Public diplomacy is the term we use to achieve our policy goals through our work with the public overseas.  

The FCO works in different ways through public diplomacy to support the achievement of these goals:

• BBC World Service plays a vital role in disseminating impartial news and information around the world.  It is funded primarily through grant-in-aid from the FCO but has complete editorial independence.
• the British Council is the UK's designated body for promoting UK culture and education overseas.   It also receives an element of its funding through grant-in-aid from the FCO but has operational independence.
• British Satellite News (BSN) is a TV news service provided by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, producing material focussing on the UK’s international objectives.  35 broadcasters in the Middle East and over 450 elsewhere around the world regularly use BSN material.
• the FCO produces a wide range of publications and displays for use overseas.
• the FCO also commissions and produces TV features and documentaries, which are broadcast in over 120 countries.
• the FCO works with partners across the UK government to promote its priorities through key international events, such as the 2012 Summer Olympics and International Expositons (Expos).
  

Public diplomacy board

In line with Lord Carter’s review of public diplomacy in 2006 the FCO established a Public Diplomacy Board to oversee public diplomacy activity.  The Board is chaired by Jim Murphy, Minister of State, and has five other members: Chris Powell (Deputy Chair and independent member), Simon Anholt (independent member), Martin Davidson (Director General of the British Council), Lucian Hudson (Director of Communication, FCO) and Nigel Chapman (Director of the BBC World Service, sitting as an observer).

The Board has defined the purpose of our public diplomacy effort as delivering the Government’s goals rather than promoting the UK for its own sake, or UK-branding.  This is in line with Lord Carter’s recommendations.

Working with public diplomacy partners

We have worked hard over the year to develop greater unity and co-operation with our key public diplomacy partners.  In line with Lord Carter’s recommendations, we and our partners have established a new group, the Public Diplomacy Partners Group, to bring us all together.

Public diplomacy partners group

The group has focused on issues such as the public diplomacy opportunities presented by the Olympics, and the welcome given to visitors as they arrive in British airports. The Public Diplomacy Partners Group has a remit to provide input and advice to the Public Diplomacy Board and to develop the Board's specific initiatives.
Chair: Tom Wright, VisitBritain.

Members: BBC World Service (observer), British Council, Department of Culture Media and Sport, Department for Education and Skills, Department for International Development, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence, Northern Ireland Civil Service, Office of Science & Innovation, Scottish Executive, UK Sport, UK Trade & Investment, UKvisas, VisitBritain, Visit London, Welsh Assembly. Independent member: Kevin Fitzgerald.