Delhi is becoming the centre for innovation across a range of disciplines, including urban policy and planning, architecture, literature , community and social activism , and historical studies.

With this as a background, a new summer programme — 'Inspiring Delhi : the changing city' — is being conducted by Flow Associates in the Capital. The programme is open to students who are between 15 and 19 years. Students can apply by contacting Flow India or one of the programme partners: EdBrand or FICA. The course will be conducted at the FICA reading room, Defence Colony. Participants can check the website, www.flowindia.com for dates of the next session, which are yet to be announced.

Eliza Hilton, programme director, Flow Education and Culture Flow Associates Ltd, elaborates, "The focus of the programme is Delhi. We will look at how the city inspires practitioners and how they, in turn, impact our urban environment. The programme is a trans-disciplinary course that brings together various areas of thought and practice, spanning design , architecture, fine art, cultural theory, literature and philosophy. The programme will equip students with skills that will differentiate them in an environment that will increasingly demand analytical and critical thinking skills and the ability to synthesise vast amount of knowledge."

A UK-based organisation , it provides a range of interventions to support academic enrichment in schools based on the Flow Creative and Cultural Learning model in association with Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA).

The areas covered include the city as a muse, planning and its impact, contrasts and communities and a field visit to Old Delhi. Participants will be guided through an exploration , the idea of creativity and the city in the modern world, urbanism, the inter-relations of city-dwellers , etc.

"The methodology for the programme is based on socratic dialogue , and the group will explore ideas and gain knowledge together through discussions and shared goals," says Katherine Rose, founderdirector, Flow Education and Culture Flow Associates Ltd.

During the week, participants will work in groups as well as alone to build a sketchbook of ideas on how they would like to change, impact and reflect the changing urban environment of Delhi and NCR in a creative way. In the final part of the week, participants will bring their ideas together as a group to conceptualise, plan and present their idea for a creative intervention in Delhi. As to how it will help sudents , Rose adds, "This opportunity will allow students to gain confidence in critical thinking skills, presentation skills and personal skills."