The third volume of the British Council’s collection of essays, Britain and Ireland: Lives Entwined, was launched in May. Contributions by thinkers and political figures, including Nobel peace laureate, John Hume, explore relations between the countries.

Pioneering filmmaker Steve McQueen has been selected to represent Britain at the 53rd Venice Biennale, the British Council announced on 24 June. McQueen will present a solo exhibition in the British Pavilion to be shown from June to November 2009.

The Young Advocate Programme was launched in Beijing on 23 June, bringing together able and disabled young people to take part in an international leadership and learning initiative celebrating the values of the Paralympics in the build up to the games.