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Creative Economy Report 2010
This Creative Economy Report 2010: Creative Economy – A Feasible Development Option is the second policy-oriented report to present the United Nations perspective on this innovative topic. It builds on the first Report but goes further by deepening the analysis, bringing fresh approaches and identifying trends, strengths and weaknesses as well as challenges and opportunities to be addressed. It provides information on recent developments at the country level and reviews the market situation for all creative industries: arts and crafts, audiovisuals, books, design, the film industry, music, new media, printed media, visual arts and creative services. Overall, the Report examines economic, cultural, social, technological and environmental developments that took place at the global level over the last two years, in particular the consequences of the financial crisis. The creative economy throughout this decade became well-inserted into the international economic and development agenda, calling for new insights and policy responses. Adequately nurtured, creativity fuels culture, infuses a human-centred development and constitutes the key ingredient for job creation, innovation and trade while contributing to social inclusion, cultural diversity and environmental sustainability. The Report recalls that appropriate institutional and regulatory frameworks for the optimal functioning of the “creative nexus” to attract investors, technology, innovation and creative business are prerequisites for enhancing the creative economy. In 2008, the eruption of the world financial and economic crisis provoked a drop in global demand and a contraction of 12 per cent in international trade. Nevertheless, world exports of creative goods and services continued to grow, reaching $592 billion in 2008 — more than double their 2002 level, indicating an annual growth rate of 14 per cent over six consecutive years. This confirms that the creative industries hold great potential for developing countries that seek to diversify their economies and leapfrog into one of the most dynamic sectors of the world economy. Moreover, the global market has been receiving a boost from the increase in South-South trade; opportunities occur where demand is growing. The South’s exports of creative goods to the world reached $176 billion in 2008, accounting for 43 per cent of total creative industries trade. In the aftermath of the crisis, the firmness of the market for creative products is a sign that many people in the world are eager for culture, social events, entertainment and leisure. The creative economy relies on ideas, knowledge, skills and ability to seize new opportunities. The spread of the digital revolution, especially in mobile phones, combined with the growing impact of social networks, is unlocking marketing and distribution channels for music, digital animation, films, news, advertising, etc., thereby expanding the economic benefits of the creative economy. The new lifestyle of contemporary society is increasingly associated with status, style, brands and differentiation, which are rooted in the creative economy. The Report also stresses that the creative economy and the green economy are mutually supportive. Sensitive areas, including the controversial debates about the protection or the sharing of knowledge and information, are also examined; the Report urges governments to revisit the current intellectual property rights regimes. In summary, the Creative Economy Report 2010 underscores 10 key messages calling for a new development path to reorient policies towards more equitable, sustainable and inclusive growth strategies. There is no one-size-fits-all prescription; each country should formulate a strategy to foster its creative economy, based on its own strengths, weaknesses and realities. The Report provides evidence that the creative economy is a feasible development option. The time for action is now.