ODI reposted this
Founder of LAGO Collective - connecting creatives, researchers and policymakers working on innovative solutions to global challenges. Also ODI, Moleskine, IOM. Talks about design, cities, migration and development.
Arts, culture, media and sport are key ingredients of British ‘soft power’ and (renewed) global standing - this we can all agree on. But what would it take to make this happen 🧐? It will take decisive action and strategic 💰investment, at home but even more importantly abroad 🌍. The appointment of Lisa Nandy at the helm of the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport can be a real opportunity: having shadowed the development portfolio under the now Foreign Secretary David Lammy, she can bring a much needed international perspective to the traditionally domestic culture/arts agenda and help find alignment with foreign and development policy. If the new Labour government is serious about joined up policy and action, this is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate that it can also deliver on it: bring culture, media and sports to the heart of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, while at the same time investing in British and global culture at home and abroad. To go beyond words and good intentions we will need to see a change of pace and approach in the way the UK works with partners around the globe. First and foremost investment rather than aid, as part of its overall support for economic growth and propsperity with mutual benefits. This cannot be the work of ‘charity’ - culture, arts, creative production is about us all, it unites us across borders so it needs to be invested in, not supported by. And secondly, and equally important, a fair visa regimes allowing artists, musicians, poets and athletes to move across borders, work together and creating beauty and sharing joy. Here is to everyone who can make all this a reality - all of us at LAGO-COLLECTIVE are ready to help! Christopher Smith Kumi Naidoo David McNair Justine Simons OBE ODI Design Council Eliza Easton British Film Institute (BFI) British Council Arts Council England Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Alexis Akwagyiram Sir Geoff Mulgan #arts #culture #media #sport #development #foreignpolicy