ABSTRACT
This chapter offers some reflections on the Council as educational institution in relation to: context; programmes; the exchange of people; the principle of mutuality; the place of culture in development; promoting Britain and increasing 'international understanding'. The British Council is often assumed by people outside it to be a direct arm of Government. There are clear parallels with the Arts Council or the BBC in organisation; but whereas the former operates in a purely national context, the British Council has constantly to determine what, how and to whom it shall project a British perspective. The British Council was playing a very paternalistic role, because, other than very official very formal conducted tours, they didn't encourage interaction outside the classroom. The British Council moved into the Ministries of Education in a privileged position, as working colleagues. The British Council will no doubt go on 'promoting Britain' as it has done so effectively for more than fifty years.
