This is a joint project between the Kosovo and British Governments, which will be implemented by the British Council to improve the process of Kosovo’s recognition by countries which have still not taken such a decision.

Clegg’s visit was part of what British officials described as a “year-long charm offensive”. In this, he was successful, becoming the first British politician to address the Mexican senate, which he did in Spanish. He went on to ha{il} a new “axis of openness” and renewed ‘multilateral liberal interventionism’ in international affairs.

...what triggered this is that I’ve just noticed that the House of Lords actually had a debate on the coordination of UK soft power at the beginning of May. It’s all quite sensible. There’s a link to the transcript and a briefing note...

Britain's Queen Elizabeth connects with people easily, Prince Charles sometimes struggles and Diana had connectivity in spades.The big test for William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on their first international tour was how they would take to the crowds and how the crowds would take to them.

Monarchy and tourism experts alike say no marketing budget could buy the boost Canada will get from hosting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their first tour abroad since their April 29 wedding captivated the world.

The funding, provided over the next three years, is a response to the Arab Spring — the pro-democracy movements that have arisen in Egypt, Tunisia, Syria and other Arabic countries.

There has been a renewed focus on soft power, especially after the global publicity garnered by the British royal wedding in April. "We've got an extremely active British Council here," Mr Warrington said. "There are over 50 schools teaching the British syllabus. They're all taking British exams. There are more British universities than any other universities.

Lord Patten is adamant that the best way to appreciate the BBC is to go abroad. The last governor of Hong Kong and former European Commissioner said his love of the World Service made protecting it a priority, describing it as “an institution to be proud of”.