrow and to promote creative thinking amongst the younger generation?. The minister of Education, Dharam Gokhool, pointed at the ?simple and down-to-earth? approach of the thinker for his ?lively and enjoyable presentation?. He also congratulated the students for interacting with the guest during the fifteen minutes questions and answers after the presentation.

For a whole hour, Edward De Bono managed to keep the attention of his young audience with his various illustrations and lively examples. Arvind Boodhoo from St. Andrew?s College pointed at the ?professional and lively style? of the presentation while his friend Ali Bhurtun made it clear that ?youngsters should be given such opportunities more often. It appears as a great support to our studies?.

Instead of putting forward mere arguments, Edward De Bono made a plea for the use of ?parallel thinking? aiming at looking into all aspects of the subject. ?In education, we tend to use only analysis. Analysis is fine but it is not enough. In order to move forward, you have to add creative thinking, design and perception in the way you have always thought,? the thinker commented.

He said thinking had to be ?used as a skill ? not as matter of intelligence. Your car might be very powerful how useful will it be if you are no good driver,? he asked to his captiva- ted audience.

He mentioned several ways of boosting the ability to think. Challenging a concept that already exists and look for alternatives is one of them. Provocation is another way of enabling the mind to move forward. ?Provocation allows to say something that can appear totally nonsense at first but which can lead to movement,? he explained. Chance is also a method through which Edward De Bono has obtained results through the use of random words. ?All these methods should not only be used for inadequate things but even for the most excellent concepts of today. They can help improve something which is already quite good,? he said.

<B>Best possible use of information</B>

At first sight, creativity is important to help problem solving, design, improvement and use of data differently only to mention a few. But in fact it appears as being the ?best use of information up to a certain point in time?. He made it clear, ?Creativity is essential, and it is not a luxury?.

Man has three different intellectual ages. ?Up to five, it is the ?Why? period; between six and ten years old, it is the ?Why not? period which is a very creative energy based on ignorance. As from eleven, it is the age of the ?Because,? he explained. ?Of course, we need the ?because? to move forward and take decisions in life but people often forget that the two previous steps remain as important,? he added.

For Aurélie Boucherville, the presentation was simply ?enlightening. It is true that we are not really creative in Mauritius and we should learn to develop that skill. I believe we all have it inside of us, it is just up to each of us to develop it,? she commented when she went out of the presentation. This pupil of St Andrew?s College knows it will ?take a lot of time but we have to implement some of these ideas to achieve a more original society?.

Her fellow, Ashley Purhooa, was impressed by this presentation, the more so as it was ?the first time I attend such a conference. I think we would gain a lot from implementing some of his advice.? Arshad Roojoo from RCPL thinks, ?We have to improve our creative thinking a lot. I agree with one of my friends who asked to Edward De Bono if creative thinking could be added as a subject to the curriculum. I am sure that it will help us a lot?.

Vanisha Gopaul and her friend Mehreen Ghoorun from Forest-Side Girls SSS agreed that they would try to develop their creativity through some of the advice and methods given by Edward De Bono. Their accounts teacher, Mr Sibdoyal, acknowledged that, ?as teachers, we often give the ?because? to pupils but we sometimes fail to explore the subject fully.

It will surely help us question our methods and do some progress?. As Edward De Bono pointed out, ?creativity is not a talent. It has a logical basis?. And can thus be developed.

<B>De Bono?s imaginary hats</B>

In order to achieve creative thinking and make sure subjects are fully explored, Edward De Bono thought of six imaginary hats. l the white hat to look into information, the red hat catering for feelings, intuitionand emotions

● the black hat for caution and risk assessment

● the yellow hat explores values and benefits

● the green hat for creativity which is looking for new ideas, possibilities and some lateral thinking

● the blue hat for organisation to set focus and put together outcomes.

● For Edward De Bono, it is only by looking into all these hats that people can achieve constructive thinking.