Operating in a Universe of Possibility

February has been another fascinating month in my role at? Wellcome Trust . This month's highlights have been:

1) We are suffering a break-down in international trust and collaboration, just at the time we need it most.

“We are living in an era of global polycrises.” Geopolitical tensions and conflicts, identity-based national and populism, fake news, authoritarianism and inequalities are bringing about a break-down of international trust and co-operation. Without this, we can’t solve today’s fundamental challenges to human civilisation like climate change and infectious disease. We’ve been working with Stuart MacDonald FRSA , Ana Babic , Liz Grant , Gerry Power and Tom Fleming to consider the global landscape we’re operating within. The? 英国文化协会 sets out these issues in its recent report and concludes that “the aims of cultural relations, as drivers of international development, peacekeeping and bridges of communication during difficult times in international relations, are more important than ever”.?Read more here: Soft power and cultural relations: a comparative analysis | British Council

2) Creative interventions can be harnessed for cut-through in saturated political and media environments and to create innovative solutions to today’s wicked problems

It has been hugely energising to discuss these issues with inspiring international leaders and to think about how this can lead to action. I was lucky enough to meet? Annemarie Hou at the United Nations who is thinking about the role culture can play in urgently progressing the?#sdgs and was responsible for bringing South Korean pop band BTS to the UN – cleverly harnessing pop culture to reach young people and the pop industry to think about issues like climate change.?

Read more here:?Soft power and cultural relations: a comparative analysis | British Council (huffingtonpost.co.uk)

Closer to home, we’re delighted to be working with The Liminal Space on a new Approach & Plan for Cultural Partnerships at Wellcome and it was fascinating to be at the launch of their Cut + Paste exhibition at The Francis Crick Institute using creative methods to explore the ethics around genome editing technologies. Cut + Paste | Crick

3) There is vast opportunity for mutual benefit and sustainable creative practice through collaborating with others

Of course, the power of culture can only be harnessed if we have a thriving creative sector, which can never be taken for granted and in this economic uncertainty is being severely challenged. It was therefore heartening to speak on the panel for my? Culture Mile Artiq for the launch of their Annual Volume 1 on the topic of a sustainable creative economy. Wonderfully chaired by the fabulous Patrick McCrae , and always uplifting to hear the work fellow panelist Samantha Jade (Saff) Williams is doing with Brookfield Properties to invest in #placemaking through culture - a subject very dear to my heart!

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4) Profound personal and global change is possible by radiating possibility

This month I’ve been reading The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life: Amazon.co.uk: Zander, Rosamund Stone, Zander, Benjamin: 0884939157017: Books which I cannot recommend enough! Bringing together my 2 deep passions with? Benjamin Zander sharing the lessons he’s learned through creative experiences as an orchestral conductor and his wife Rosamund Stone Zander talking about change, organisational development and leadership – I couldn’t get enough! The set out the entire ethos I aspire to live by – essentially not taking yourself too seriously (!), prioritising contribution over competition, being open to great ideas coming from absolutely anywhere, recognising limiting assumptions are a construct and resisting the downward spiral to operate in a universe of possibility. A fantastic, life-affirming read.