British Council

The British Council was formed by the British government in 1941 with the aims to...

create in a country overseas a basis of friendly knowledge and understanding of the people of this country, of their philosophy and way of life, which will lead to a sympathetic appreciation of British foreign policy, whatever for the moment that policy may be and from whatever political conviction it may spring. (from Annual Report 1940-1941:15)

''National interpretation, a happier phrase than cultural propaganda, implies the employment by the state to the national advantage of the whole cultural resources of the nation. he term 'cultural resources' may be deemed to include all achievements of the nation past and present in the spheres of intellect, art, science, government, education, and invention, and that intangible but powerful force, the national personality, as manifested in a country's past history and present way of life. (from Annual Report 1940-1941:15-16)''

The British Council has schools in many countries overseas such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, although many have closed in the last several years. One would think that being allied with the British government itself, that the school would take good care of its teachers; however, in Japan unions have formed at the British Council schools there to fight for job security and labor violations.