Introducing the Global Creative Economy Council: A new initiative spearheaded by Hasan Bakhshi and Rehana Mughal
The Global Creative Economy Council (GCEC) is a powerful network of local leaders from various sectors of the creative economy, established through a partnership between the British Council and Creative PEC [1]. This council, with its global reach, aims to leverage the potential of creative industries as essential tools for addressing pressing global issues such as climate change, trade policy, labor mobility, and the green transition [1].
At the helm of the GCEC is Marta Foresti, the Chair, and CEO of LAGO Collective. She is joined by Karen Brodie, the Deputy Director of Creative PEC and Deputy Chair of GCEC [1]. The council's membership spans a wide array of creative sectors, including museums, libraries, gaming, urbanization, impact investing, and more, encompassing cultural heritage, design, digital content, and innovation fields [1].
One of the key figures in the council is Professor Hasan Bakhshi MBE, who serves as Professor of Economics of the Creative Industries and Director of Creative PEC [1]. Another notable member is Omar Nagati, an architect, urban planner, and co-founder of CLUSTER [1]. Octavio Kulesz, a philosopher, digital publisher, and director of Teseo, is also part of the council [1].
Eduardo Saravia, the Chief Economist at Sound Diplomacy and a cultural economist with over 16 years of experience, is another valuable addition to the council [1]. John Newbigin, the Mayor of London's Ambassador for the Creative Industries, also plays a significant role [1].
The council's objectives are clear: to position creative industries as critical economic drivers and instruments for innovation and positive global impact [1]. It seeks to integrate creativity into diverse policy domains beyond traditional cultural policymaking, including industrial strategies and new trade agreements [1]. By doing so, the GCEC aims to enhance global economic prosperity and sustainability [1].
The council will conduct occasional targeted research activities addressing Creative PEC's and British Council's international priorities [1]. It will also convene discussions that inspire action and bring together members, creative entrepreneurs, government officials, and researchers [1]. The GCEC will use networks to better understand the creative economy's contributions to social and environmental sustainability, survival and prosperity in informal economies, and policy lessons for multilateral action [1].
Andrea Dempster Chung, a member of the GCEC and the co-founder and executive director of Kingston Creative, an NGO in Jamaica, is a testament to the council's global reach [1]. Avril Joffe, a member based in South Africa, holds the UNESCO Chair in Cultural Entrepreneurship and Policy, as well as a Research Associate at the University of the Witwatersrand [1]. Dwinita Larasati, a lecturer and researcher at Industrial Design Program, FSRD ITB, Indonesia, is another valuable member [1].
Anupam Yog, based in Singapore and India, with a focus on creative strategy, is another important member of the council [1]. Wakiuru Njuguna, the Managing Partner of HEVA Fund and a seasoned expert in Africa's creative industries, also plays a significant role [1].
Kelly Wilhelm, the Head of the Cultural Policy Hub at OCAD University, is another key member of the council [1]. Pearl Wang Haoqing, an associate professor and Director of the Center for Global Cooperation and Education Development at USC-SJTU, is another valuable addition [1]. Daniar Amanaliev, the co-founder and Band Master of ololo group and Chair of Kyrgyzstan's Creative Industries Park Board, is also part of the council [1].
In summary, the Global Creative Economy Council (GCEC) is a global forum for policy and practice in the creative economy, initiated by Creative PEC and the British Council [1]. Its goals include positioning creative industries as key drivers of sustainable economic policy and global prosperity [1]. It involves leaders from diverse creative sectors working collectively to influence policy and build cross-sector alliances internationally [1]. The GCEC will share insights and policy ideas through a dedicated blog series on Creative PEC's website [1].
- The Global Creative Economy Council (GCEC), a partnership between the British Council and Creative PEC, is led by Marta Foresti, with Karen Brodie as Deputy Director and Deputy Chair.
- The council comprises a wide range of creative sectors, such as museums, urbanization, impact investing, gaming, and cultural heritage, among others.
- Notable members include Professor Hasan Bakhshi MBE, Omar Nagati, Octavio Kulesz, Eduardo Saravia, John Newbigin, and Andrea Dempster Chung.
- The council seeks to position creative industries as critical economic drivers, integrating creativity into diverse policy domains and industrial strategies.
- They aim to enhance global economic prosperity and sustainability by conducting research activities and convening discussions to better understand the creative economy's contributions to social and environmental sustainability.
- Members like Avril Joffe, Anupam Yog, Wakiuru Njuguna, Kelly Wilhelm, Pearl Wang Haoqing, and Daniar Amanaliev bring diverse perspectives to the table, reflecting the council's global reach.
- The GCEC will share insights and policy ideas through a dedicated blog series on Creative PEC's website, positioning itself as a global forum for policy and practice in the creative economy.
