1st Policy Seminar on the Creative Economy and BC training - Cartagena & Bogota

With the aim of establishing important contacts with guests from another countries and gain resources for planning our own policy seminars in Mexico, I'll travel to Colombia next tuesday. I'll be in Cartagena attending the forum "Aspectos economicos de las industrias protegidas por el derecho de autor".

Later that week I'll travel to Bogota to attend an internal training on British Council's work on the Creative Economy and the British perspective and experience in the field, this event will be led by Andrew Senior and John Newbigin (BOP consultancy)

I'll close down my visit to Colombia with an exciting YCE Club/Network meeting, this event will open up our minds to create our own YCE Club meetings in Mexico! Also led by John Newbigin and Octavio Kulesz (YPE from Argentina).

I'll keep you posted on news, ideas and with no doubt, great photographs from Colombia!

Young Creative Entrepreneur Awards 2010

YOUNG CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS --- GET READY TO APPLY!!

YOUNG CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS

Are you an entrepreneur who is promoting, managing or running a venture centred on a creative sector?

Are you aspiring to take that enterprise beyond Mexico, to gain foothold in the strong creative economy of UK and build relationships to promote your creative venture in the UK?

If so, the alliance between British Council and CONACULTA to present the Young Creative Entrepreneur (YCE) Awards could be your ticket to a world of opportunities. These are the only awards that give recognition to creative entrepreneurship across the sectors of Design, Music, Fashion, Communication, Visual Arts, Screen, Interactive, Performing Arts and Publishing.

The creative industries are defined as those having their origin in individual creativity, skill and talent and which have a potential for wealth and job creation through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property.
Globally, creative industries are estimated to account for more than 7 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP)1. UK has pioneered in recognising their contribution to the economy and as a percentage of GDP the UK has the largest creative industries sector in the world2.

UK creativity is hugely influential across the world, with a reputation for innovation, edgy brilliance and entrepreneurial spirit. In 2008, it comprised an estimated 157,400 businesses and employed just less than two million people.

The Mexican economy also has a strong potential for growth by investing in creative enterprises. Despite such a strong potential, creative industries are not recognised for their contribution to the overall economy. There is a definite absence of opportunities that provide international exposure and learning for creative entrepreneurs in Mexico.

The YCE awards aim to change that!

British Council Mexico has teamed up with CONACULTA in order to support Mexican Creative Industries to boost their potential and not only contribute to the economy but also to recognise through this award the talent, perseverance, commitment and importance of young Mexican entrepreneurs.

The awards aim to reward creative entrepreneurs based in Mexico for their contribution to their respective sectors. The YCE award programme goes beyond simply recognising the achievements of these entrepreneurs by providing them a platform to begin a dialogue with their UK counterparts.

If you are a creative entrepreneur based in Mexico you have a chance to win a study tour of your respective industry in the UK. It allows you to learn, imbibe and grow through inputs from both your UK and international peers.
You also get to attend relevant trade events that helps widen your perspective.

Creative entrepreneurs from various sectors will get to interact with creative industry leaders in the UK and play an important role in increasing business opportunities between the UK and Mexico. They also get to participate in a relevant trade event that helps widen their horizon.

Connected with the Mexico YCE awards is the International Young Creative Entrepreneur (IYCE) programme, which celebrates young creative entrepreneurial talent at a global level.

The UK Young Creative Entrepreneurs (UKYCE) awards run parallel to the IYCE. These awards work towards sensitising the UK markets about the potential of emerging economies like Mexico. They help young creative entrepreneurs to use these opportunities in their own context.

Through an interconnected network, the awards aim to fix the spotlight firmly on young creative entrepreneurship. In the past, Mexico has been one of the spotlight countries and has hosted tours for UKYCE finalists across specific sectors.

If you are a Mexican creative entrepreneur who wants to be part of this exciting global network, apply today. All applicants become a part of the British Council’s Creative Entrepreneur Network.

Take the initiative – the next big idea can be yours!

To know more and apply for the awards visit www.britishcouncil.org.mx or check this site for updates.

The OPEN CALL BEGINS ON 1ST JULY UNTIL 13 AUGUST 2010 FOR THE AWARDS ON:

INTERACTIVE AND SCREEN (TV & FILM) AWARDS

1 World Bank Urban development needs creativity: How creative industries affect urban areas. Development Outreach, November 2003.
2 OECD Factbook 2007 - Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics, 2007.
3 Creative Industries Economic Estimates Statistical Bulletin 2010, DCMS

HAY FESTIVAL 15-21 Julio Zacatecas y Ciudad de Mexico

The British Council is delighted to announce the launch of our global Hay Festivals partnership at this year’s Hay Festival. Working together to take the UK’s best authors and thinkers to an international audience, the global partnership will encompass festivals in Beirut, Belfast, Zacatecas, Segovia, Nairobi, Maldives, Kerala, Cartagena and Wales.

The British Council has been collaborating with Hay since 2006 and this launch marks the start of a more formal relationship consolidating years of exchange and teamwork. This partnership is part of the British Council’s commitment to working with great institutions such as Tate, the Royal Opera House and the Royal Court by supporting their international aspirations. After over 21 years of the Hay Festival in Wales we are delighted to be able to work with them by supporting their overseas festivals and raising the UK’s profile through a powerful combination of literature and debate.

As part of this global partnership British Council Mexico is delighted to be able to support Dr. Jung Chang, author of the best-selling books Wild Swans - Three Daughters of China (which the Asian Wall Street Journal called the most read book about China), and Mao: The Unknown Story (with Jon Halliday). and Maya Jaggi who has been a profile-writer and critic for Guardian Review since 2000, and is an award-winning cultural journalist.

BRITISH COUNCIL PRESENTS:
Dr. Jung Chang in conversation with Maya Jaggi
SUNDAY 18 JULY 2010, 18:30 PM
VENUE: MUSEO ABSTRACTO MANUEL FELGUÉREZ

TUESDAY 20 JULY 2010, 18:30 PM
VENUE: CENTRO NACIONAL DE LAS ARTES / AULA MAGNA JOSE VASCONCELOS

BRITISH COUNCIL LECTURE:
JUNG CHANG
TUESDAY 21 JULY 2010, 11:00 AM
VENUE: CENTRO NACIONAL DE LAS ARTES
AULA MAGNA “JOSE VASCONCELOS”

BRITISH COUNCIL LECTURE:
MAYA JAGGI
TUESDAY 21 JULY 2010, 13:00 PM
VENUE: CENTRO NACIONAL DE LAS ARTES
AULA MAGNA “JOSE VASCONCELOS”

For more information on how to get free tickets to attend this events please send an email to: angelica.atristain@britishcouncil.org.mx

Join us to celebrate and experience HAY FESTIVAL!!