This is the fourth in the Nurturing the creative economy series of seminars organised by the British Council seminars. The focus of this seminar is on Challenges to Cultural Policy posited by the new understanding of creativity as an engine for economic development.
It will be held in Nairn, at the Newton Hotel, 2-8 March 2008, and will be chaired by Jo Burns (CEAP board member and Co-Director of BOP, arguably the UK’s leading creative industries’ consultants) and Andrew Senior (Senior Expert in the British Council’s Creative Economy Unit).
The seminar will bring together leading figures, largely from emerging economies, to discuss the major issues affecting the development of the creative economy both locally and globally. It will reflect on the following themes:
- The changing nature of culture, its relationship to heritage and the challenges presented by the digital and virtual
- the relationship between contemporary culture and the creative economy
- new models of distribution and consumption
- issues around subsidy, investment, access and ownership
- the relationship between culture and tolerance, diversity and experimentation – and how this affects growth of the creative economy
Over five days, participants will hear from invited international keynote speakers and panellists, including Chris Smith, who will share experience and provide insights. Participants will be encouraged to share their experiences through smaller group discussions and in feedback sessions with panellists. The convivial atmosphere of the venue and structure will provide individuals with periods of reflection and debate, as well as an inclusive social programme to allow discussions and networking to continue informally.
The seminar will take place in the Highlands and Islands region of Scotland. This region, seemingly on the fringes of the UK, is one of outstanding natural beauty, with a rich cultural tradition and fascinating social history. Whilst English is the principal language, there has been a resurgence in the Gaelic language and indigenous culture. Its cultural tradition and dispersed population have led to the growth of a strong creative sector within the region.
It promises to be a very exciting event, with significant potential to affect the debate around the creative economy both in your country and in its relationships with other economies: developing, transitional and developed.
We are very keen to ensure that the participants in this new seminar provide us with the breadth of vision and experience to allow a very high quality of debate. This means careful selection of participants – we have to ensure that the arenas from which participants are drawn reflects the breadth of the debate that we need, and want, to facilitate. We’re anticipating that participants will be:
- Ministers or senior civil servants from Departments of Culture, Economic Development, Trade, Education, Finance and Foreign Affairs or from agencies responsible for economic development, intellectual property rights or negotiations with World Intellectual Property Organisation, the World Trade Organisation, the World Bank or regional development banks
- Senior figures from within the creative sector – both creative entrepreneurs and creative individuals that have a significant influence in the public or private sector
- Senior academics working within the creative sector or lecturing in economics, law, sociology or culture that have a significant influence on decision takers
- More junior high flyers/fast trackers within these areas who may soon be in a position to make use of the knowledge.
There are only 24 places at this seminar. We are anxious to offer as many countries as possible the chance to participate, so at this time places are limited to one per country. However we will be happy to receive requests for more places. You may wish to send someone who has benefited from a previous seminar.
For further information please contact Beatrice Pembroke
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