What role does state diplomacy play in the UK's soft power?
The House of Lords Committee on Soft Power and the UK's Influence this week takes evidence from some of the UK's foremost former diplomats, as its inquiry moves on to look at how approaches to promoting influence overseas have changed in recent years
The Committee will hear from Sir Antony Acland, former head of the UK diplomatic service and Ambassador to Washington, Lord Hannay of Chiswick, former UK permanent representative to the EEC and the UN and Lord Jay of Ewelme, who was previously head of the diplomatic service and Ambassador to Paris.
The Committee is expected to question the witnesses about how the UK's approach to diplomacy has broadened to address not just governments but also a large audience of non-governmental interests, what they think are the greatest threats to the UK's influence overseas, what role the UK's membership of international networks plays in its soft power, and how the Foreign and Commonwealth Office works with other government departments to promote the UK abroad.
The evidence session will start at 4.10 pm on Tuesday 26 November in Committee Room 1 of the House of Lords.
The session will be webcast at www.parliamentlive.tv and is also open to the public. Journalists wishing to attend should go to Parliament's Cromwell Green Entrance and should allow time for security screening.
