English-Speaking Union (ESU)

Address:

Dartmouth House 37 Charles Street London W1J 5ED UK

Telephone: (44) 20 7529 1550 Website: www.esu.org

Year established: 1918

Number of subscribing members: 5,500 in England and Wales

Officers (2015):

Chair: Lord Paul Boateng Director-General: Jane Easton

Aims and objectives:

The ESU promotes international understanding
and human achievement through the use of the English language. By building skills and confidence in communication, it gives people the opportunity
to realise their potential. Worldwide, the members and alumni of the ESU support these objectives. The ESU’s vision is to provide people in the UK and internationally with communication skills, confidence and networking opportunities.

The ESU is the UK’s leading provider of public speaking and debate training, and runs both UK and international competitions in both. It also administers a wide range of scholarship programmes for schoolchildren, university students and professionals in education. The ESU also organises cultural events, and international conferences and seminars.

Main activities:

In 2015 these include:

• International Public Speaking Competition: May 2015, London (over 50 countries represented)

• ESU International Council: October 2015, London

• My Magna Carta Essay Competition Grand Final: October 2015, London