Sir, It is concerning to see how so much recent coverage across the media seems to be based on the premise that any education links between the UK and Libya are a bad thing. At the British Council, we make no apology for working to build greater understanding — and ultimately trust — between young people in the UK and other countries, wherever they are in the world. This includes Libya.
The links we have built between UK and Libyan schools through our Connecting Classrooms programme broaden the horizons of young people. Through them, children here gain a better understanding of the wider world that will stand them in good stead for a future in the global economy. And the next generation of Libyans is able to experience what life in a very different society is really like. The scheme makes a difference in Libya, and in 5,000 schools across the 70 other countries involved.
Similarly, giving Libyan students the opportunity to study in our universities gives them an access to the outside world, which has been simply unavailable in Libya.
When calling educational links with Libya into question, we should ask ourselves what would isolating the very people who represent Libya’s future genuinely achieve — either for them, or for us?
Martin Davidson
Chief Executive, British Council
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Sir, Dr T. Hargey (letter, Mar 8) seems to have a rather narrow view of British involvement in the Middle East.
While it is true that the UK is not blemish-free in its regional record, for anyone that has travelled through the Arab world what is noticeable is the general warmth felt by the local population to the British.
The British Council can barely keep up with the demand from the Arab street, and the popularity of British music, films and goods, is coupled with the comparative advantage that British companies have in doing business at all levels of corporate society. Indeed, in my travels to the region, the biggest cry is not “Down with the British” but “When will the British give us as much attention as we give Britain?” Perfidious Albion it is not.
Sam Olsen
London N2