ASEAN-UK Creative Economy Initiative Launched To Foster Regional Collaboration

The UK Mission to ASEAN and the British Council have launched the ASEAN-UK Advancing Creative Economy initiative, aimed at strengthening creative economies across the ASEAN region through collaboration with the UK.

The program focuses on professional development, knowledge exchange, and networking among policymakers and creative practitioners.

The initiative began with a policymakers’ roundtable in Jakarta earlier this year, bringing together thought leaders from the UK and representatives from all ASEAN member states. This marks a significant step forward in bolstering creative industries across the region.

UK Ambassador to ASEAN, Sarah Tiffin, said:
“The creative economy plays an important role in driving growth and innovation in the thriving partnership between the UK and ASEAN. We are excited to collaborate with the British Council and the ASEAN Secretariat to advance the sustainable development of creative networks throughout ASEAN. By combining our strengths and fostering collaboration, we can amplify the impact of creative industries, strengthen cultural ties, and pave the way for a brighter, more innovative future for both the UK and ASEAN.”

The ASEAN-UK Advancing Creative Economy initiative is delivered by the British Council with co-funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. It is also partnered with the ASEAN Secretariat. This initiative supports the goals outlined in the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025 and the ASEAN Strategic Plan for Culture and Arts 2016-2025.

British Council Country Director for Indonesia and Director of Southeast Asia, Summer Xia, said:
“This first-of-its-kind joint program between the British Council, UK Mission to ASEAN, and the ASEAN Secretariat aims to take a holistic approach to empowering ASEAN policymakers and creative economy practitioners. We aim to enhance the quality and diversity of festivals across the ASEAN region, foster cultural exchange between the UK and Southeast Asia, and provide valuable insights into the arts and creative sectors, a topic of growing interest in the region.”

The initiative comprises three key components:

• Professional Development Courses
  These courses will focus on creative economy policy development and festival management, offering tailored programs for policymakers, festival producers, and creative professionals.
• Knowledge Exchange Between the UK and ASEAN
  This strand will include delegations to the UK for ASEAN festival managers and policy development roundtables to promote collaboration between the two regions.
• Research into the ASEAN Arts Sector
  This will involve initiatives like a regional perception poll, mapping the arts and creative technology landscape in ASEAN, and mapping ASEAN festivals to provide insights for future collaborations.

The ASEAN-UK Advancing Creative Economy initiative also aligns with ASEAN’s Connectivity agenda, specifically its people-to-people connectivity goals under the ASEAN Master Plan on Connectivity. This program is one of many by the UK Mission to ASEAN, underscoring the strong partnership between the UK and ASEAN.

For more information and to sign up, visit: bit.ly/AdvancingCreativeEconomy