The Anglo-Argentine society was founded in London, in 1948, having as its main objective the cultural interchange between Great Britain and Argentina and, at the same time, becoming instrumental in building strong social and creative ties between both communities.

In order to achieve its aims, the Society organises numerous events that caters for the full spectrum of ages.  These events include, amongst others, musical events – art exhibitions – lectures of interest and social events.

The other core function of the Society is to raise money for selective Argentine Charities, and to this end it is steeply committed.  Fundraising is usually carried out at most of our events, in particular at our Biannual Ball and the very popular Annual Gran Asado Criollo Argentino, both of which attract a large attendance.

Committee

The Officers of the Society comprise of:

Presidente de Honor:  H.E. The Argentine Ambassador

Vice President (Former Chairman):   Viscount Montgomery of Alamein C.B.E

The Officers of the Committee from November 2011 are:

• John M. Wilson (Chairman)
• Annabelle Wood (Vice Chairman)
• Peter Rumboll (Vice Chairman)
• Peter Black (Hon. Treasurer)

Secretary:-      Marilita Marco

They are supported by 7 other members of the committee namely: Eddie de Oliveira – Julieta Herrero – Natalia Jacquet – Henry May – Paula Sanseau – Katherine Botes

Co-opted Members to the Committee:-  Silvina Murphy (Argentine Embassy) –  Sarah Cousins

Charitable  Giving

The Anglo-Argentine Society’s charitable aims have been to identify those projects, which encourage self-help and education in their particular communities, with emphasis on the relief and support of underprivileged children and young people.  The Society tries to find small charities for whom our relatively modest donations will make a real difference. Our aim in the future is to be able to increase our charitable donations in order to make a bigger impact for those recipients who are located in areas of greatest need throughout  Argentina.   Therefore any additional donation received would be greatly appreciated and help us further in achieving our desired goal to meet this end.

We are currently supporting:-

(2010/ 2011) Fundacion Grupo San Felipe

San Felipe Group Foundation was created to unite people who value education and recognise it as an engine of change.    Currently there are over 60 volunteers, mostly young professionals or students, who want to give part of their lives to benefit others in need by collaborating with their time and knowledge so that more young people have the opportunity to access a better education.     Their goals have also been to help and encourage impoverished communities to transform their well being and social standing based on equality of opportunity.

The Charity’s history began in 2004 by a group of young professionals who created the nucleus of people willing to actively work on educational projects. The first project was a college scholarship programme for children from Añatuya (Santiago del Estero).    A few years later the charity expanded to encompass the neighbourhood of Retiro No. 31 (Buenos Aires).   In 2008, Grupo San Felipe formally became a Foundation, and by that time had already in hand programmes in Añatuya as well as the counselling, training and orientation of teachers.    The Foundation has always worked in areas of low socio-economic resources of Argentina.   Since its inception, the Foundation has grown steadily in the number of volunteers, and has developed innovative projects in education.    In addition to its main core activities, the Foundation is also currently in the process of building an IT centre for the children in need, and it also has a professional psychologist who is able to give help and assistance to children by providing a better understanding of themselves during their difficult transitional years before embarking into the real world of job opportunities open to them as a result of their achievements.

The Foundation has been recognised several times for its outstanding work and achievements.  It has further signed cooperation agreements with the Southern University and the Universidad Católica Argentina, and has additionally collaborated with the exchange programme of the Centre for Latin American Studies at Harvard University.

The Society has very strong and continuous links with the activities of The Foundation, principally through Santiago Garcia Costa, an Argentine lawyer, who holds an LLM from King’s College London and who also actively participated in the Society’s functions and events during his stay in London, which also included becoming a lynch-pin asador at the Society’s annual Asado.

In the past few years we have also supported the following:

(2007 / 10) – Hogar El Alba
The Anglo-Argentine Society decided to give the ALAF revenues to Hogar El Alba for a 4-year period. The charitable monies raise by the Society were used to feed, lodge and educate the orphans living at the Hogar El Alba.  Hogar El Alba is situated in Longchamps, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.     It is a Christian-based children’s home on an enclosed estate, where volunteers can help with a variety of practical undertakings and childcare projects.

(2010) – Gotitas de Esfuerzo
This is a charity project in the Province of Rio Negro run by a nurse and private volunteers that supplies a much needed home for children who are in desperate need of shelter and learning facilities.  These children come from families who live in extreme poverty.   Gotitas holds activities that include educational classes such as writing, art, crafts, etc.    The money given was used for building improvements and construction work for a house that provides food and shelter for the children in grave need.   It was also used towards other urgent requirements at the shelter e.g. food, clothing, learning materials, etc.

(2004 / 6) – En Accion

En Action is a social organisation that is dedicated to promoting comprehensive adult, youth and children edification through Community Development Programs.

Since 2001 it operates in Los Polvorines, a Province of Buenos Aires.   The programme serves a population of more than 1300 families, including 500 adults and older mature adults, 250 youths and 550 children.

It works in partnership with areas of Formative Education – Sports – Recreation and in the field of Cultural /Artistic activities.   Each project carried out  addresses fundamental aspects of the individual.  It also tackles group integration, the development of critical and creative thinking, community engagement and family ties, and at all times seeking to promote personal and community comprehensive development.

(2003) – Hacia Jesus por Maria
This is a non-profit organisation formed by a group of young professionals who came together in solidarity with the aim of helping needy children, and to help in the overall improvement of their quality of life.

Membership

We currently have approximately 850 members.

The demographic mix of the membership is changing and is now giving a more balanced figure between Argentines and British citizens.  This is also being reflected in the make-up of the Committee.

The age structure of the Society is also changing, with more young people taking up membership.  This change which is currently taking place is both very welcome and healthy for the longer term aims and aspirations of the Society. This trend also continues in the healthy younger age mix of the Committee members.