British Council joins key UNESCO-led global education initiatives

The British Council has been formally recognized by UNESCO as a new member of two major global education initiatives: the Global Education Coalition and the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030.

The recognition strengthens the British Council’s role in shaping international education policy and partnerships, particularly in advancing inclusive, equitable, and innovative teaching and learning worldwide.

Launched by UNESCO in 2020, the Global Education Coalition was created to address disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Its focus has since shifted toward supporting Sustainable Development Goal 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

The coalition brings together more than 200 partners from governments, multilateral institutions, civil society, and the private sector. As a member, the British Council will contribute its expertise in teacher development, English language education, and inclusive learning to help countries build resilient and future-ready education systems.

The British Council has also joined the International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030, a global alliance focused on addressing teacher shortages and improving teaching quality and support worldwide. The task force includes governments, international organizations, civil society groups, development agencies, private sector partners, and UN bodies.

With more than 90 years of experience in teacher education and professional development, the British Council is expected to support the task force’s work, particularly in fragile, multilingual, and under-resourced settings.

“Coordinated action for education has never been more urgent. Our participation in these global education initiatives will amplify the voices of teachers and learners worldwide, particularly in communities where opportunities are limited. We look forward to working with our global partners to share best practices, co-create solutions and champion inclusive, high-quality education as a foundation for peace, prosperity, and social cohesion,” said Scott McDonald, chief executive of the British Council.

The organization currently delivers education programs aimed at improving teaching quality, learning outcomes, and equity, including large-scale teacher development initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, digital learning platforms, and support for educators in conflict-affected regions.

In 2025–26, the British Council partnered with more than 50 ministries of education and supported a global online community of practice with 3.9 million teachers and teacher educators. Its participation in both UNESCO-led initiatives is expected to expand opportunities for collaboration, peer learning, and scalable education innovations.