Speeches and presentations

Speeches by Martin Davidson CMG, CEO

Constructive engagement: the art of cultural relations [PDF 28.11 KB] . Speech given  in the Jubilee Room, House of Commons, to parliamentarians and arts professionals on 31 July 2008.

The trust option: the role of education and culture in international relations [PDF 43.42 KB] . Lecture given at Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, as part of their under 35s forum on 25 June 2008.

Intercultural Dialogue: Moving Beyond Words [PDF 36.22 KB]. Lecture given at Al Ahram Regional Press Institute, Cairo, on 27 May 2008.

Communicating across cultures: the Arts shape world-views [PDF 35.72 KB]. Speech given at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing to an audience of Chinese arts professionals, artists and policy makers on the 8 January 2008.

Other speeches

The 4th British Council keynote debate 'How Lovely is Thy Dwelling: Building Housing in the UK' at the Venice Architecture Biennale took place at the British Pavilion on Saturday 13 September, 2008. To listen to this illuminating discussion on the condition of British Housing in the 21st century download the rfollowing audio files:

1. Opening introduction by Irénée Scalbert [MP3 4.03 MB]
2. Keynote address by Denise Scott Brown [MP3 41.1 MB]
3. Introduction by moderator John Callcutt [MP3 15 MB]

To download any of the above files, right-click on the link, choose 'Save target as', and select where you want to save the file. If you're using a Mac, simply double-click on the link and use the on-screen window to select the file's destination. If you want to listen on your PC, just left click and the file will play in your default player. For Mac users, click the link. 

Transatlantic Bridge? Britain, Europe and the post-Bush Era [PDF 132.34 KB].
Speech given at Labour and Conservative Party Conference Fringe events, September 2008, by Sharon Memis, Director USA.

Back to the Future? Russian Relations in the 21st Century [PDF 30 KB]. Speech given by our Chair, Lord Kinnock, at the Labour Party Conference Fringe in Manchester on 22 September 2008.
For a transcript of the speech as delivered, please contact a member of our Parliamentary Affairs team (kate.buxton@britishcouncil.org).

Our Vision, Purpose and Positioning [PDF 33.50 KB]. Speech given by John Worne, Director of Strategy and External Relations, at the British Council's Annual General Meeting on 22 July 2008.

British Council Annual Lecture

The British Council Annual Lecture 2006: The United Nations in the 21st Century [PDF 38.97 KB]. Lecture given by Mark Malloch Brown, Chef de Cabinet to the UN Secretary-General on 9th March 2006.

Sir David Green, Director General 1999-2007

Do North America and Europe share a common culture? [PDF 27.35 KB] Speech given to the Atlantic Youth Forum on 2 August 2004.

Comments at the launch of 'Vision 2020: Forecasting International Student Mobility' [PDF 15.81 KB]. 20 April 2004.

British Council Tate Exhibition, São Paulo [PDF 13.17 KB]. Reception speech by David Green CMG, Director-General of the British Council. The Oca, Parque Ibirapuera, São Paulo 10 September 2003.

Employability Forum [PDF 24.24 KB]. Speech given by David Green CMG, Director-General of the British Council, Church House Conference Centre, London, 3 April 2003.

FCO Leadership [PDF 23.45 KB]. Opening speech by David Green CMG, Director-General of the British Council. Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London 6 January 2003.

Integration for Impact [PDF 15 KB]. Speech by David Green CMG, Director-General of the British Council, St Petersburg, 1 October 2003.

Islam and Social Justice [ PDF 14.62 KB]. Speech by David Green CMG, Director-General of the British Council, London 6 June 2003.

Vocational Partnerships [PDF 14.62 KB]. Reception speech at the Novotel London Euston, 5 February 2003.

Internet Business Development Online Showcasing Event [PDF 13.36 KB]. Speech by David Green CMG, Director-General of the British Council. London 20 January 2003.

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