The Aspen Institute UK, in partnership with the EU Delegation to the UK, is hosting a free public event celebrating the contribution of cultural industries to economic resilience.
Europe’s cultural and creative industries are amongst its leading job providers. They are not only the glue that holds communities together, but also bring substantial economic benefits. A strong, vibrant cultural and creative sector can drive private sector investments, boost talent attraction and impact job creation (both directly and indirectly).
In this event, we will be hearing from key voices in creative industries and discussing the power of cultural capital to improve lives, transform communities, and ensure Europe continues to be a powerhouse of innovation. The panel will explore the role of culture in building economic resilience, both at a local and a regional level.
The panel discussion will be from 17:00-18:00 BST, followed by a networking reception from 18:00.
Moderator:
Paul Owens – Paul is the Co-Founder and Director of BOP Consulting. Paul is a leading international advisor and practitioner in culture and creative industries. He leads BOP’s international work on flagship projects across Asia, MENA and Latin America and his approach and insight on developing and implementing cutting-edge cultural initiatives is sought by policymakers, city leaders and creative businesses worldwide. As a dedicated advocate of the role culture can play in enhancing economic development outcomes, Paul established the World Cities Culture Forum to share best practice on promoting culture within urban policy in cities all over the world. Working with the Mayor of London’s team he has grown and managed a network of more than 40 major cities and an important independent soft power city network worldwide. He is also Chair of The Video College, a training and production facility for young people in West London; on the Board of Alchemy World a charity which promotes creative entrepreneurship on Ethiopia; a Trustee to the Achates Foundation advocating for greater philanthropic investment in culture and the arts; and a Visiting Lecturer at Shanghai Theatre Academy, School of Creative Studies.
On the panel:
Victoria Broackes – Victoria is the Director of London Design Biennale, which presents London as the prestigious global stage for world-leading contemporary design and design led innovation, creativity and research. The event reveals the potential of design to respond to social and environmental needs, and its power to address the world’s greatest challenges. London Design Biennale last took place in June 2023, at Somerset House in London. In her work as Senior Curator at the V&A, Vicky was V&A Curator of The Pink Floyd Exhibition: Their Mortal Remains and co-curator of You Say You Want a Revolution? 1966-70, and David Bowie is, the fastest selling exhibition in the V&A’s history which attracted over 2 million visitors at 11 venues around the world.
Lisa Lang – Lisa is the Director for EU Affairs & Policy Orchestrator for EIT Climate KIC and the Chair person for the Cultural & Creative Taskforce for UNFCCC United Nations Global Innovation Hub (UGIH). She has gained recognition as one of Forbes Europe’s Top 50 Women in Tech, and has been listed as one of the 50 most important women for innovation & startups in the EU. She founded highly recognized companies like ElektroCouture, ThePowerHouse and FNDMT who are dedicated to push innovation within the creative and innovative industry eco systems. Lisa is a direct adviser for creative industries, digitalisation and entrepreneurship for the European Commission on several high-level advisory boards, including Pact for Skills, Industrial Forum and the US/EU Trade & Technology Council.
Kully Thiarai – Kully is Creative Director and CEO of Leeds 2023 – the city’s international year of culture. Having worked with prestigious arts organisations across the UK, Kully is renowned for her bold and ground-breaking work in the performing arts. She has extensive experience of commissioning, producing, and directing work nationally and internationally. Kully’s work spans communities, cultures and performance styles; from large-scale epics to solo shows, from community residency programmes to strategic policy interventions, from nurturing talent through to leading change. In 2020 Kully won the Cultural Icon Award in the inaugural Northern Asian power list.