The existence of a healthy critical community of writers is an essential ingredient of a democratic society and of a flourishing arts and cultural scene. The critical writing exchanges, delivered through week-long workshops in the UK and overseas, aim to create links between emerging writers in the UK and partnered countries; and to contribute to the appreciation and development of arts criticism practice in participating countries. The programme involves master classes with established critics and writers in the participating countries inviting them to interact with the participants at the workshops. Through exploring the cultural landscape of both countries, participants not only develop their critical faculties and writing skills, but also develop their intercultural understanding.

Previous programmes have included exchanges between Wales and Washington, DC (2009), Northern Ireland and Washington, DC (2007), and between the UK, Pakistan, Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories (2006).

Several participants of the Young Critics Programme 2006 have won awards for their work. Alex Wood had her first play The Eleventh Capital staged at the Royal Court in 2007, and was awarded the George Devine Award for Most Promising Playwright 2007. The Royal Court also commissioned Alex to write another play. Miriam Gamble was awarded the Eric Gregory Award for poets under the age of 30 in 2007. Rachel Aspden has just been awarded a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Travelling Fellowship – she will explore Peaceful co-existence at the edges of Islam, travelling to India, Sudan and Egypt.

• Article tags:

• critical writing exchanges