ECF UK Committee

On this page you can find information about the following aspects of the European Cultural Foundation UK National Committee

• ECF UK National Committee
• Mission Statement
• Committee members

European Cultural Foundation UK National Committee (ECF UK)

Set up in 1969 by Lord R.A.B. Butler as "The British National Committee for Cultural Co-operation in Europe (European Cultural Foundation)", the ECF UK National Committee is one of a number of independent national committees, the creation of which has been encouraged by ECF Amsterdam.

The ECF UK provides a forum for UK debate on the role and place of culture in Europe. It also co-operates with other bodies to organise and/or promote seminars, research, publications and other relevant activities, and to raise funds in support of this work.

Please note that ECF UK cannot fund projects, however ECF Amsterdam does have a funding and grants scheme.

ECF UK Mission Statement

The UK National Committee of the European Cultural Foundation seeks:

• To promote the objectives and programmes of the European Cultural Foundation, Amsterdam, and its role in furthering cultural co-operation and building partnerships to strengthen the European cultural dimension and stimulate intercultural dialogue.
• To provide a forum for UK debate on the role and place of culture in Europe today and in the future to support the European Cultural Foundation's role as an advocate for culture in European policies.
• To provide information and guidance on ways the European Cultural Foundation can assist UK-led or initiated cultural projects.
• To organise and/or promote seminars, research, publications and other relevant activities in support of the aims and the objectives of the UK Committee.
• To co-operate with other organisations, foundations, companies and institutions in furthering these objectives, though joint activities and programmes.

Committee Members

The National Committee meets on a regular basis to achieve its aims, to plan future activities and to discuss current issues affecting the UK, the European sphere and beyond. Current Committee members are:

• Mr Iain Sproat, new Chairman ECF UK (former Minister for the Arts)
• Mr Geraint Talfan Davies, Vice Chair ECF UK (Chairman Welsh National Opera and former Chairman, Arts Council of Wales)
• Mr Hywel Ceri Jones, advisor to ECF UK (Member of the Board of Governors European Cultural Foundation)
• Mr Graham Dixon. BBC Radio 3; Chairman of the European Broadcasting Union Music Group
• Mr Robin Guthrie, Committee member (former Director of Social & Economic Affairs, Council of Europe, former Chief Charity Commissioner for England and Wales, and former Chairman, Yorkshire Arts)
• Ms Sue Harrison, Committee member (former head of Arts, British Council, and former CEO, North West Arts)
• Rt. Hon. Lord Maclennan of Rogart, Committee member (former Chairman ECF UK)
• Ms Munira Mirza, Committee member (researcher, writer and thinker in social policy and multiculturalism issues)
• Mr. Robin O'Neill CMG, Committee member (former British Ambassador to Belgium and Austria)
• Prof. George Wedell, Committee member (former Director General, European Institute for the Media)
• Mr Robert Willer, Committee member (Barrister)
• Mr Alan Lee Williams OBE, Committee member (Director, The Atlantic Council UK)
• Dr. Enid Wistrich, Committee member (Visiting Professor, School of Social Sciences, Middlesex University)