Archbishop Desmond Tutu gives London lecture to mark British Council's 75th Anniversary
19 / 02 / 2009
In a rare UK public appearance marking the 75th anniversary of the British Council, the UK’s cultural relations organisation, Archbishop Desmond Tutu addressed an audience of 750 people on the importance of building trust and understanding between countries, especially in difficult times. He also discussed the role that cultural relations can play in fostering the cooperation needed to tackle the global challenges facing us all.
“It is particularly appropriate that Archbishop Desmond Tutu has opened our 75th anniversary lecture series. This is also a testament to the long-lasting ties that can be built through cultural relations,” said Martin Davidson, chief executive of the British Council. “We worked in South Africa during the apartheid years, building the foundations for future cooperation and collaboration."
"Our cultural relations work today remains as vital as ever to keep the links between the UK and South Africa alive. We welcome the Tutu Foundation’s support for our local programmes, where volunteers from the UK and South Africa work side-by-side.”
“I am delighted to be opening the British Council’s Talking without Borders lecture series to mark 75 years of their work”, said Archbishop Desmond Tutu. “Today, young people are volunteering together in both the UK and South Africa. Through the Tutu Foundation’s support for this British Council project, I know how it mirrors my own hopes for the world."
"By working in equal partnership, the efforts of these young people show us that our present and future in the global community are deeply entwined. With this in mind, the lecture series provides the platform for me to share my belief that the values of justice and compassion are not only yours and mine; they are shared by all humanity.”
Archbishop Tutu also talked about the challenges and opportunities for the man of the moment, US President Barack Obama, for the first time since his inauguration a month ago, as well as those facing the UK government.
The British Council’s Talking without Borders lecture series marks the organisation’s 75th anniversary, for more information about the activities this year and history of cultural relations work for the UK, please visit The British Council website.
Available for media
View the transcript of the lecture
To request images please contact Paul Melhuish in the British Council press office on 020 7389 4871.
Video footage will also be available to download from the British Council’s YouTube website shortly after the lecture and an edited video package will be available in the afternoon, please visit the British Council press office.
For more information, please visit The British Council or call the Sorcha Clifford in the press office on 0207 389 4889/ 07768485534.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Celebrating 75 years in 2009 the British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations.
In South Africa, the British Council’s work today includes Global Xchange, a unique volunteer exchange programme with the VSO, where teams from both countries have been working on Youth Leadership and HIV/AIDS. Global Xchange brings together young people from the UK and overseas, living and working side-by-side for six months to create positive change and strengthen community cohesion in both countries.
The British Council is hosting Talking without Borders, a series of lectures and debates held throughout 2009 to address some of the most pressing global issues of our time. For more information visit the British Council website.
Henley Business School is supporting the first lecture of the Talking Without Borders.
