1940 Royal Charter
„Whereas it has been represented to Us by Our Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs that for the purpose of promoting a wider knowledge of Our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the English language abroad and developing closer cultural relations between Our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and other countries for the purpose of benefiting the British Commonwealth of Nations ... it is expedient ... the British Council should be created a Body Corporate‟
1993 Supplemental Royal Charter
‘The objects for which the Council is established and incorporated are to advance any purpose which is exclusively charitable and which shall:
(a) promote a wider knowledge of Our United Kingdom; (b) develop a wider knowledge of the English language;
(c) encourage cultural, scientific, technological and other educational co- operation between Our United Kingdom and other countries; or
(d) otherwise promote the advancement of education.‟ 2011 Amended Royal Charter
„The objects for which the British Council is established and incorporated are to advance, for the public benefit, any purpose which is exclusively charitable and which shall:
(a) promote cultural relationships and the understanding of different cultures between people and peoples of the
United Kingdom and other countries;
(b) promote a wider knowledge of the United Kingdom; (c) develop a wider knowledge of the English language;
(d) encourage cultural, scientific, technological and other educational cooperation between the United Kingdom and other countries; or (e) otherwise promote the advancement of education.‟
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Other Statements of Purpose
1999-2000 British Council website
„The British Council's purpose is to enhance the United Kingdom's reputation in the world as a valued partner.‟
2000–05 Corporate Plan
Strategic Objectives:
the projection of the UK's creativity, cultural diversity and recent achievements;
support for education and creative industries exports;
enhancing the teaching of English;
assisting reform and sustainable development; strengthening the UK's role within Europe; encouraging greater international awareness in the UK.
2001-03 Annual Reports
„The purpose of the British Council is to win recognition abroad for the UK‟s values, ideas and achievements, and nurture lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with other countries.‟
2002-05 Corporate Plan
Areas of Focus:
creativity: to build appreciation of the UK‟s creativity and scientific innovation among people overseas, and strengthen their engagement with the diversity of UK culture; learning: to increase international recognition of the range and quality of learning opportunities from the UK, to promote the learning of English and strengthen educational co-operation between the UK and other countries;
society: to enhance awareness of the UK‟s democratic values and process, and work in partnership with other countries to strengthen good governance and human rights.
2004 Corporate Plan (Strategy 2010: Our Vision for the Future)
„Our purpose is to build mutually beneficial relationships between people in the UK and other countries and to increase appreciation of the UK‟s creative ideas and achievements.‟
2004-08 Annual Reports
„The purpose of the British Council is to build mutually beneficial relationships between people in the United Kingdom and other countries and to increase appreciation of the United Kingdom‟s creative ideas and achievements.‟
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2006-08 Corporate Plan
Outputs:
Internationalism: relationships brokered by the British Council broaden the international views of young people.
Long-term relationships: an increase in the number of quality relationships between the UK and other countries.
Positive partnerships: the UK is increasingly recognised as a country of choice for partnering positive social change.
Self-development: the UK is increasingly recognised as a country able to satisfy aspirations for self-development.
Creative ideas and achievements: the UK is increasingly seen as the country of choice for its creative ideas and achievements.
2008-10 britishcouncil.org: Our Vision, Purpose and Values
Our purpose: „We build engagement and trust for the UK through the exchange of
knowledge and ideas between people worldwide.‟
Our vision: „The future for the UK in this crowded, dangerous, beautiful world depends on people of all cultures living and working together on foundations of education, mutual understanding, respect and trust.‟
2008-11 Corporate Plan
Themes: Intercultural dialogue; Creative and knowledge economy; Climate change
2009 Annual Report
„Our cultural relations work builds international trust and understanding, generates opportunities for individuals to fulfil their potential and fosters the co-operation that contributes to a stable world.‟
„The British Council builds engagement and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people worldwide‟
2010 Annual Report
„The purpose of the British Council is to create international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and build trust between them worldwide. We call this cultural relations‟
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2011-12 Annual Report
„Our purpose is to create international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and build trust between them worldwide.‟
2011-2015 Corporate Plan
„The British Council creates opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and builds trust between them worldwide‟
Main Business Areas: English; Arts; Education and Society
2013 Annual Report
„Our purpose is to create international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and build trust between them worldwide‟
2013-15 Corporate Plan
„The British Council creates opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and builds trust between them worldwide‟
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