We recognise that the UK has a lot to learn from other cultures and traditions, as well as a lot to offer. Which is why we place great value on exchanging ideas, sharing knowledge and learning from each other.

Through the ties that we create between people in the UK and other countries, we help to break down the barriers to understanding. We then work on these links in education and culture to build lasting relationships based on trust, mutual understanding and respect. This is what we mean by cultural relations.

We take pride in celebrating the UK's creativity and achievements, while looking for ways to enrich the cultural and intellectual life of the UK, by bringing its people together with people from other countries. To help us maintain this, we even have our own cultural relations think-tank, Counterpoint.

Our commitment to long-term projects and partnerships over the past seventy years has won us recognition as a trusted friend to many individuals and organisations; and has enriched the lives of millions of people all over the world.

As we operate at arm's length from the UK government, we are able to build relationships with those who may be wary of working with government bodies.