UK Soft Power Council, 23 July 2025: abridged minutes
Published 26 January 2026
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1. Welcome, opening remarks
The Foreign Secretary and DCMS Secretary of State welcomed members to the meeting and thanked them for their work so far.
2. International Education Strategy
Baroness Smith, DFE Minister for Skills, talked through work on the International Education Strategy. Members discussed the importance of education to the UK’s soft power.
3. College of British Diplomacy
Olivier Evans presented on the new College of British Diplomacy, a new network to connect British diplomats, the private sector and global colleagues to foster collaboration.
4. Soft Power Strategy
Officials talked through findings from the strategy consultation, discussed the strategic framework, and set out the proposed goals and outcomes in the draft Soft Power Strategy, followed by general discussion.