News
HRH celebrates 75 years of the British Council
14th July 2009
The Prince of Wales helped to celebrate 75 years of the British Council at the Royal Hospital Chelsea today.
Marking 75 years in 2009, the British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. This event will bring together young people who have participated in British Council projects.
The Prince has been Vice Patron of the British Council since 1984.
The British Council works in over 100 countries worldwide to build engagement and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas.
Last year the British Council reached 221 million people, and had face to face contact with over 13 million, through its projects in the arts, education, science, sport and governance.
On arrival, His Royal Highness met former Chairman of the British Council Lord Kinnock, Martin Davidson, Gerard Lemos and Nihal Arthanayake.
In a speech to the invited guests who were gathered in a marquee in the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, West London, The Prince said: "I can't help wonder if those who came together in 1934 thought that their creation would become such an important international actor, replicated by many countries, respected by world leaders and trusted by many millions."
The Prince met young people who had been helped by the watched a performance of Power in the Voice.
Power in the Voice was a three-year British Council project that set out to enable young people in southern Africa and the United Kingdom to express themselves under the guidance of international performance poets, rap artists and storytellers. Over three years, the project involved 3,300 school children and reached more than 25 million people.
The British Council is the envy of some of the world's greatest countries, Lord Kinnock said tonight, as he celebrated the organisation's 75th anniversary.
The former Labour party leader paid tribute to the educational and cultural charity he led for four years before stepping down as Chairman last week.
Lord Kinnock said the British Council was envied by the Americans and the French had established their own version.
He said: "The reason - they know our approach to cultural relations and public diplomacy is the best.
"It's patient and long-term and generates opportunities. It's honest; it's got high integrity and can thrive in stable developed and developing countries."