Speaker*innen 2025
Prof. John Newbigin

Prof. John Newbigin

consutant

John Newbigin OBE war in der Film-, Fernseh- und Theaterbranche tätig. Als Sonderberater des britischen Kulturministers spielte er eine zentrale Rolle in der Entwicklung der weltweit ersten Definition und Bewertung der Kreativwirtschaft, die 1998 von der britischen Regierung übernommen wurde.

Er war Mitbegründer und erster Vorsitzender von Creative England und leitete fünf Jahre lang den Advisory Board for Arts and Creative Economy des British Council.

Derzeit ist er Mitglied des International Steering Committee der World Conference on Creative Economy und fungiert als Botschafter der Kreativwirtschaft für den Bürgermeister von London. Zudem ist er Vorsitzender des Global Creative Economy Council und der Counterculture Partnership.

Als Visiting Fellow ist er außerdem an der Goldsmiths, University of London tätig.

Programm

Mär06.

Creativity as a democratic anchor: Europe's creative industries in the pursuit of resilience and social transformation

In an era of rising autocratic tendencies and increasing societal polarization, the creative industries play a crucial role in fostering democratic values, resilience, and social transformation. Beyond their economic impact, creative sectors serve as a bridge between communities, engaging citizens in meaningful dialogue and promoting democratic participation. How can creative actors actively contribute to strengthening democracy and social cohesion? What innovative approaches exist to leverage culture and creativity in building societal resilience? And how do European programs and networks support cross-border cooperation to enhance the role of the creative economy in safeguarding democratic structures?

This panel will bring together leading European experts: John Newbigin OBE, Ambassador for the creative industries for the Mayor of London, Kati Uusi-Rauva, CCSI expert and Director of the Co-Location Centre North of the EIT Culture & Creativity & Nino Kiknadze, Culture manager and policy maker from Georgia, focused on publishing, literature, literacy promotion, media, art, and communications.

This discussion will be held in English.

15:30–16:15h

Format: Panel

Stage: K1

Mär06.

Shaping the World

Europe is confronted by threats and uncertainties ranging from the existential issue of climate change through to personal issues of identity and pride as traditional local economies collapse and the gap between big cities and small towns appears to widen. The extreme right responds with lurid conspiracies whose solution always depends on division, exclusion and blaming others, but the only effective response to these multiple challenges is the creative and critical thinking that comes from a convergence of perspectives and disciplines. The creative economy should be at the centre of that response and there are examples of good practice from around the world that can inspire us. A Keynote by John Newbigin.

This session will be held in English.

09:30–09:45h