From 2–4 October 2024, we participated in the World Conference on Creative Economy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, as a knowledge partner. The conference brought together global experts, policymakers and creative leaders to discuss the role of creative industries in driving innovation and sustainable development.
As part of our commitment to developing the creative economy, together with the Global Creative Economy Council (GCEC), we curated five sessions that addressed its critical challenges and opportunities. By bringing together experts and speakers from the UK and across Central Asia, we ensured the sessions were both locally relevant and infused with global best practices.
These sessions provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, shared insights and explored how the creative industries can foster positive change in diverse communities, both locally and globally.
Highlights
Session 1 – How to reframe the value of creative industries and boost impact investment in the region?
This session explored how to attract long-term investment by reshaping the value of creative industries. Experts shared insights on impact measurement and key metrics for fostering sustainable development.
Speakers: Nastia Goncharova (Independent researcher, Kazakhstan), Indira Uzbekova (Regional Funds Manager at Accelerate Prosperity in Central and South East Asia, Kyrgyzstan), Andy Pratt (UNESCO Chair of Global Creative Economy and Professor of Cultural Economy, City, University of London, UK), Laura Callanan (Founding partner, Upstart Co-Lab, USA)
Moderator: Daniar Amanaliyev (Co-founder and Band Master of the ololo group, Kyrgyzstan)
Session 2 – A global perspective on the creative economy
GCEC members discussed emerging global trends, intermediary agencies and the role of hubs, with a focus on aligning creative policies with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Speakers: Daniar Amanaliev (Co-founder and Band Master of the ololo group, Kyrgyzstan), Avril Joffe (UNESCO Chair in Cultural Entrepreneurship and Policy at the Department of Cultural Policy and Management, Wits School of Arts, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa), Andrea Dempster Chung (Co-founder and Executive Director of Kingston Creative, Jamaica), Laura Callanan (Founding partner, Upstart Co-Lab,USA)
Moderator: Jairaj Mashru (Innovation and Strategy expert, India)
Session 3 – Bridging education and practitioners: lessons and prospects for creative industries
UK and Uzbek experts highlighted the need to integrate academic learning with hands-on experience to better prepare graduates for the creative economy.
Speakers: Umida Zunnunova (Professor of the National Institute of Fine Art and Design named after Kamoliddin Behzod, Uzbekistan), Anastasios Maragiannis (Associate Head of the Design Creative and Digital Industries College, Uzbekistan)
Moderator: Viren Lall (Managing Director of ChangeSchool, UK)
Session 4 – Empowering local economies: The impact of creative interdisciplinary projects beyond the capital
This session showcased how interdisciplinary projects are revitalising smaller cities, driving local economies and sparking innovation.
Speakers: Malika Urazgalieva (Creative Producer, Director and Co-founder of the YEMAA Centre of Contemporary Culture, Kazakhstan), Yaroslav Minkin (Co-founder of LLC ARTSTATION and the NGO STAN, Uzbekistan), Rebecca Swarray (Senior Policy Officer in the Creative Culture and Nighttime Economy team at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, UK)
Moderator: Rehana Mughal (Director of Creative Economy at the British Council, UK)
Session 5 – The creative economy in action, practical policies for growing the creative economy
GCEC members shared successful creative economy initiatives from cities across Africa, Asia and Latin America, focusing on policy strategies, festivals and investment.
Speakers: Leandro Valiati (Researcher, lecturer and knowledge exchange global leader in Creative and Cultural Industries, Brazil), Jairaj Mashru (Innovation and Strategy expert, India), Omag Nagati (Practising architect, urban planner and the Co-founder of CLUSTER, Egypt), Jon Zeff (Independent policy expert and Chair at the Advisory Board for the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, UK)
Moderator: John Newbigin (Mayor of London’s Ambassador for the Creative Industries and a first Chair of the GCEC, UK)
You can view photos from the event on our Flickr account and access the speaker presentations in the ‘Downloads’ section below.