Franco-British Council

Last updated
Franco-British Council
FormationMay 1, 1971;52 years ago (1971-05-01)
Purposeto promote better understanding between Britain and France and to contribute to the development of joint action through meetings of leading representatives of the worlds of culture, science, education, politics and business in the context of a developing Europe and of an increasingly globalised community.
Location
  • 10-11 Dacre Street, London, SW1H OD, United Kingdom
Website www.francobritishcouncil.org.uk

The Franco-British Council is an organisation created on the joint initiative of President Georges Pompidou and Prime Minister Edward Heath in order to promote better understanding between United Kingdom and France and to contribute to the development of joint action through meetings of leading representatives of the worlds of culture, science, education, politics and business in the context of a developing Europe and of an increasingly globalised community.

Contents

History

In Paris in May 1971 the British Prime Minister, Edward Heath, met the French President, Georges Pompidou, for the discussions to pave the way for Britain's entry into the European Community. At this meeting, they reflected on the way in which contact between the two countries could be widened beyond the existing official mechanism for the exchange of ideas and information between the two governments. They concluded that there was a need for a non-governmental body which could sponsor seminars and colloques between people of like interests in the two countries. These meetings should not be confined just to cultural or educational matters, but aim to cover all fields where the two countries shared common problems, or could benefit from a better understanding of the others position.

On 16 May 1972, during the Queen's visit to Paris, an official communiqué was issued announcing the establishment of a Comite d'lnitiative Franco-britannique. [1]

40th Anniversary and beyond

In 2013, the Franco-British Council celebrated its 40th anniversary with an event at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office called 'Making the case for Europe'. The event featured a speech by the Rt Hon David Lidington MP, the Minister for Europe, as well as his French counterpart, Thierry Renpentin. Mr Lidington praised the FBC for being an organisation "which has been working tirelessly for the past four decades forging links across the Channel." [2]

At the same event, Thierry Renpentin described the FBC " 'as a “bridge.' A bridge between our political classes, a bridge between our economic players and, above all, a bridge between our two civil societies.” [3]

In 2015, Edward Leigh member of the Franco-British Council urged for closer co-operation between France and Britain in immigration policy. [4] In June, Dominic Grieve told the council David Cameron's plan to alter human right legislation would make the European Convention on Human Rights "inoperable". [5]

Activities

The Council organises a programme of specialised meetings on a variety of subjects under the broad headings of:

The seminars bring together leading professionals who are encouraged to develop bilateral networks. The council also publishes reports of the meetings, for the benefit both of the participants themselves and of policy makers in the two countries. Competitions exist to promote France and French to a younger age group.

Defence

Each year, the Franco-British defence conference brings together government people, senior military, industrialists, think tankers, academics and journalists on a set of issues affecting both nations and how they can work together to be better.

In 2012, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Peter Luff gave a speech saying "Defence is central to the values the UK and France share." [7]

In 2014, HE Sir Peter Ricketts, British Ambassador to France, described the conference as having "showed the value of an organisation like the Franco-British Council, who can convene people from a wider sphere perhaps than two governments would to contribute to the debate that we’re having." [8]

Funding

Basic funding is provided by the two governments, but the Council aims to supplement this for specific projects, with contributions from other sources. In its management of funds, the council is guided by its Trustees, by its Memorandum of Understanding and by its charitable status, and is independent of government.

Organisation

Secretary-General

The council is run by Secretary-General Ann Kenrick CBE. Following fifteen years in the private sector selling Hydro Electric Plants to West Africa and managing top Information Technology Accounts at IBM, Ann has been running the British Section of the FBC for 20 years. In 2015 she received the Honour of the Chevalier de L'ordre national du Merite for her outstanding work in bringing France and Britain together over the past two decades.

In addition to her interest in Franco-British relations she has also developed a strong portfolio in the Environmental Transport arena as Chair of the London Cycling Campaign and founder/chair of a South London Safe Routes to School group.

She has chaired and spoken at many travel conferences and has published Let Me Out!; How to enjoy the school run, a book to encourage parents to let their children walk and bike to school. [9]

Chair

The Chair is formally appointed by the Foreign Secretary and serves a maximum four years. Rt Hon Baroness Quin of Gateshead, Former Minister for Europe, stepped down in March 2013 after a highly successful four years as chair. The new Chair is Rt Hon Baroness Blackstone, former Opposition Spokeswoman on Foreign Affairs in the House of Lords.

Trustees

A board of trustees oversee the work of the council. Trustees are selected from the membership and serve a maximum of six years. A full board of trustees is available on the official website. [10]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leader of the House of Commons</span> Political role in the UK Government

The leader of the House of Commons is a minister of the Crown of the Government of the United Kingdom whose main role is organising government business in the House of Commons. The leader is always a member or attendee of the cabinet of the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tessa Blackstone, Baroness Blackstone</span> British politician (born 1942)

Tessa Ann Vosper Blackstone, Baroness Blackstone, is an English politician and university administrator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Lidington</span> British Conservative politician

Sir David Roy Lidington is a British politician who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Aylesbury from 1992 until 2019. A member of the Conservative Party, he served as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office from 2018 to 2019 and was frequently described as being Theresa May's de facto Deputy Prime Minister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick McLoughlin</span> British Conservative politician

Patrick Allen McLoughlin, Baron McLoughlin, is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he first became the Member of Parliament (MP) for West Derbyshire following the 1986 by-election. The constituency became the Derbyshire Dales for the 2010 general election; McLoughlin remained the seat's MP until 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarah Hogg, Viscountess Hailsham</span> English economist, journalist and life peer (born 1946)

Sarah Hogg, Viscountess Hailsham, Baroness Hogg, Baroness Hailsham of Kettlethorpe is a British economist, journalist, and politician. She was the first woman to chair a FTSE 100 company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sayeeda Warsi, Baroness Warsi</span> British-Pakistani lawyer and Conservative politician

Sayeeda Hussain Warsi, Baroness Warsi, is a British lawyer, politician, and member of the House of Lords who served as co-chairwoman of the Conservative Party from 2010 to 2012. She served in the Cameron–Clegg coalition, first as the Minister without portfolio between 2010 and 2012, then as the Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and as the Minister of State for Faith and Communities, until her resignation citing her disagreement with the Government's policy relating to the Israel–Gaza conflict in August 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservative European Forum</span>

The Conservative European Forum (CEF) was founded in 1969 to promote the UK's entry into the European Economic Community. The organisation is committed to a positive and constructive approach to the UK's relationships with the democracies of Europe, including the European Union.

The Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT) is a charity that works to promote the mutual understanding of Parliament and business. It works within the Parliament of the United Kingdom and organisations from all sectors of industry. It is non-partisan, non-lobbying and not-for-profit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lindsay Northover, Baroness Northover</span> British academic and Liberal Democrat politician

Lindsay Patricia Northover, Baroness Northover, is a British academic, Liberal Democrat politician, member of the House of Lords, and former junior government minister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shadow Cabinet of Iain Duncan Smith</span> Shadow Cabinet of the United Kingdom from 2001 to 2003

The UK Shadow Cabinet was appointed by Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith. Following his initial appointments in September 2001 Smith managed three reshuffles before his resignation as leader in November 2003.

The Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu) is a non-profit organization that is committed to promoting British Middle East policy based on international law, human rights, and civil society. Caabu has been active since its foundation in 1967, serving as an advocate, media and educational platform to shape UK foreign policy and public opinion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gloria Hooper, Baroness Hooper</span> Britiah lawuer and politician

Gloria Dorothy Hooper, Baroness Hooper, is a British lawyer and a Conservative life peer in the House of Lords.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Dissolution Honours</span> UK honours issued 28 May 2010

The 2010 Dissolution Honours List was issued on 28 May 2010 at the advice of the outgoing Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. The list was gazetted on 15 June.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tina Stowell, Baroness Stowell of Beeston</span> British Conservative politician and life peer

Tina Wendy Stowell, Baroness Stowell of Beeston, is a British Conservative politician and member of the House of Lords.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservative Middle East Council</span>

The Conservative Middle East Council or CMEC is an organisation that exists to help ensure that British Conservative MPs and Peers better understand the Middle East. Its director is former MP Charlotte Leslie who was appointed in July 2017.

The Honours Committee is a committee within the Cabinet Office of the Government of the United Kingdom formed to review nominations for national honours for merit, exceptional achievement or service. Twice yearly the Honours Committee submits formal recommendations for the British monarch's New Years and Birthday Honours. Members of the Honours Committee—which comprises a main committee and nine subcommittees in speciality areas—research and vet nominations for national awards, including knighthoods and the Order of the British Empire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours</span>

The 2016 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours are honours awarded following the July 2016 resignation of Prime Minister David Cameron. The life peerages and other honours were issued as two separate lists by the Cabinet Office on 4 August 2016 and all honours were gazetted as one list on 16 August 2016. This was the first Prime Minister's Resignation Honours since 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours</span>

The 2019 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours are honours awarded following the July 2019 resignation of the Prime Minister, Theresa May. The life peerages and other honours were issued as two separate lists by the Cabinet Office on 10 September 2019, while the honours were gazetted as one list on 28 October 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minister without portfolio (United Kingdom)</span> Member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the minister without portfolio is often a cabinet position, and is sometimes used to enable the chairman of the governing party, contemporarily either the chairman of the Conservative Party or the chair of the Labour Party to attend cabinet meetings. The sinecure positions of Lord Privy Seal, Paymaster General, and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which have few responsibilities and have a higher rank in the order of precedence than minister without portfolio can also be used to similar effect. The office is currently held by Richard Holden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pompidou Group</span>

The Council of Europe International Cooperation Group on Drugs and Addiction, also known as Pompidou Group is the co-operation platform of the Council of Europe on matters of drug policy currently composed of 42 countries. It was established as an ad'hoc inter-governmental platform in 1971 until its incorporation into the Council of Europe in 1980. Its headquarters are in Strasbourg, France.

References

  1. ↑ "Franco-British Council".
  2. ↑ "Minister for Europe speech at the Franco-British Council".
  3. ↑ "Europe Minister talks to 40-year-old Franco-British Council". France in the United Kingdom - La France au Royaume-Uni.
  4. ↑ "'End Calais illegal immigrants crisis now". Lincolnshire Echo.
  5. ↑ "Scrapping the Human Rights Act will 'restore' Magna Carta's legacy". The Independent. 15 June 2015.
  6. ↑ "Scrapping the Human Rights Act will 'restore' Magna Carta's legacy". The Independent. 2015-06-15. Archived from the original on June 16, 2015. Retrieved 2019-07-18.
  7. ↑ "2012/03/21 - Franco-British Council 2012 Defence Conference".
  8. ↑ "Defence Cooperation and the Franco-British Council". 7 April 2014.
  9. ↑ "Members · About the Franco-British Council · Franco-British Council".
  10. ↑ "Members".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.