The cultural industries, which include publishing, music,
cinema, crafts and design, continue to grow steadily apace and
have a determinant role to play in the future of culture. Their
international dimension gives them a determining role for the
future in terms of freedom of expression, cultural diversity and
economic development. Although the globalization of exchange and
new technologies opens up exciting new prospects, it also
creates new types of inequality. The world map of these
industries reveals a yawning gap between North and South. This
can only be counteracted by strengthening local capacities and
facilitating access to global markets at national level by way
of new partnerships, know-how, control of piracy and increased
international solidarity of every kind. - For a comprehensive
understanding of cultural industries, browse 25 questions and
answers and explore key concepts and ideas related to culture
and trade in the context of globalization. - A basic reference:
the Florence Agreement - Streng