The Role of British Council in UK Culture Diplomacy

Abstract

The UK and the British Council have long been recognized as global leaders in the use of culture as an instrument of diplomacy and foreign policy. However, as the cultural landscape in Europe begins to shift as a result of Brexit, the UK’s cultural diplomacy has become increasingly important. This paper provides a systematic review of the British Council’s role in British cultural diplomacy by mapping its policy instruments, organizational framework, and overseas activities. By critically analyzing the interaction between the British Council and British cultural diplomacy, the study discusses the inherent relationship between national strategic planning and the different policy instruments and activities it generates. The British Council’s global activities demonstrate that cultural institutions provide an important reference for audiences as creators and communicators of cultural diplomacy and soft power narratives.