Our main vehicle for cultural relations with other countries is the British Council. It works to strengthen the UK's reputation overseas through programmes in education, the English language, the arts, science, information provision and governance and human rights. It has offices in 110 countries and territories and around the UK.

The British Council at work today

These are some examples of the kinds of activity that the British Council will expand by 2010.

In classrooms across Russia, 56,000 children are now learning English through textbooks produced by the British Council. While supporting curriculum development with teaching materials the British Council is also strengthening perceptions of the UK by introducing millions of people to British ideas.

On playing fields in 20 countries, 40,000 young people have learned new leadership and teambuilding skills by being involved in Dreams+Teams sports festivals. The British Council is expanding the programme to help more young people prepare for global citizenship.

On air in 18 countries every week, five million people tune into the British Council's Selector compilations of British music on their local radio stations. The show is a mix of indie, hip hop, jazz, roots, guitars, punk and other music plus artist interviews and exclusive studio sessions from some of the UK's most exciting artists. It's winning new audiences for British creativity around the world and is now available online.

In examination centres around the world, the British Council administers 1.2 million UK examinations each year- and this is set to grow. The Council is making it easier to register and pay for these examinations online. The British Council is also working with the UK's award bodies to extend the range of professional qualifications available overseas to establish the UK as the international benchmark in areas such as accounting.

In schools around the UK, the British Council is working with the Department for Education and Skills and the devolved administrations to help three million children gain an International School Award, which increases their understanding and appreciation of other cultures.

In many countries, including the UK, the British Council runs cafés scientifiques, informal events that are a fun way to engage people with creative ideas about science. They take place in cafes, bars and bookshops and begin with a short talk from a UK scientist or science writer. Events so far have brought together audiences from as far away as India and Malaysia to discuss the social and ethical aspects of issues from Darwin to DNA, from global warming to artificial intelligence.

The British Council's aim is to make it much easier for many more people in the UK and worldwide to share creative ideas in many ways that strengthen mutual understanding and build lasting relationships.

The British Council's strategy for 2010 and beyond

The British Council has embarked on a programme of change called Strategy 2010 to make the organization better able to respond to the challenges of the early twenty-first century.

Its aspiration is that, by 2010 it will give 50 million people worldwide an experience of the UK's creativity and opportunities for relationships with people in the UK (up from 24 million today).