British Council

The British Council is a non-departmental public body and registered charity for cultural relations in the United Kingdom. Its Chair is Lord Kinnock, the former leader of the Labour Party. It answers to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Overview

The British Council aims to build mutually beneficial cultural and educational relationships between people in the United Kingdom and in other countries, and increase appreciation of the United Kingdom's creative ideas and achievements. Its overseas network extends over 110 countries. Around 65% of its income is self-generated through teaching English, conducting examinations and managing aid and development projects. The remainder of the funding is provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which is providing a grant of £186.2 million for the year beginning 2005.

Founded in 1934 as the British Committee for Relations with Other Countries, the British Council was inspired by Sir Reginald ("Rex") Leeper's recognition of the importance of "cultural propaganda" in promoting Britain.

Past Chairs

Past Chairs of the British Council have been:

1934 – 1937 Lord Tyrrell
1937 – 1941 Lord Lloyd
1941 – 1945 Sir Malcolm Robertson
1946 – 1955 Sir Ronald Adam
1955 – 1959 Sir David Kelly
1959 – 1967 Lord Bridges
1968 – 1971 Lord Fulton
1971 – 1972 Sir Leslie Rowan
1972 – 1976 Lord Ballantrae
1977 – 1984 Sir Charles Troughton
1985 – 1992 Sir David Orr
1992 – 1998 Sir Martin Jacomb
1998 – 2004 Helena Kennedy
2004 – Lord Kinnock

Recognition

In 2005, along with the Alliance française, the Società Dante Alighieri, the Goethe-Institut, the Instituto Cervantes and the Instituto Camões, the British Council was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for outstanding achievements in communications and the humanities.

Initiatives

Among the initiatives conceived by the British Council is the Connecting Futures programme.

Elton Awards

Since 2003 the British Council has awarded the "English Language Teaching Innovation Awards" ("Eltons")

External links

Departments of the United Kingdom Government | British culture | Organisations based in the United Kingdom

British Council | British Council | British Council