The Chief Minister of Jersey, Senator Ian Gorst, hosted the 29th British-Irish Council Summit on the 10th of November. The meeting was attended by Heads of Administration and Ministers from the BIC Member Administrations.

Discussion focused on key political developments across the Council area including the ongoing engagement between the two governments and the parties in Northern Ireland following elections to the Assembly. Ministers also discussed activity in relation to the UK’s exit from the EU and reviewed topics from previous discussions. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the Council and agreed that political developments across Member Administrations underlined the importance of this unique forum.

Creative Industries Ministers met before the Summit to consider a report prepared by the Council’s Creative Industries work sector, a policy area which contributes approximately £98.6bn / €110bn per year to the economies of the eight BIC administrations. This discussion was then taken forward by Heads of Administration who looked at examples of good practice in addressing the skills gaps within the creative industries and the relationship between grass roots culture and professional creative activity. Ministers endorsed a proposal for future collaboration on: a pipeline of development through education; measures to encourage diversity among employees within the sector; and, initiatives to maximise inclusivity for audiences.

You can read the full Summit Communiqué here.