HL Deb 05 January 2004 vol 657 cc10-1WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they propose to facilitate academic, cultural and sporting exchanges between the United Kingdom and Russia. [HL420]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The Government's primary agency for promoting academic and cultural exchanges overseas is the British Council, which receives a grant of around £170 million per year from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The British Council has regional offices throughout Russia, including in Moscow, St Petersburg and Ekaterinburg. Among other services, it provides an information and consulting service for those wishing to study in the UK, a cybercentre with access to British Internet resources and English language teaching and examinations. In addition the council runs projects in Russia covering education, science, the arts and development and training services. Full details of the work of the British Council in Russia can be found on the Internet athttp://www.britishcouncil.ru/.

The Public Diplomacy Challenge Fund considers bids, primarily from our overseas posts, for funding for projects linked to public diplomacy; including those with an academic, cultural or sporting theme. Current or recent projects in Russia include: the UK/Russia forum on genetics, which promotes greater understanding of issues arising from advances in biosciences; UK fashion week in Yekatrinburg, which promoted cutting edge UK design ideas; and a range of projects such as a Manchester week and a Damian Hirst exhibition showcasing the UK in St Petersburg.

Last year the FCO also funded 37 places for Russian scholars under the Chevening Scholarship Scheme.