Department for Culture Media and Sport

international

Much of our work and the sectors we sponsor have an international dimension. The excellence of our culture, sport and creative industries at home means that UK skills are in demand around the world.

Our broadcasters, theatres, musicians, artists, performers and filmmakers enjoy the highest international reputations, as do our museums and galleries, making a major contribution to Britain’s international prestige.  The UK is a major international tourist destination, it has 27 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and in 2012 will host the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Culture and sport play an important role in building and sustaining international relationships, helping to break down barriers between peoples and provide a space for shared understanding.

International Cultural policy

Since Spring 2006, the Department has been developing an International Cultural Policy meeting a wide range of stakeholders from the cultural sector, across Whitehall and beyond, including the British Council  and Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).  The cultural sector is highly supportive of DCMS interest in this area.

The International Cultural Policy is being developed to:

  • reinforce existing, and build new and sustainable relationships between cultural organisations in the UK and around the world
  • use these relationships to develop and maintain a highly skilled and knowledgeable UK cultural sector which is acknowledged as a world leader; and
  • use this pre-eminent position to optimise the cultural sector’s international influence and, through this, its impact on public diplomacy.

Three key areas have been identified to provide a practical framework to maximise the cultural sector’s international work:

  1. Leadership,
  2. Information
  3. Structured interaction

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Our international work

More information on our work with specific international elements is detailed below:

For more information on our international work, our strategy, the international cultural policy, or how we can help you, contact us through our enquiry form

Last updated June 2009

 

 

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