Southern Culture
Did You Know?
Oxford University
As the oldest university in the English-speaking world, the University of Oxford claims nine centuries of continuous existence. There is no clear date of foundation, but teaching existed at Oxford in some form in 1096 and developed rapidly from 1167, when Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris.
Our challenges
Culture in the South East is faced with a number of challenges and opportunities in the coming months and years:
Challenge 1: Access and Diversity
Despite its economic success, our region includes significant pockets of deprivation.
There is a risk that these deprived communities will be double disadvantaged - deprived neighbourhoods and excluded communities in the South East face the same challenges of multiple deprivation as similar communities elsewhere. But because the South East is not perceived as a region in need of outside assistance or funding, these communities may not receive the support which might be offered in other regions
Challenge 2: The 2012 Games
The 2012 Games will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase the South East's cultural depth and visitor offer on a world stage.
The South East is the gateway to the 2012 Games and many visitors to the Games will travel through and stay in the region. The impact of the Games will go far beyond sport. We have an unrepeatable opportunity to demonstrate why the South East is one of the best places in the world in which to live, work and invest. Culture is central to the appeal of the region.
Challenge 3: TheSustainable Communities Agenda
Over the next 30 years there will be considerable housing growth in the South East.
The Government's Sustainable Communities Plan identified three specific areas for housing development ("Growth Areas") in the region:
Ashford, Kent
Milton Keynes and South Midlands
Thames Gateway North Kent.
However, more than half the housing growth in the region will happen outside these designated Growth Areas.
We want new and existing residents to have access to high quality cultural provision. We want them to have the opportunity to shape the new communities so they feel they have ownership of the growth agenda, and can create a sense of place and a sense of belonging.
We believe that embedding cultural and creative interests into the strategies and masterplans of the Growth Area will make it possible to enhance the quality of development and enrich community life, the environment and the economy.
Challenge 4: Creative Industries
Together with London and parts of the East of England and South West, the South East region forms a "mega region" of world class significance in relation to the creative economy.
The David Powell Report 2002 suggested that the creative industries employs more than half a million people in the South East and contributes more than 40 billion to the regional economy. Creative and cultural industry represent around 30 per cent of its GDP, making it our region's fastest growing sector. It's a very diverse sector, too, selling to local, national and international markets. We believe that there is at times a lack of cohesion in support for these industries.
Challenge 5: Skills
The health of the cultural sector, creative industries, tourism and sport in the region is dependent on their capacity to recruit the right people and develop their skills.
We believe that the right people are in short supply. Furthermore, people with skills derived from working in the cultural sector are often highly employable in other sectors. Creativity, communication skills and teamwork are attributes which are often acquired through working in the cultural sector. We believe that skills development within the cultural sector should be highlighted as a skills priority in the region. We believe that recognition of the value of skills developed as a result of cultural activities should be supported