The Political, Press and Public Affairs Section of the British Embassy in Luanda is responsible for presenting and promoting UK Government policy in Angola. Its activities include:

- Acting as the point of contact between the Embassy and local media
- Liaison with Government Ministries
- Issuing Press Releases on stories of interest to local media
- Responding to local requests for information about the UK
- Promoting the study of English as a foreign language
- Promoting British culture
- Maintaining the Embassy’s website

The Press and Public Affairs Section also helps to administer the Chevening Scholarships programme and the Embassy’s Bilateral Program Fund.

Chevening Scholarships

Each year the United Kingdom offers a few highly-coveted opportunities for Angola’s future leaders, decision-makers and opinion formers to study in the UK under the British Chevening scholarship scheme.

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of open competition. Successful candidates are always graduates, between 25 and 35 years of age, with an already established career and an outstanding record of achievement or proven leadership potential.

On completion of their studies, they will return to Angola to contribute to the country’s development by implementing the new skills and knowledge acquired in the United Kingdom.

Candidates must be able to show a high level of fluency in the English language in order to benefit from the scheme. Any discipline may be considered, but successful candidates tended to study in areas such as Human Rights; International Relations; Economic Management or Development Management. The usual course of study is a postgraduate Masters Degree involving 12 months’ study at a UK university.

The Chevening scholarship scheme is administered by the British Embassy in Luanda, in conjunction with the British Council in London.

BILATERAL PROGRAMME FUND (BPF)

The Bilateral Programme Fund is a small fund which enables the British Embassy to respond flexibly and quickly to changing conditions in Angola. It is used to support small scale initiatives which complement UK policy objectives in Angola. Awards are at the discretion of the Ambassador.

Key Areas

BPF focuses on the following areas:

 - Support for economic reform and PRSP processes, including the promotion of best practice amongst all stakeholders to complement DfID activities in this field;

 - Projects which complement and advance the work of the Luanda Urban Poverty Programme (LUPP);

 - Promotion and facilitation of mature, informed dialogue and debate which allows Angolan civil society’s voice to be heard and which helps civil society take an active part in decisions which affect it;

 - Projects to promote the rights and interests of groups traditionally excluded from decision-making such as children, women, and disabled people;

 - Projects which contribute towards peace-building and conflict reduction in a post-conflict environment including  weapons reduction and destruction projects.

 - Projects should complement ongoing, indigenous initiatives in order to improve sustainability.

 -Projects should also have a multiplier effect, either through the promotion of best practice, or through the wide dissemination of values and ideals.

The Embassy will consider proposals, which meet the above criteria on a case by case basis. There is no specific application form or deadline for BPF bids.

Services for Journalists

If you are looking for the latest speech by The British Prime Minister, planning a trip to Britain to do some research for a forthcoming article or broadcast, moving to Britain as a London correspondent or would like to interview the Ambassador, the Press and Public Affairs staff are happy to help you.

Press releases, speeches and other information on British policies

The News section of this website contains a selection of the latest speeches by British Foreign Office ministers and Government. There are further ministerial speeches on The Foreign and Commonwealth Office website. If you need further information on a particular subject please feel free to contact us.

Press briefings with visiting British ministers and officials

When British ministers and senior officials visit Angola, we arrange press briefings and interviews with Angolan journalists. Depending on the visit programme, these events can be open to all journalists or on an invitation-only basis. If you would like to be kept informed of these events, please contact us.

If you are interested in any of these services or think we can help in any other way, please contact:

Tel: 244222 334582
Fax: 244222 333331
E-mail: ppa.luanda@fco.gov.uk