Background Information

The CDP was established in 2009 and is a partnership initiative with the Brooks World Poverty Institute at the University of Manchester. Its aim is to harness the capacity of creative industries to support social and economic development, primarily in developing countries.

We are entering what many commentators believe is the age of the creative economy.

Global trade in creative goods and services surged to US$445.2 billion in 2005 from US$234.8 billion in 1996. Such trade grew at an unprecedented average rate of 8.7% a year from 2000-2005.

The CDP believes that the rise of the creative economy is not, and should not be, a trend that can only benefit developed nations.

The UK's Department of Culture, Media and Sport defines creative industries as "...those activities which have 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". Based on this approach the UK government identify Creative Industries as including:

Advertising Architecture Crafts and designer furniture Fashion clothing Film, video and other audiovisual production Graphic design Educational and leisure software Live and recorded music Performing arts and entertainment Television, radio and Internet broadcasting Visual arts and antiques Writing and publishing

These are the creative sector definitions the CDP works to and the areas the CDP aims to support.

Pioneering creative industries researcher, Richard Florida has stated his belief that:

"Every single human being is creative. The biggest challenge of the creative age is to lift the bottom up and encourage a prosperous, vibrant and sustainable community for all."

It is the CDP's aim to meet that challenge.