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Honouring this history of Entente Cordiale, rewarding academic excellence and shaping the future through innovation and collaboration
About Us
About the Entente Cordiale Day Association
The Entente Cordiale Day Association is dedicated to fostering Franco-British relations through academic collaboration, cultural exchanges, and leadership development.
Rooted in history, our initiative traces back to a pivotal meeting in 1881 between the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) and Léon Gambetta, laying the foundation for the Entente Cordiale Agreement of 1904. Since its launch on April 8, 2024, under the High Patronage of the President of France and the support of His Majesty King Charles III, Entente Cordiale Day has united students, alumni, and professionals to tackle pressing global challenges such as climate change, security, and artificial intelligence.
Vision:
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.
Mission:
Our mission is to harness the creative potential of students by facilitating research and proposals through the Entente Cordiale Prizes University Challenge which address critical global issues such as climate change, artificial intelligence, and security. We strive to cultivate a diverse community of students across various academic disciplines and levels, supported by an international team and esteemed global experts who assess their work and award the Entente Cordiale Prizes, inspiring transformative ideas and actionable recommendations for a better future.
By positioning Entente Cordiale Day as a small "Davos for Students," we aim to establish a premier platform where young minds convene, collaborate, and contribute to shaping solutions for global issues. This initiative honors the historical roots of the Entente Cordiale while propelling its spirit into the future through proactive and inclusive engagement.
History
History of the Entente Cordiale
The roots of the Entente Cordiale trace back to March 12, 1881, when the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, met with Léon Gambetta, President of the French National Assembly. Hosted by the 8th Marquis de Breteuil at Château de Breteuil, this meeting laid the foundation for the Entente Cordiale Agreement, formally signed on April 8, 1904. This pivotal treaty marked the end of centuries of conflict between Britain and France, ushering in a new era of diplomacy and friendship.
Entente Cordiale Day, an annual celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy
Entente Cordiale Day was conceived on 8 September, 2022, in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who was a living embodiment of the Entente Cordiale, solidifying this relationship throughout her 70-year reign. “Queen Elizabeth was the golden thread binding our two great nations,” as His Majesty King Charles III said during his state visit to France in September 2023. The Queen Elizabeth II Entente Cordiale Prize is an annual testament of this extraordinary legacy. As President Macron said in his tribute, “the Queen will live with us forever.” Every year on March 8, we celebrate Women’s Day, and on May 8, VE Day. Similarly, now and going forward, every year on April 8 (the anniversary of the signing of the Entente Cordiale on April 8, 1904), we will celebrate Entente Cordiale Day. In this way we will also pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as well as Her Majesty’s predecessors and successors, with the support of His Majesty King Charles III.
The relationship between the founders of Entente Cordiale Day and Queen Elizabeth II started in 2004, during the celebrations of the centenary of the Entente Cordiale. It was consecrated ten years later in 2014, during Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s last state visit to France; On this very special occasion the Entente Cordiale Day founders had a private audience with Her Majesty Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the British Embassy in Paris, and presented Queen Elizabeth II with letters of historical importance from Her Majesty’s grandfather, King George V, sent in 1912, to the grandfather of the Entente Cordiale Day French Honorary President, the Marquis de Breteuil. It is in memory of this founding moment, upon hearing the death of Her Majesty Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022, that the idea of an Entente Cordiale Day was conceived, as an annual celebration of the best work on global challenges. This was when it was decided that the top two UK Entente Cordiale Prizes would be named after Queen Elizabeth II and King Edward VII.
About Hatfield House / Royal Hospital Chelsea
Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, England, and the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London serve as iconic venues for Entente Cordiale Day’s key events.
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Hatfield House, a historic estate with stunning gardens and architecture, hosts the Annual Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, where winning teams receive their Entente Cordiale Prizes. Suggested Image: Exterior view of Hatfield House with its gardens
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Royal Hospital Chelsea, renowned for its classical concerts and historical significance, is the location of the Opening Ceremony and Cocktail Dinner, featuring national anthems, flag-raising ceremonies, and networking opportunities. Suggested Image: Courtyard of the Royal Hospital Chelsea
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Annual calendar of the Entente Cordiale Prizes
1) Awareness and Recruitment
(September–October)
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Recruitment campaigns in top French and UK academic institutions.
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Registration opens for student teams, highlighting the year’s global theme (e.g., Climate Change and Biodiversity).
2) Research, Evaluation, and Finalist Selection (November–March)
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Teams conduct research and submit reports tackling the global theme.
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Written reports are evaluated, and finalists are selected to present their findings.
3) Grand Jury Presentations and Awards Gala
(April 7–8)
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Grand Jury Presentations at the London School of Economics and rotating university: Finalists showcase their solutions to global challenges, judged by an elite panel.
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Opening Ceremony and Cocktail Dinner at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London alternating with the Hotel des Invalides in Paris: A prestigious event featuring speeches and cultural performances focused on learning societies, think tanks and academia.
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Awards Gala Dinner alternating between at Hatfield House and Château de Breteuil: Winners are celebrated in a formal setting with high-profile networking opportunities focused on corporate, business and celebrities' symbols of Franco-British excellence
4) Presentation to National Leaders (June-July)
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Winning teams present their work at Buckingham Palace and the Élysée Palace.
5) Alumni Networking and Collaboration (Early July)
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Annual Alumni Meeting alternating between the House of Lords and the French Senate, featuring discussions on Franco-British collaboration.
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