Franco-British Council - About the FBC

About the FBC

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	Origins and Structure	The Franco-British Council was created, on the joint initiative of President Georges Pompidou and Prime Minister Edward Heath, when Britain joined the European Community. Its setting up was formally announced in a communiqué issued in May 1972 at the end of the State visit by the Queen to France. Basic funding is provided by the two governments, but the Council aims to supplement this, for specific projects, with contributions from other sources. The Council has two sections: one British (in London) and one French (in Paris).

	Purpose	The aim is to 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.

	Method	The Council organises a programme of specialised meetings on a variety of subjects under the broad headings of Foreign and Security Policy, Social and Economic Affairs and Culture and Education. The meetings 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.

	Membership Download British list of members Download French list of members Download application form Download info on process	Membership is by application or co-option and numbers around thirty. Vacancies are advertised in the press. Members are chosen on the basis of their potential contribution to Franco-British relations. They are invited to put forward proposals and, where appropriate, to assist in the execution of projects and participate in the meetings, which are jointly organised by the French bureau and British secretariat. The current list of members and trustees can be found in the Annual Report. For details of the French members, bureau and Chair see contact details of the French Section.

	BRITISH SECTION Chairman: Rt. Hon. Baroness Quin (see right with Maurice Fraser and Ann Kenrick) Deputy Chairman: Maurice Fraser Trustees: Rt. Hon. Lord Prosser, John Noulton, David Walker Secretary-General: Ann Kenrick Publications: Henry Paker