The Commonwealth and the British Council

Abstract

The 1996 House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Report on the future of the Commonwealth gave added impetus to the recognition of the importance of Commonwealth ties and networks. The prominence given to the shared language and common core of cultural attitudes and political beliefs encouraged the British Council, which is active in many countries in the main areas outlined by the Foreign Affairs Committee, to review its role in giving greater emphasis to the Commonwealth dimension. The Council is participating in many of the events scheduled for the UK Year of the Commonwealth, leading up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Edinburgh in October, and has set the creation of better links with Commonwealth organisations as a priority. Key areas include the teaching of English, education and training, dissemination of good practice in government, the information technologies, youth and sport, and culture and the arts.