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 strategy
DCMS's International Strategy, was developed in 2006. A progress report on the strategy,was published on 30 November 2007.

The strategy:

Sets out the unique role that culture, media, sport, and the creative, visitor and leisure industries can play in support of the UK’s international priorities
Provides an overarching framework which captures the breadth of our activity, and which will assist the development of more detailed action plans by sector
Provides a management tool to help us and our sponsored bodies prioritise and measure the performance of international activity

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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:

Leadership,
Information
Structured interaction

An example of this in practice is the "Connections through culture" programme

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

2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in London
In 2012, London will welcome more than 23,000 competitors and officials from more than 200 countries – the world's greatest sportsmen and women among them
Connections through culture (UK-China)
Helps cultural organisations in the UK and China build and sustain strong relationships with each other, leading to increased exchange of cultural product between them.
European Capital of Culture – Liverpool 2008
Promotes European cultural co-operation and understanding, highlights existing cultural excellence, and encourages cities to develop and innovate in the cultural field. Already renowned for its maritime, heritage, architecture, music, literature and sport, Liverpool will be Capital of Culture in 2008
Film co-production agreements
Co-productions can be beneficial to filmmakers because they often qualify for benefits, such as tax relief, in both the UK and the partner country
Government Art Collection
Places works of art in major Government buildings in the UK and around the world to promote British art, culture and history
International policy – arts
Linking peers between countries and as well as supporting production, performance, publication and exhibition
International policy - broadcasting
We promote UK interests in the European Union (EU), the Council of Europe (CoE) and other international fora.
International policy – tourism
Working through organisations and bi-lateral relations to support the interests of UK tourism
International Sport Strategy 2006 (PDF 73kb)
Holding the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in London means the eyes of the world will be focused on sport in the UK as never before
Music Exports Group
Cross-Government/industry forum facilitated by DCMS which addresses issues that impact on the export activities of the UK music industry
We also oversee policies on the export of important cultural objects and the prevention and prohibition of the illicit trade in cultural property.

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