Friends of the British Council USA

Education, professional development & research: we continued the libraries unlimited program, a 5 year initiative with the government of bangladesh, ministry of cultural affairs and department of public libraries to transform the public library sector to improve public access to information and knowledge by modernizing the public library network, building the capacity of government officers, training library staff, building public awareness of and access to library programs and information services.we completed the libraries unlimited program, a mulit-year initiative with the government of bangladesh, ministry of cultural affairs and department of public libraries to transform the public library sector to improve public access to information and knowledge by modernizing the public library network, building the capacity of government officers, training library staff, building public awareness of and access to library programs and information services.we continued a program using constructive play bricks to help different ages groups in bangladesh to develop their core skills. We deployed training, 4million+ in building bricks and customized curriculum target audiences to 64 public libraries, 300 extra-curricular clubs for girls and 28 early learning centers.we enabled israeli scientists of outstanding ability to pursue their postdoctoral research at the university of cambridge while fostering a scholarly exchange and greater understanding between researchers in britain and israel through our blavatnik fellows program. Fellows worked with multiple different departments of cambridge to further their research of a variety of subjects.we completed the creativity research series to explore 1) creativity, core skills and job readiness 2) education systems approaches to teaching creativity as part of core skills; 3) the relevance of teaching creativity in the digital age 4) role of creative play in teaching creativity 5) creativity economy impact on marginalized populations.we continued supporting the professional development program for social science researchers through menasp - middle east and north africa social policy network. This project creates new research pathways and support existing ones to improve the quality of social science research in the region while also connecting social science researchers to policymakers and practitioners to share best practice, strengthen problem solving approaches to social policy and to learn from one another, through international policy workshops, the consolidation of academic networks, and the enhancement of an online platform for social policy researchers and practitioners.we continued a scholarship program for american rugby coaches to the uk hosted by professional league premiership rugby for an immersive opportunity to receive 300 level certification, learn about social change through sport and best practice in community outreach through rugby while creating new networks, finding mentors and experiencing new coaching methodologies. We supported showcasing and connecting of uk artists and young curators through the British pavilion at the venice biennale in italy.we supported the digital productions of multiple uk performing arts and theatre productions on youtube to further their reach and grow their audiences.we produced research, hosted and conducted workshops, held strategic planning sessions and provided both mentoring and training for program managers and business development colleagues globally on the effective development and delivery of public-private partnerships with foundations, corporations, multi-lateral agencies, public and educational institutions, high net worth individuals as well as local community service and non-profit organizations.

Youth leadership, employability, entrepreneurship and social enterprise: we partnered with the micro:bit education foundation to create educational resources that inspire young people to get excited about technology and stem. This project supports elementary teachers in title 1 schools in the united states to teach digital skills through new curriculum, eight unique projects using of micro:bit computing devices and production of "how to" videos all meeting csta standards.we continued the i-seed atyrau youth enterprise and social entrepreneurship program in kazakhstan. the project addresses underlying psychological, social and economic barriers that limit the ability of youth people in atyrau to become entrepreneurs. We promoted social entrepreneurship as both an employment option and as a route to provide solutions to challenges facing local communities in atyrau and surrounding areas. We equipped young people with the skills and platforms to develop their ideas into business plans, set up and scale their own businesses, and to find financing. We created networks and offer opportunities for collaboration between entrepreneurs and start-ups in atyrau and their peers in other areas of kazakhstan and internationally, with a strong emphasis on mentoring relationships. We continued to equip and launch a stem lab at the atyrau youth centre in kazakhstan to give youth, teachers and community members access and training and personal and professional development opportunities at a state-of-the-art stem lab.