2. Why is the Government commemorating the
centenary of the First World War?
Ø The sheer scale of the sacrifice
Ø The impact of the war on the development of
Britain and the world today
Ø The emotional connection: the war is a
fundamental part of our national consciousness
3. Ø To lead the nation in appropriate acts of remembrance and commemoration
Ø To provide encouragement and support for people from all sections of society, particularly young
people, to engage
Ø To enable communities and individuals to participate in a way that is appropriate and meaningful to
them
What is the Government’s Role?
4. Ø To support and champion key organisations in their activities to generate greater awareness
Ø To lead on the creation of a public programme of cultural events & activities to actively
engage the public, especially those outside the usual “remembrance” audience
Ø To ensure the UK plays an appropriate role in the world stage in relation to the centenary
plans of Commonwealth and other countries
5. What is the Government doing?
Ø Event 1: Entry of the British Empire to the War - 4 August 2014
Ø Event 2: The Gallipoli Landings - 25 April 2015
Ø Event 3: The Battle of Jutland - 31 May/1 June 2016
Ø Event 4: First day of the Battle of the Somme - 1 July 1916
Ø Event 5: Passchendaele (3rd Battle Ypres) - 31 July 2017
Ø Event 6: Armistice Day – 11 November 2018
Lead the nation in appropriate acts of commemoration on 6 key dates:
6. Deliver a programme of cultural events and activities:
Ø The Programme Director will
work with cultural partners and
arts organisations to design an
appropriate programme which
will:
ü Celebrate the culture inspired by the war
ü Use culture to reach a wide demographic
ü Deliver a shared moment of popular, UK- wide
participation
ü Have resonance with the centenary but which
ensures the commemorations go beyond its military
aspects
ü Be accessible and engaging
7. Provide a framework for learning and community engagement through:
Ø Delivery of national commemorative events
Ø Battlefields Visits Programme
Ø Government support for: HLF First World War grants programme,
IWM’s Centenary Partnership, and a wide range of activity on the
part of partners.
8. Governance Structure
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Advisory Group
Chair: Secretary of State
Prime Minister’s Special Representative
Inter-Departmental Government Programme Board
Chair: DCMS
9. What will success look like?
Ø Educational Legacy
Ø Cultural legacy
Ø Community legacy
Ø International legacy
