British Council
|
|
The British Council is a partly UK Government-funded cultural relations organisation and a registered charity in the United Kingdom. Its Chair is Lord Kinnock, the former leader of the Labour Party.
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.
See also
External links
- Official site (http://www.britishcouncil.org/)
- History of the British Council (http://www.britishcouncil.org/history-when.htm)