The RSA was born in the radical atmosphere
of an Enlightenment coffee house
some 260 years ago.
From the very beginning,
the RSA was the natural home
for those who wanted to build
a better society.
Our past Fellows are a roll call
of great thinkers,
innovators and social reformers.
Behind our doors today, you'll still find
a hotbed of new ideas and forward thinkers
who share a common purpose -
to enrich society through powerful thinking
and practical action.
Over the centuries,
we've helped lead innovation
in everything from education for girls
to the invention of the lifeboat.
The 21st century offers us new tools
for change and more power to use them.
Millions of people around the world
are in a better position
to turn their ideas
and aspirations into reality.
We call this the "power to create",
and we want to harness this capacity
to tackle some of our biggest
collective challenges.
The RSA's work on these challenges focuses
on three main themes.
We're bringing about a shift to give
more power to people and communities
so that they can better meet
their needs and ambitions.
We're pioneering new models of learning
to ensure that everyone in society,
regardless of background,
can generate original, valuable ideas
and make them happen.
And we're looking at new ways of building
a flourishing, fair and sustainable economy
that recognises the potential
in every individual.
Our 27,000-strong Fellowship
makes all of our work possible,
acting as a global community of advocates
for our vision and values.
Ideas born at the RSA are quickly
disseminated around the world,
with millions viewing our talks
and debates online.
Our Fellows can connect to a network
of tens of thousands of people
who share their desire to find
practical solutions to social problems.
With access to the brightest new thinking
from the RSA and around the world,
they can tap into resources
to help make their ideas a reality.
Fellows can meet
and collaborate at RSA House,
or find and connect with each other
through our website.
So, whether you are a pioneer of ideas
or simply want to support creative thinking
and be a part of one of the world's
great ideas factories,
join the 21st-century Enlightenment
at the RSA.
