British Council in Algeria

The British Council in Algeria (Arabic: المجلس الثقافي البريطاني في الجزائر) is a British organisation specialising in cultural and educational opportunities in Algeria. It works in the country promoting a wider knowledge of the UK and the English language; encouraging cultural, scientific, technological and educational co-operation between the two countries and promoting the British culture, education and society.

British Council in Algeria
المجلس الثقافي البريطاني في الجزائر
Founded
  • 1962 (1962) (original)
  • 2006 (2006) (relaunch)
FounderUnited Kingdom Government
TypeCultural Institution
Headquarters40 Benali Abdellah Brothers Avenue (ex-Parmentier), Hydra, Algiers, Algeria
Area served
Nationwide
ProductBritish cultural and language education
OwnerBritish Council
Key people
Abderrahim Ait Bara (English language projects coordinator)
Websitewww.britishcouncil.dz

History

In 1934, the British Foreign Office officials created the British Committee for Relations with Other Countries to "support English education abroad, promote British culture and fight the rise of fascism".[1] The name quickly became British Council for Relations with Other Countries and was then, in 1936, officially shortened to British Council.[2] With Algeria's independence in 1962, the British Council opened its first office in Algiers, but closed in 1994 due to the security situation in the country. In 2006, the British Council reopened in Algiers with operations commencing in 2007.[3]

In July 2015, the British Council in Algeria partnered with Echorouk El Yawmi to launch a competition to learn English. The newspaper used to publish a series of weekly articles in English from July 24 to August 20, 2015. Participants had to read the articles then answer the two asked questions on the British Council's website, the newspaper's website or the Facebook page. The prizes were granted to five winners and were awarded in September in a ceremony held at the UK Ambassador's Residence in Algiers in presence of prominent personalities.[4]

Organization

British Council building in London

The British Council in Algeria is a charity registered in England and Wales and Scotland and is governed by Royal Charter. It is also a public corporation and an executive nondepartmental public body (NDPB), sponsored by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Its headquarters are located in Hydra, Algiers.

Activity

Much of what the British Council does in Algeria has an international dimension involving countries in North Africa and the Middle East such as Connecting Classrooms, Skills for Employability and Active Citizens. It works with Algerian organisations, be they governmental or non-governmental, to develop various programs, especially in the area of English and education. It also organises arts and cultural activities with local partners.[3]

See also

References

  1. "History - British Council". BritishCouncil.org. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
  2. Donaldson, Frances (1984). The British Council : the first fifty years. London: J. Cape. ISBN 0-224-02041-2.
  3. "British Council Algeria – About". Facebook. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
  4. Bouakba, Marwa (July 24, 2015). "Echorouk and British Council launch English language competition". Echorouk Online. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
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