Inspired by Davos World Economic Forum’s mission and recognising the excellence of UK and French top-tier academics institution which have educated most international leaders globally, the Entente Cordiale Day aims to become a forum where students and future leaders meet annually in April to present to today's leaders their ideas, recommendations and innovative solutions to tackle the most pressing global challenges.
Maitre Yves-Justice Djimi, Founder of the Entente Cordiale Day Association
Mission
Honouring History, Inspiring the Future
Launched in 2024 at the Château de Breteuil, and under the High Patronage of the President of France and with the support of His Majesty King Charles III, the Entente Cordiale Day Association aims to embody the spirit of the Entente Cordiale struck in 1904 between the United Kingdom and France. Every year, we bring together the greatest minds from the two nations’ top academic institutions to produce, discuss, and provide solution-focused research on today’s most pressing global issues.
Innovation as a Bridge Between Britain and France
The Entente Cordiale Day is, above all, a platform for meaningful exchange between today’s leaders and the rising generation. Every year, we bring together the greatest minds from the two nations’ top academic institutions to produce, discuss, and provide solution-focused research on today’s most pressing global issues. These institutions include Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL, King’s College, and Imperial College London on the UK side, as well as various universities in France, including the Sorbonne Paris, Sciences Po, EDHEC, Dauphine, and CentraleSupélec. Following months of rigorous preparation, ten teams from the UK and France are selected through the EC Day Challenge, first by a Written Jury of world-class academics, then by a Grand Jury of prominent global figures, to be awarded prizes and have their reports published.
Heritage as a Link Between the Past and Future
With the involvement of the family of the Marquis de Breteuil, the Marquess of Salisbury, and the patronage of the President of France and the British Monarch, the Entente Cordiale Day Association symbolises the union of a heritage of over 400 years with reflection on contemporary trends and challenges.
It is for this reason that the Entente Cordiale Day Association is anchored in the iconic sites where history has been continuously made. The two-day 2025 Entente Cordiale Day Summit, held on the 7th and 8th of April in the United Kingdom, saw a series of high-level talks, presentations, and ceremonies across the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the House of Commons, the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, the London School of Economics, and Hatfield House. In 2026, the Entente Cordiale Day Summit will be held in France and will similarly boast of symbolic venues such as the Hôtel des Invalides, the École militaire, the Pantheon-Sorbonne, and the Château de Breteuil.
Through the support of previous sponsors, partners from civil society groups, and members of the nobility connected to us through our Entente Cordiale Day Prizes, events and meetings have also been organised throughout the year in locations such as the House of Lords, Buckingham Palace, Élysée Palace, and Blenheim Palace.
Venues
Hatfield House
The current Hatfield House was built in 1611 for Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury. The Royal Palace that formerly stood on the site was the childhood home of King Henry VIII’s children, who would later be crowed as King Edward VI, Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I. It was in the gardens of Hatfield House, under the Queen Elizabeth’s oak, that Elizabeth I famously heard the news of her accession to the throne in 1558.
Structure
Entente Cordiale Day is a unique student and alumni-led initiative shaped around three annual events:
The Entente Cordiale Day Challenge
The Entente Cordiale Challenge is a prestigious Franco-British academic competition that invites university students to tackle urgent global issues through collaborative research and policy innovation. Rooted in the spirit of cross-cultural dialogue and cooperation, the Challenge brings together teams of three students from higher education institutions in the UK and France to develop original, solution-focused reports on a pressing annual theme.
The 2025–2026 edition, themed “Conflicts, Technologies, and World Security,” encourages participants to explore the complex interplay between global conflict, technological advancement, and the evolving concept of security.
Finalists present their ideas to a Grand Jury during the Entente Cordiale Days, where the most outstanding contributions are awarded and celebrated at the highest levels of public and academic recognition.
The Entente Cordiale Day Summit
Each year, the Entente Cordiale Day Summit brings together a distinguished network of decision-makers from across the academic, economic, political, financial, cultural, and artistic sectors of both the United Kingdom and France. This exceptional two-day event, hosted alternately in each country, features the finalist presentations of the Entente Cordiale Day Challenge, a series of debates, commemorations, and high-level exchanges focused on pressing global issues. This once-in-a-lifetime experience culminates in a prestigious celebration at either the iconic Hatfield House (UK) or the historic Château de Breteuil (France), where the Entente Cordiale Day Prizes are awarded. Sponsors can receive invitations to the Opening Ceremony on the 7th and the Closing Ceremony on the 8th of April, offering unmatched access to thought leaders and future change-makers.
The Entente Cordiale Day Alumni Meeting reunites all Entente Cordiale Day Alumni annually at the House of Lords or the French Senate to foster networking, collaboration and Franco-British partnerships by creating long-lasting bonds.
2026 Opening Ceremony
Hôtel des Invalides, Paris
Set against the grand backdrop of the Hôtel des Invalides, this elegant champagne reception marks the formal start of the Summit. Attendees include student finalists, leading academics from France and the UK, representatives from NGOs, research centres, civil society, and sponsoring organisations. Short speeches open the evening, followed by a relaxed networking opportunity among distinguished guests.
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2026 Closing Ceremony
Château de Breteuil, near Paris
The grand finale of the Summit, this formal awards evening honours the winning student teams. Guests include members of the Breteuil and Salisbury families, senior government officials from both nations, UK nobility, Grand Jury members, university presidents, CEOs, renowned academics, research centre directors, and select public figures. A champagne reception is followed by the awards ceremony and a refined three-course dinner in an unforgettable setting.
The Entente Cordiale Day Alumni Meeting
This annual gathering serves as a unique forum for dialogue among EC Day alumni from diverse fields. Held alternately between the UK and France, this year we have the pleasure to gather in the House of Lords under the aegis of Lord Soames of Fletching. The 2025 Alumni Meeting will centre around the long-lasting impact of the Olympics and Paralympics Games of London 2012 and Paris 2024 and will explore how both cities have influenced the world through arts, finance, architecture, fashion, sustainability, mobility, education, and, of course, sport.
History of the Entente Cordiale Day
Entente Cordiale Day,
an annual celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy
Our Executive Team 2025-2026
The Entente Cordiale Day Association is powered by committed students and volunteers to deliver a once in a lifetime experience to student challenge participants and lead the Entente Cordiale Day alumni and partners’ network. The objective is to build every year in April and July a strong Entente Cordiale Student and Alumni Community.
Matilde Fulfaro
UK President
University of Cambridge
From Italy
Harmonie-Toscane
St Pierre Delhaye
French President
Sorbonne University
From Canada
Ingrid Chan
Vice President of Partnerships
University College London
From Hong Kong