Launch of Breaking Boundaries, Building Bridges at the EU offices in London

Launch of Breaking Boundaries, Building Bridges at the EU offices in London

Initiated by Glyndwr Jones, we were delighted, this week on 11 February 2026, to co-host Building Bridges: The Role of Cultural Diplomacy in EU–UK Relations in partnership with the EU Delegation to the UK at their offices in London. The event explored how culture and the creative industries play a vital role in fostering dialogue, cooperation and lasting people-to-people links.

The occasion marked the launch of our booklet Breaking Boundaries, Building Bridges: The Arts as a Universal Language alongside the EU’s recently released strategic framework Culture Compass for Europe, which places culture at the heart of its policy.

The EU Ambassador to the UK, Pedro Serrano, opened the evening followed by Glyndwr speaking about Breaking Boundaries, Building Bridges which includes a foreword by Lord Vaizey of Didcot and an afterword by Nick Allott, Vice Chair of Cameron Mackintosh Ltd, subsequently leading a panel discussion with:

  • Lord Vaizey of Didcot, longest serving UK Government Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, a Privy Counsellor, Chair of the UK-ASEAN Business Council, and political commentator
  • Kelly O’Connor, Director of EUNIC and Head of Cultural Affairs at the Embassy of Ireland
  • Ian Ascough, Deputy Director, International at the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS)
  • Gosia McKane, Director of the Liverpool European Partnership

Speakers reflected on how collaboration across culture, education and the creative sectors can support mutual understanding, economic opportunity and stronger international partnerships—particularly at a time of global uncertainty. The Ambassador highlighted how the decision for the UK to rejoin Erasmus+ and the ongoing negotiations for an EU-UK Youth Experience Scheme will bring our societies closer together, and the evening concluded with a networking reception and a beautiful live performance by the Scintilla Quartet from the Royal Academy of Music.

To view an electronic copy of Breaking Boundaries, Building Bridges, please click here. A printable pdf version is available here. We thank The Cameron Mackintosh Foundation for their support.