The Office of Count Jonathan David Nelson has confirmed that the Centre for Education and Diplomacy in Avignon has entered its next phase of development with formal legal structuring. This progression from foundation to framework to legal establishment ensures the Centre becomes a permanent institution rather than a temporary initiative, reflecting the enduring mission of the Republic of Aquitaine to advance education, diplomacy, and humanitarian service. Working with legal counsel specializing in trusts and estate law, Count Jonathan David Nelson is guiding the Centre toward a governance model that is self-funded, sustainable, and independent of political influence. This approach ensures the Centre's work remains free from partisan pressure while maintaining compliance with international legal standards.
The legal structuring establishes the Centre as a non-governmental body with a legal identity designed for continuity, providing transparency and stability that reinforces its credibility in global academic and diplomatic circles. As part of this process, Count Jonathan David Nelson is conducting all documentation and proceedings under his legal name, reflecting the lawful authority conferred by HRH Thomas II, Grand Duke of Aquitaine. This authority has been authenticated through Letters Patent under the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961, demonstrating adherence to international law recognized by over 120 countries. The legal name and styled title are inseparable components that form the foundation upon which the Centre is being established.
The Republic of Aquitaine, reconstituted in 2006 as a government-in-exile rooted in the historic Duchy once ruled by Eleanor of Aquitaine and King Henry II, functions as a sovereign non-state entity under the leadership of HRH Thomas II. The Republic affirms sovereignty under the declaratory theory of statehood, which holds that statehood is established by objective criteria including territory, government, population, and capacity for international relations rather than external recognition. The Centre's mission rests on three core pillars: education through advancing research on global higher education and accreditation; diplomacy through fostering intercultural dialogue and building channels of non-state diplomacy; and humanitarian service through promoting peace and cultural preservation.
Early initiatives being prepared include academic colloquia, policy forums, and publications that will position the Centre as a European institution with international reach. The formal legal structuring provides multiple benefits including institutional stability across generations, transparency through compliance with international legal standards, independence from political volatility, and authority grounded in lawful sovereignty rather than symbolism. Count Jonathan emphasized that "Our legal foundation secures our continuity, while our mission keeps us outward-looking and engaged with the world. We act not for the hour, but for the century."
With legal structuring now underway, the Centre is preparing to enter its programmatic phase with initiatives including forums on international law and diplomacy, colloquia on intercultural education and exchange, and roundtables on humanitarian service and cultural preservation. These efforts will be launched in dialogue with international partners, situating the Centre as a living institution aligned with global frameworks such as the United Nations and the European Cultural Convention. Additional information about the Centre's work can be found at https://www.countjonathan.org and https://www.republicofaquitaine.com.
