EDWARD DE BONO'S MESSAGES - 3rd April 2000

'Campaign for Constructive Thinking'

The human race has not really begun to think. So far we have been concerned only with 'recognising'. That is to say to recognise standard situations and provide the standard response. This works very well and has taken us far. But it is only one aspect of thinking. Yet it takes up one hundred per cent of education and almost ninety per cent of activities thereafter.

The result is that we operate far below the potential offered by science, technology, human ability etc.

I have just returned from South Africa where I am working to promote a 'Campaign for Constructive Thinking'. This would make more difference to any country than anything else that might be done. We have ample evidence that thinking can be taught to the most basic of people (never been to school for even one day) with profound effects on their work and personal lives. The World Bank should learn that investing in thinking is far more important than investing in dams. My meeting with them, some years ago, in Washington was extremely disappointing. They do not begin to understand the huge potential of the direct teaching of thinking. Five hours instruction in thinking can have more effect on an individual than seven years of traditional education and three years of University. How many people know this?

Edward de Bono nmt
3rd April 2000
Dubai

Edward de Bono's International Conference will be held in Malta from 26th to 29th July 2000 - immediately after the Fourth International Conference on Creative Thinking at the University of Malta. (Further information edwdebono@msn.com subject: conference)