About US
The idea of creating the Anglo Chilean Society was formed during a conversation between the Chilean Ambassador to London and great anglophile, Señor Manuel Bianchi, and Mr Arthur Loveday OBE, a friend and admirer of Chile where he had spent twenty years of his life, and where his children were born. It was at a luncheon party on 19th January 1944 at the Chilean Embassy at 3 Hamilton Place, London W1 when those present decided to form the first General Committee. An Executive Committee was selected and Señor Bianchi was nominated as President with the Earl of Dundonald as Chairman.
The objectives of the Society drafted on that occasion are still in force:
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To advance the education of the people of Great Britain about Chile, its people, history, language, literature, its institutions, folklore and culture, as well as its intellectual, artistic and economic life.
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To support charitable initiatives in Chile. To achieve this objective the Society will organise lectures, concerts, film shows and a series of social functions to raise funds for its general purposes.
In 2008 the British Chilean Chamber of Commerce based in London merged with the Anglo Chilean Society bringing on board some new Corporate members who have significantly contributed to raising funds for our charities and to sponsor some other events such as the Chilean Mining Minister Conference which have helped to increase the Society's profile.
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Anglo Chilean Society
Our Goals
We aim to increase the awareness of Chile among the people of the UK and to advance the knowledge and understanding of its people, history, language, literature, institutions, folklore, culture and current way of life.
We do this by means of publications, sponsorship and organising a series of events. We also give our Chilean members opportunities to see aspects of Britain which otherwise might not be open to them. We encourage and cement friendly relations between Chile and the United Kingdom, and bring together anyone in the UK with a common interest, or connection with, both countries. We support charitable initiatives in Chile, using the money raised through our programme of events.
The Alan Macdonald Endowment Fund
Alan Macdonald, a long standing member of the Anglo Chilean Society and of the Executive Committee, died of a heart attack on 25th February, 2010, at the age of 61.
His family very generously decided to use funds from his estate to set up an endowment fund (the AME) under the management of the Anglo Chilean Society. The object is to use the fund’s income to promote Anglo Chilean relations by helping Chileans who need practical encouragement to develop their artistic talent. Alan loved art and literature and the family felt that this would be an appropriate way for Alan and for his love for Chile to be remembered.
The launch of the AME was held at Canning House on the 17th of November, 2011 in the presence of the Chilean Ambassador, members of the Macdonald family, members of the Society and many of Alan’s friends.
A sub-committee made up of Alan's brother, John Macdonald, a group of Alan’s close friends as well as the Vice-chair and the Treasurer of the Society and a representative of the Chilean Embassy has been set up to advise the Society on the use of available funds.