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Rethinking Digital Platform Design: A Systems Approach

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By Lisa Schirch
Jun 4 2025 –
A better internet that supports democracy rather than undermines it is possible.

In 2025, we stand at a crossroads in the digital era. Our platforms have become the new public squares, but rather than fostering democracy and dignity, many are optimized for manipulation, division, and profit. The Council on Technology and Social Cohesion’s “Blueprint on Prosocial Tech Design Governance” offers a systems-level response to this crisis.

Digital harms are not accidental. They stem from deliberate choices embedded in how platforms are built and monetized. Infinite scroll, addictive recommendation systems, and deceptive patterns are not technical inevitabilities—they are design policies that reward engagement over truth, attention over well-being, and outrage over dialogue. These antisocial designs have proven devastating: eroding mental health, fuelling polarisation, spreading disinformation, and concentrating power in a handful of corporate actors.

Tech companies blame users for harmful content online. But this avoids their own responsibility in how they design platforms. The Blueprint shifts the focus from downstream content moderation to upstream focus on platform design.

No technology has a neutral design. Companies make choices about what a platform will allow you to do, prevent you from doing, and what the design will persuade, incentivise, amplify, highlight, or manipulate people to do or not do online.

Prosocial Building Codes

Like building codes in architecture, the report proposes a tiered certification system for prosocial tech, outlining five levels of increasing ambition—from minimum safety standards to fully participatory, socially cohesive platforms. This is not window-dressing. It’s a structural intervention to address the root causes of harmful tech designs.

Tier 1 begins with establishing baseline protections: Safety by Design, Privacy by Design, and User Agency by Design. These aren’t abstract ideals but concrete practices that give users control over what they see, how they’re tracked, and whether manipulative features are opt-in rather than default. Tier 2 scales up with low-barrier user experience tools like empathy-oriented reaction buttons, friction to slow down impulsive posting, and prompts to reflect before sharing.

Iin Tier 3, prosocial algorithms that highlight areas of common ground and diverse ideas replace engagement-maximising recommender systems that offer news feeds skewed toward polarising topics. Tier 4 introduces civic tech and deliberative platforms explicitly built for democratic engagement, and Tier 5 pushes for middleware solutions that restore data sovereignty and interoperability.

Research Transparency and Protections

The report highlights the need for research to understand how platform design impacts society, safe harbour laws to protect independent researchers, and open data standards for measuring social trust and cohesion. The paper calls for mandated platform audits, researcher safe harbours, and public infrastructure to enable independent scrutiny of algorithmic systems and user experiences. Without these safeguards, crucial insight into systemic harms—such as manipulation, bias, and disinformation—remains inaccessible.

The paper offers a set of prosocial metrics on three areas of social cohesion. This includes individual agency and well-being, or the ability of users to make informed choices and participate meaningfully; social trust and intergroup pluralism referring to the quality of interaction across diverse social, cultural, and political groups; and public trust or the strength of relationship between users and public institutions.

Shifting Market Forces

The report concludes with a set of market reforms to shift incentives toward prosocial tech innovations. Market forces drive antisocial and deceptive tech design. Venture capital (VC) funding is the main source of financing for many major tech platforms, especially in their early and growth stages. It significantly entrenches antisocial tech design, expecting rapid scaling, high returns, and market dominance—often at the expense of ethical development.

Market concentration inhibits innovation and confines users within systems that prioritise profit over well-being. Numerous large technology companies function as monopolies, employing opaque strategies and dominating value chains. Such technology monopolies pose significant challenges for smaller, prosocial platforms seeking growth. When a limited number of tech giants control infrastructure, data, and user attention, smaller platforms with ethical, inclusive, or democratic designs encounter difficulties in achieving visibility and viability.

The report recommends shifting market forces by codifying liability for platform-induced harms, enforcing antitrust to level the playing field for ethical alternatives, and identifying a range of options for funding and monetising prosocial tech startups.

Too often piecemeal tech regulation has failed to show the flood of toxicity online. Using a system’s approach, the report offers a comprehensive plan to make prosocial tech not only possible, but competitive and sustainable. Just as we expect bridges to be safe and banks to be audited, the Blueprint insists we treat digital infrastructure with the same seriousness. Platforms should not be allowed to profit from harm while hiding behind the myth of neutrality.

At its core, the Blueprint argues that platform design is social engineering. Platforms that currently amplify outrage could, with the right design and incentives, foster empathy, cooperation, and truth.

Now the question is political will. Will regulators adopt tiered certifications that reward responsibility? Will investors fund platforms that prioritise well-being over profit? Will designers centre the needs of marginalised communities in their user experience decisions? The Blueprint gives us the tools. The next step is collective action for governments, technologists, and civil society alike.

Download the report here.

Dr. Lisa Schirch is Research Fellow with the Toda Peace Institute and is on the faculty at the University of Notre Dame in the Keough School of Global Affairs and Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. She holds the Richard G. Starmann Sr. Endowed Chair and directs the Peacetech and Polarization Lab. A former Fulbright Fellow in East and West Africa, Schirch is the author of eleven books, including The Ecology of Violent Extremism: Perspectives on Peacebuilding and Human Security and Social Media Impacts on Conflict and Democracy: The Tech-tonic Shift. Her work focuses on tech-assisted dialogue and decision-making to improve state-society relationships and social cohesion.

This article was issued by the Toda Peace Institute and is being republished from the original with their permission.

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Noor Mukadam Got Justice, But Why Does Pakistan’s Legal System Fail Its Women?

Noor Mukadam at a protest outside the Islamabad Press Club, holding a poster demanding justice for a rape survivor. The photo was taken on September 12, 2020. She was murdered by her partner on 20 July 2021. Credit: Shafaq Zaidi

By Zofeen Ebrahim
KARACHI, Pakistan, Jun 4 2025 – “It’s brought me some closure,” said Shafaq Zaidi, a school friend of Noor Mukadam, reacting to the Supreme Court’s May 20 verdict upholding both the life sentence and death penalty for Noor’s killer, Zahir Jaffer.

“Nothing can bring Noor back, but this decision offers a sense of justice—not just for her, but for every woman in Pakistan who’s been told her life doesn’t matter,” Zaidi told IPS over the phone from Islamabad. “It’s been a long and painful journey—four years of fighting through the sessions court, high court, and finally, the Supreme Court.”

Echoing a similar sentiment, rights activist Zohra Yusuf said, “It’s satisfying that the Supreme Court upheld the verdict,” but added that the crime’s brutality left little room for relief. “It was so horrific that one can’t even celebrate the judgment,” she said, referring to the “extreme” sadism Noor endured—tortured with a knuckleduster, raped, and beheaded with a sharp weapon on July 20, 2021.

Yusuf also pointed out that the “background” of those involved is what drew national attention.

Noor Mukadam, 27, was the daughter of a former ambassador, while Zahir Jaffer, 30, was a dual Pakistan-U.S. national from a wealthy and influential family. Her father and friends fought to keep the case in the public eye, refusing to let it fade into yet another forgotten statistic.

Still, the response has been muted—many, including Yusuf, oppose the death penalty.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan recorded at least 174 death sentences in 2024—a sharp rise from 102 in 2023—yet not a single execution was reportedly carried out. The last known hanging was in 2019, when Imran Ali was executed for the rape and murder of six-year-old Zainab Ansari.

However, Noor’s father, Shaukat Ali Mukadam, has repeatedly stated that the death sentence for Zahir Jaffer was “very necessary,” emphasizing, “This isn’t just about my daughter—it’s about all of Pakistan’s daughters,” referencing the countless acts of violence against women that go unpunished every day.

The HRCP’s 2024 annual report painted a grim picture of gender-based violence against women in Pakistan.

According to the National Police Bureau, at least 405 women were killed in so-called honor crimes. Domestic violence remained widespread, resulting in 1,641 murders and over 3,385 reports of physical assault within households.

Sexual violence showed no sign of slowing. Police records documented 4,175 reported rapes, 733 gang rapes, 24 cases of custodial sexual assault, and 117 incidents of incest-related abuse—a chilling reminder of the dangers women face in both public and private spaces. HRCP’s media monitoring also revealed that at least 13 transgender individuals experienced sexual violence—one was even killed by her family in the name of honor.

The digital space offered no refuge either. The Digital Rights Foundation recorded 3,121 cases of cyber-harassment, most reported by women in Punjab.

Justice Remains Elusive

But numbers alone can’t capture the brutality—or the deep-rooted disregard for women that drives it.

“We recently took a man to court and secured maintenance for twin baby girls,” said Haya Zahid, CEO of the Karachi-based Legal Aid Society (LAS). “The father divorced their young mother while she was still in the hospital—just because she gave birth to daughters.”

LAS offers free legal aid to those who can’t afford it, handling cases like rape, murder, acid attacks, forced and child marriages, and domestic violence.

Bassam Dhari, also from LAS, recalled Daya Bheel’s gruesome murder, which took place after Noor Mukadam’s but failed to stir national attention because it happened in a remote village in Sindh’s Sanghar district.

“She was skinned, her eyeballs removed, her breasts chopped off, and her head severed from her body,” said Dhari.

He said the postmortem report confirmed that she was neither raped nor sexually assaulted, and the attack did not appear to be driven by rage or revenge.

While Mukadam’s family may have found closure, justice remains elusive for thousands of Pakistani women.

“Noor Mukadam’s case is indeed a rare instance where justice was served,” said Syeda Bushra, another lawyer at the LAS.

“It’s not that there aren’t enough laws to protect women and children—far from it,” said Bushra. “There are plenty of laws, but what good are they if investigations are weak?” According to her, only a small percentage of women can seek redress. “Justice is denied or delayed every single day,” she added.

“The problem is that these laws are crafted in a social vacuum,” observed Fauzia Yazdani, a gender and governance expert with over 30 years of experience working with national governments, the UN, and bilateral development partners in Pakistan.

She acknowledged that although many progressive, women-friendly laws have been passed over the years, they’ve failed to resonate in a society resistant to change. “Laws are essential, but no amount of legislation can end violence against women if the societal mindset remains misogynistic, patriarchal, and permissive of such crimes,” she said.

Buying Justice Through Blood Money

At the same time, Dahri highlighted critical flaws in the justice system.

In Pakistan, where the death penalty remains legal under its Islamic status, such sentences can be overturned through the diyat (blood money) law, which allows perpetrators to buy forgiveness by compensating the victim’s family.

“In our country, money can buy anything,” said Dahri. “This blood money law is routinely abused by the rich and powerful to literally get away with murder.”

He stressed the urgent need to reform these laws. “Many families initially refuse compensation, but intense pressure and threats—especially against the poor—often force them to give in.”

In 2023, 10-year-old Fatima Furiro’s death might have gone unnoticed if two graphic videos—showing her writhing in pain, then collapsing—hadn’t gone viral. The resulting public outcry led to her body being exhumed. Her employer, a powerful feudal lord in Sindh’s Khairpur district, who appeared in the footage, was swiftly arrested.

He spent a year in prison before the case was closed, after Fatima’s impoverished family accepted blood money—despite forensic evidence confirming she had been raped, beaten, and tortured over time.

Shafaq Zaidi—Noor Mukadam’s school friend—stood outside the Islamabad Press Club on July 25, 2021, at the very spot where Noor had once protested. This time, Zaidi was seeking justice for Noor herself, who had been killed just days earlier, on July 20, 2021. Courtesy: Shafaq Zaidi

Law vs Prejudice

Alongside a flawed justice system, women must battle deep-rooted social taboos—amplified by relentless victim-blaming and shaming.

“In such an environment,” said Bushra, “it’s no surprise that many women, worn down by the long and exhausting process, eventually withdraw their complaints.”

“A woman’s trial begins long before she ever enters a courtroom,” said Dahri.

In Noor Mukadam’s case, the claim of a “live-in relationship”—real or fabricated—was used by the convict’s lawyer to downgrade his death sentence for rape to life imprisonment.

“A boy and girl living together is a misfortune for our society,” remarked Justice Hashim Kakar, who led the three-member bench hearing Mukadam’s case.

“Her reputation was sullied—even in death,” said Yazdani, adding that judges should refrain from moralizing and preaching.

“A judge’s verdict should rest solely on an impartial reading of the law,” said Bushra.

But as Dahri pointed out, few lawyers in Pakistan dare to say this openly. “Judges can take it personally,” he said, “and we risk facing repercussions in our very next case.”

According to Yazdani, even a few targeted reforms—like faster hearings, clearing case backlogs, setting up GBV and child protection courts, and training judges, lawyers, and police on the realities of misogyny and gender-based violence—could cut victim-blaming in half.

But she also offered a word of caution: reforms alone don’t guarantee empathy, which she called the cornerstone of real justice.

“Social change doesn’t happen overnight,” Yazdani said. “Anthropologically speaking, it takes five years for change to take root—and another ten for it to truly take hold.”

Gender balance matters in justice

Judicial gender inequality worsens the situation. Some experts argue that increasing the number of women judges and lawyers could lead to a more fair, dynamic, and empathetic justice system.

A 2024 report by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP) reveals that women make up less than 20 percent of the country’s judges, lawyers, and judicial officers—an alarming gap in a nation of over 117 million women. Of the 126 judges in the superior judiciary, only seven are women—just 5.5 percent. In the Supreme Court, that number drops to two.

Meanwhile, the 26 judges of the apex court (including the chief justice) are burdened with a backlog of more than 56,000 cases—not all related to violence against women.

Bushra believes more women must be encouraged to enter the justice sector—particularly as prosecutors, police officers, and judges. “I’ve seen how distressed victims become when forced to repeat their ordeal to male officers—often multiple times,” she said.

But she emphasized that simply increasing the number of women won’t end victim-blaming or guarantee survivor-centric justice. “Everyone in the system—including women—must be genuinely gender-sensitized to overcome personal biases and deep-rooted stereotypes,” said Bushra.

Special Courts

In 2021, the government passed the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act, leading to the formation of an anti-rape committee by the Ministry of Law and Justice to support victims, including setting up special courts nationwide. “Special investigation units with trained prosecutors now handle 77 percent of complaints, and 91 percent of cases go to special courts,” said Nida Aly of AGHS, a Lahore-based law firm offering free legal aid and part of the committee.

By 2022, Sindh had set up 382 such units. Aly noted that a survivor-centered, time-bound, and coordinated approach raised conviction rates from 3.5 percent to 5 percent. A national sex offenders registry, managed by police, was launched in 2024. In Punjab, all 36 districts now have crisis and protection centers offering legal and psychosocial support, though some face resource limitations.

Nearly five years after gender-based violence courts were established in Karachi, she sees a promising shift in how judges handle such cases. “Prosecutors now take time to prepare women complainants—something that never happened before,” she said.

However, she added, the number of such courts and sensitized judges remains a drop in the ocean compared to the overwhelming number of violence committed against women and such cases flooding the system across Sindh.

IPS UN Bureau Report

The British Council drives educational innovation through Action Research, benefiting educators worldwide

The British Council has established itself as a key facilitator of international educational improvement by supporting Action Research as a platform that has delivered tangible progress in schools worldwide.
Innovative educator–led research projects have improved teaching and learning in countries such as Pakistan, Egypt and Colombia, delivering measurable results in schools.
An AI–based maths project enhanced students’ understanding and performance. 80% reported that using digital platforms strengthened their problem–solving skills through active learning and critical thinking.

CAIRO, Egypt, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Through the Action Research programme, the British Council supports educational improvement worldwide. As the UK’s organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, it plays a key role in facilitating global progress in education.

This initiative not only provides educators with funding, mentoring, and resources to implement research findings directly in their classrooms but also fosters the exchange of best practices among schools and teaching communities. Its impact cascades through local forums and Partner School events, reaching school leaders, teachers, and ultimately students. The programme has already resulted in tangible improvements in participating schools and underscores the British Council’s commitment to evidence–based, forward–looking education.

The British Council Partner Schools’ Action Research programme supported twelve researchers from nine countries: Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Ghana, Jordan, Zimbabwe, Peru, and Colombia on projects focused on leadership, continuous professional development (CPD), and technology, addressing shared global challenges in education.

The projects revealed key insights into technology, teacher development, and leadership as drivers of educational improvement. Many focused on digital learning, AI, and online platforms, reflecting a keen global interest in technology to support education. In Colombia, 80% of students reported that digital tools improved their skills, especially in problem–solving and critical thinking. Research on CPD shows that group reflection on individually completed training leads to greater gains in teaching quality and student outcomes than isolated professional development.

Leadership emerged as a recurring theme. In Pakistan, student–led projects empowered girls through academics, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, challenging gender norms and creating community–wide change. Across all participating countries, inclusive engagement, from students to families and school leaders, was essential to co–creating sustainable, impactful solutions.

The new publication Action Research for Schools: Global Stories of School Improvement captures these findings and shares practical strategies for schools facing similar challenges around the world.

“Backed by the British Council’s support, the researcher in Egypt went above and beyond, delivering meaningful change in their schools and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement,” reflected Ammar Ahmed, Director Exams Egypt, British Council.

Building on its success, the British Council has launched the second year of the programme, awarding grants to thirteen new researchers. Visit our website to learn more.

About British Council Partner Schools

British Council Partner Schools is a global community of over 2,300 schools, supported by the British Council, delivering UK qualifications. We help improve education quality, supporting learners worldwide to achieve their potential through UK education and qualifications. We support Partner Schools in over 40 countries, transforming the lives of over 250,000 students each year.

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2022–23 we reached 600 million people.

Contact:

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Regional Senior Communications Manager, Middle East and North Africa

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يعمل المجلس الثقافي البريطاني على تعزيز الابتكار التعليمي عبر البحث العملي، الأمر الذي من شأنه أن يعود بالنفع على المُعلمين في جميع أنحاء العالم

*لقد رسخ المجلس الثقافي البريطاني مكانته كونه جهةً رئيسيةً لتسهيل تحسين التعليم الدولي عبر دعم البحث العملي كونه منصة أحرزت تقدمًا ملموسًا في المدارس في جميع أنحاء العالم.

*لقد أدت مشروعات البحث المبتكرة التي يقودها المعلمون إلى تحسين مستوى التدريس والتعلَّم في بلدان مثل باكستان ومصر وكولومبيا، مما أدى بدوره إلى تحقيق نتائج ملموسة في المدارس.

*عزز مشروع الرياضيات القائم على الذكاء الاصطناعي من مستوى فهم الطلاب وأدائهم. كما أفاد 80% منهم أن استخدام المنصات الرقمية قد عزز مهاراتهم في حل المشكلات من خلال التعلَّم النشط والتفكير النقدي.

القاهرة، مصر, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — يدعم المجلس الثقافي البريطاني، عبر برنامج البحث العملي، تحسين التعليم حول العالم. وبوصفه المنظمة البريطانية للعلاقات الثقافية والفرص التعليمية، يلعب المجلس دورًا محوريًا في تسهيل التقدم العالمي في مجال التعليم.

لا تقتصر هذه المبادرة على توفير التمويل والتوجيه والموارد للمُعلمين لتطبيق نتائج البحوث مباشرةً في فصولهم الدراسية، بل تعزز كذلك تبادل أفضل الممارسات بين المدارس والأوساط التعليمية. ويمتد أثرها عبر المنتديات المحلية وفعاليات المدارس الشريكة، وصولًا إلى قادة المدارس والمُعلمين، وانتهاءً بالطلاب. وقد حقق البرنامج بالفعل تحسينات ملموسة في المدارس المشاركة، ليؤكد بذلك التزام المجلس الثقافي البريطاني بتوفير تعليم قائم على الأدلة ومستشرف للمستقبل.

دعم برنامج البحث العملي للمدارس الشريكة للمجلس الثقافي البريطاني اثني عشر باحثًا من تسع دول: باكستان ومصر وبنجلاديش ونيجيريا وغانا والأردن وزيمبابوي وبيرو وكولومبيا في مشاريع تركز على القيادة، والتطوير المهني المستمر (CPD)، والتكنولوجيا، ومعالجة التحديات العالمية المشتركة في التعليم.

كشفت المشروعات عن رؤى رئيسية عن التكنولوجيا وتطوير المعلمين والقيادة لأنها من محفزات تحسين التعليم. حيث ركزت العديد منها على التعلم الرقمي والذكاء الاصطناعي والمنصات الإلكترونية مما يعكس اهتمامًا عالميًا كبيرًا بالتكنولوجيا لدعم التعليم. ففي كولومبيا، أفاد 80% من الطلاب بأن الأدوات الرقمية قد حسّنت من مهاراتهم، لا سيما في حل المشكلات والتفكير النقدي. كما تُظهر الأبحاث المتعلقة بالتطوير المهني المستمر أن التأمل الجماعي في التدريب المُنجز فرديًا يُحسّن جودة التدريس ونتائج الطلاب بدرجة أكبر مقارنةً بالتطوير المهني المنعزل.

كان تكرار ذكر موضوع القيادة أمرًا بارزًا. ففي باكستان، أسهمت المشروعات الطلابية في تمكين الفتيات من خلال الدراسة الأكاديمية والأنشطة اللامنهجية وأدوار القيادة وتحدي الأعراف الجندرية وإحداث تغيير مجتمعي. وفي جميع الدول المشاركة، كانت المشاركة الشاملة من الطلاب إلى العائلات وقادة المدارس أساسيةً لإيجاد حلول مستدامة وفعّالة.

ويتناول المنشور الجديد البحث العملي للمدارس: قصص عالمية لتحسين المدارس هذه النتائج ويشارك استراتيجيات عملية للمدارس التي تواجه تحديات مماثلة في جميع أنحاء العالم.

كما أفاد عمار احمد، مدير امتحانات مصر، بالمجلس الثقافي البريطاني قائلاً: “بفضل دعم المجلس الثقافي البريطاني، تجاوز الباحثون في مصر كل التوقعات، حيث حققوا تغييرًا ذا معنى في مدارسهم وساهموا في ثقافة التحسين المستمر”.

بناءً على نجاحه، أطلق المجلس الثقافي البريطاني البرنامج للعام الثاني، مقدمًا منحًا لثلاثة عشر باحثًا جديدًا. تفضلوا بزيارة موقعنا الإلكتروني لمعرفة المزيد.

نبذة عن المدارس الشريكة للمجلس الثقافي البريطاني

المدارس الشريكة للمجلس الثقافي البريطاني هي مجتمع عالمي يضم أكثر من 2300 مدرسة، يدعمها المجلس الثقافي البريطاني، وتقدم مؤهلات بريطانية. حيث نسهم في تحسين جودة التعليم وندعم المُتعلمين حول العالم لتحقيق إمكاناتهم من خلال التعليم والمؤهلات البريطانية. كما ندعم مدارسنا الشريكة في أكثر من 40 دولة، ونسهم في تغيير حياة أكثر من 250,000 طالب سنويًا.

نبذة عن المجلس الثقافي البريطاني

المجلس الثقافي البريطاني هو المنظمة البريطانية للعلاقات الثقافية والفرص التعليمية. ندعم السلام والازدهار من خلال بناء الروابط والتفاهم والثقة بين الناس في المملكة المتحدة ودول العالم. ونحقق ذلك من خلال عملنا في مجالات الفنون والثقافة والتعليم واللغة الإنجليزية. كما نعمل مع الناس في أكثر من 200 دولة ومنطقة، ونتواجد ميدانيًا في أكثر من 100 دولة. وفي الفترة 2022–2023، وصلنا إلى 600 مليون شخص.

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The British Council Drives Educational Innovation Through Action Research, Benefiting Educators Worldwide

The British Council has established itself as a key facilitator of international educational improvement by supporting Action Research as a platform that has delivered tangible progress in schools worldwide.
Innovative educator–led research projects have improved teaching and learning in countries such as Pakistan, Egypt and Colombia, delivering measurable results in schools.
An AI–based maths project enhanced students’ understanding and performance. 80% reported that using digital platforms strengthened their problem–solving skills through active learning and critical thinking.

HARARE, Zimbabwe, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Through the Action Research programme, the British Council supports educational improvement worldwide. As the UK’s organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, it plays a key role in facilitating global progress in education.

Leadership was also key: in Pakistan, one of the four projects, empowered female students through academic achievement, extracurricular engagement, leadership roles that challenge gender norms and drive community change. Across all projects, inclusive participation, from students to families and school leaders, proved essential to identifying needs and co–creating effective, lasting solutions.

The new publication Action Research for Schools: Global Stories of School Improvement presents these findings and practical solutions to help schools worldwide address similar challenges.

“Backed by the British Council’s support, the researcher in Zimbabwe went above and beyond, showing how a minimal STEM investment, guided by strategic insight, can significantly improve learner outcomes,” said Medha Boolauky, Exams Director, Southern Cluster, British Council.

Building on its success, the British Council has launched the second year of the programme, awarding grants to thirteen new researchers. Visit our website to learn more.

About British Council Partner Schools

British Council Partner Schools is a global community of over 2,300 schools, supported by the British Council, delivering UK qualifications such as International GCSEs, O Levels, and A Levels. We help improve education quality, supporting learners worldwide to achieve their potential through UK education and qualifications. We support Partner Schools in over 40 countries, transforming the lives of over 250,000 students each year.

About the British Council

Contact

[email protected]

Regional Head of Communications SSA

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

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يعمل المجلس الثقافي البريطاني على تعزيز الابتكار التعليمي عبر البحث العملي، الأمر الذي من شانه أن يعود بالنفع على المُعلمين في جميع أنحاء العالم

لقد رسخ المجلس الثقافي البريطاني مكانته كونه جهة رئيسية لتيسير عملية تحسين التعليم الدولي عبر دعم البحث العملي كمنصة أحرزت تقدمًا ملموسًا في المدارس في جميع أنحاء العالم.
لقد أدت مشروعات البحث المبتكرة التي يقودها المعلمون إلى تحسين مستوى التدريس والتعلَّم في بلدان مثل باكستان ومصر وكولومبيا، الأمر الذي أدى بدوره إلى تحقيق نتائج ملموسة في المدارس.
عزز مشروع الرياضيات القائم على الذكاء الاصطناعي من مستوى فهم الطلاب وأدائهم. كما أفاد 80% منهم أن استخدام المنصات الرقمية قد عزز مهاراتهم في حل المشكلات من خلال التعلَّم النشط والتفكير النقدي.

عمان، الأردن،, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — يدعم المجلس الثقافي البريطاني عبر برنامج البحث العملي تحسين التعليم حول العالم. وبوصفه المنظمة البريطانية للعلاقات الثقافية والفرص التعليمية، يلعب المجلس دورًا محوريًا في تسهيل التقدم العالمي في مجال التعليم.

لا تقتصر هذه المبادرة على تقديم التمويل والتوجيه والموارد للمُعلمين لتطبيق نتائج الأبحاث مباشرةً في فصولهم الدراسية، بل تعزز كذلك تبادل أفضل الممارسات بين المدارس والأوساط التعليمية. ويمتد أثرها عبر المنتديات المحلية وفعاليات المدارس الشريكة، وصولًا إلى قادة المدارس والمُعلمين، وانتهاءً بالطلاب، وقد أحرزت بالفعل تحسينات ملموسة في المدارس المشاركة.

دعم برنامج البحث العملي للمدارس الشريكة للمجلس الثقافي البريطاني اثني عشر باحثًا من تسع دول: باكستان ومصر وبنجلاديش ونيجيريا وغانا والأردن وزيمبابوي وبيرو وكولومبيا في مشروعات تركز على القيادة والتطوير المهني المستمر (CPD) والتكنولوجيا ومواجهة التحديات العالمية المشتركة في التعليم.

كشفت المشروعات عن رؤى رئيسية عن التكنولوجيا وتطوير المعلمين والقيادة لأنها من محفزات تحسين العملية التعليمية. حيث ركزت العديد منها على التعلم الرقمي والذكاء الاصطناعي والمنصات الإلكترونية ما يعكس اهتمامًا عالميًا كبيرًا بالتكنولوجيا لدعم التعليم. ففي كولومبيا، أفاد 80% من الطلاب بأن الأدوات الرقمية قد حسّنت من مهاراتهم، لا سيما في حل المشكلات والتفكير النقدي.

وكانت القيادة كذلك عاملًا أساسيًا: ففي باكستان، عزز أحد المشروعات الأربعة قدرات الطالبات عبر التحصيل الأكاديمي والمشاركة في الأنشطة اللامنهجية وتولي أدوار قيادية تتحدى الأعراف الجندرية وتدفع عجلة التغيير المجتمعي. وفي جميع المشروعات، أثبتت المشاركة الشاملة من الطلاب والأسر وقادة المدارس أهميتها في تحديد الاحتياجات والمشاركة في إيجاد حلول فعّالة ودائمة.

ويتناول المنشور الجديد البحث العملي للمدارس: قصص عالمية لتحسين المدارس هذه النتائج ويشارك حلول عملية لمساعدة المدارس التي تواجه تحديات مماثلة في جميع أنحاء العالم.

وأفادت Shireen من مدرسة الرضوان قائلةً: “كان الحصول على منحة البحث العملي بمنزلة نقلة مهمة للغاية. لقد مكنني ذلك من استكشاف تحدي حقيقي داخل الفصول الدراسية والتواصل مع المُعلمين المتحمسين على مستوى العالم. وقد أدى ذلك إلى نشوء ثقافة البحث العملي في مدرستنا، ما ألهم التطور الجماعي لنا كممارسين تأمليين“.

وصرحت Ameera Mannaa، مديرة امتحانات المجلس الثقافي البريطاني لمنطقة جنوب الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا قائلة: “نحن فخورون برؤية المدارس الشريكة تقود التغيير التعليمي الحقيقي. إن التأثير واضح: فالطلاب يفكرون بشكل نقدي، والمعلمون يتطورون بشكل تعاوني، والمدارس تصبح مراكز للتحسين المستمر“.

وبناءً على نجاحه، أطلق المجلس الثقافي البريطاني البرنامج للعام الثاني. تفضلوا بزيارة موقعنا الإلكتروني لمعرفة المزيد.

نبذة عن المدارس الشريكة للمجلس الثقافي البريطاني

المدارس الشريكة للمجلس الثقافي البريطاني هي مجتمع عالمي يضم أكثر من 2300 مدرسة، يدعمها المجلس الثقافي البريطاني، وتقدم مؤهلات بريطانية. حيث نسهم في تحسين جودة التعليم، وندعم المتعلمين حول العالم لتحقيق إمكاناتهم من خلال التعليم والحصول على المؤهلات البريطانية. كما ندعم مدارسنا الشريكة في أكثر من 40 دولة ونسهم في تغيير حياة أكثر من 250,000 طالب سنويًا.

نبذة عن المجلس الثقافي البريطاني

المجلس الثقافي البريطاني هو المنظمة البريطانية للعلاقات الثقافية والفرص التعليمية. ندعم السلام والازدهار من خلال بناء الروابط والتفاهم والثقة بين الناس في المملكة المتحدة ودول العالم. ونحقق ذلك من خلال عملنا في مجالات الفنون والثقافة والتعليم واللغة الإنجليزية. كما نتعاون مع أشخاص في أكثر من 200 دولة ومنطقة، ونتواجد ميدانيًا في أكثر من 100 دولة. وفي الفترة 2023–2024، وصلنا إلى 600 مليون شخص.

جهات الاتصال:

[email protected]‏

مدير الاتصالات الإقليمي الأول لمنطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا

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The British Council Drives Educational Innovation Through Action Research, Benefiting Educators Worldwide

The British Council has established itself as a key facilitator of international educational improvement by supporting Action Research as a platform that has delivered tangible progress in schools worldwide.
Innovative educator–led research projects have improved teaching and learning in countries such as Pakistan, Egypt and Colombia, delivering measurable results in schools.
An AI–based maths project enhanced students’ understanding and performance. 80% reported that using digital platforms strengthened their problem–solving skills through active learning and critical thinking.

ACCRA, Ghana, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Through the Action Research programme, the British Council supports educational improvement worldwide. As the UK’s organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, it plays a key role in facilitating global progress in education.

This initiative not only provides educators with funding, mentoring, and resources to implement research findings directly in their classrooms but also fosters the exchange of best practices among schools and teaching communities. Its impact cascades through local forums and Partner School events, reaching school leaders, teachers and ultimately students and has already resulted in tangible improvements in participating schools.

The British Council Partner Schools’ Action Research programme supported twelve researchers from nine countries: Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Ghana, Jordan, Zimbabwe, Peru and Colombia on projects focused on leadership, continuous professional development (CPD) and technology, addressing shared global challenges in education.

The projects revealed key insights into technology, teacher development, and leadership as drivers of educational improvement. Many focused on digital learning, AI and online platforms, reflecting a keen global interest in technology to support education. In Colombia, 80% of students reported that digital tools improved their skills, especially in problem–solving and critical thinking. Research on CPD shows that group reflection on individually completed training leads to greater gains in teaching quality and student outcomes than isolated professional development.

Leadership was also key: in Pakistan, one of the four projects empowered female students through academic achievement, extracurricular engagement, and leadership roles that challenge gender norms and drive community change. Across all projects, inclusive participation, from students, families and school leaders, proved essential to identifying needs and co–creating effective, lasting solutions.

The new publication Action Research for Schools: Global Stories of School Improvement presents these findings and practical solutions to help schools worldwide address similar challenges.

“British Council Partner Schools drive innovation by empowering educators through accessible, research–led initiatives,” affirmed Nii Doodo Dodoo, Country Director, British Council Ghana.

“Winning the British Council’s Action Research grant transformed my teaching and professional growth. Through the Online Support for Schools platform, I saw how online development empowers teachers and improves classrooms. Now mentoring others, I am inspired to continue championing action research for meaningful educational change,” reflected Lydia, the grant recipient from Ghana.

Building on its success, the British Council has launched the second year of the programme. Visit our website to learn more.

About British Council Partner Schools

British Council Partner Schools is a global community of over 2,300 schools, supported by the British Council, delivering UK qualifications. A trusted partner, we help improve education quality, supporting learners worldwide to achieve their potential through UK education and qualifications.

About the British Council

Contact

[email protected]

Regional Head of Communications Sub–Saharan Africa

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1001099650)

The British Council Drives Educational Innovation Through Action Research, Benefiting Educators Worldwide

The British Council has established itself as a key facilitator of international educational improvement by supporting Action Research as a platform that has delivered tangible progress in schools worldwide.
Innovative educator–led research projects have improved teaching and learning in countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, and Colombia, delivering measurable results in schools.
An AI–based maths project enhanced students’ understanding and performance. 80% reported that using digital platforms strengthened their problem–solving skills through active learning and critical thinking.

AMMAN, Jordan, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Through the Action Research programme, the British Council supports educational improvement worldwide. As the UK’s organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, it plays a key role in facilitating global progress in education.

This initiative not only provides educators with funding, mentoring, and resources to implement research findings directly in their classrooms, but also fosters the exchange of best practices among schools and teaching communities. Its impact cascades through local forums and Partner School events, reaching school leaders, teachers, ultimately students and has already resulted in tangible improvements in participating schools.

Leadership was also key: in Pakistan, one of the four projects empowered female students through academic achievement, extracurricular engagement, and leadership roles that challenge gender norms and drive community change. Across all projects, inclusive participation from students to families and school leaders proved essential to identifying needs and co–creating effective, lasting solutions.

The new publication Action Research for Schools: Global Stories of School Improvement presents these findings and practical solutions to help schools worldwide address similar challenges.

“Receiving the Action Research grant was a transformative milestone,” said Shireen from Al Ridwan School. “It enabled me to explore a real classroom challenge and connect with passionate educators globally. This sparked a culture of action research across our school, inspiring collective growth as reflective practitioners.”

Ameera Mannaa, Exams Director MENA South, British Council remarked: “We are proud to see Partner Schools driving real educational change. The impact is clear: students think critically, teachers grow collaboratively, and schools become hubs of continuous improvement.”

Building on its success, the British Council has launched the second year of the programme. Visit our website to learn more.

About British Council Partner Schools

About the British Council

Contact:

[email protected]

Regional Communications Manager Middle East and North Africa

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7460284c–f736–4925–be01–001477dadec1

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1001100510)

The British Council Drives Educational Innovation Through Action Research, Benefiting Educators Worldwide

The British Council has established itself as a key facilitator of international educational improvement by supporting Action Research as a platform that has delivered tangible progress in schools worldwide.
Innovative educator–led research projects have improved teaching and learning in countries such as Pakistan, Egypt and Colombia, delivering measurable results in schools.
An AI–based maths project enhanced students’ understanding and performance. 80% reported that using digital platforms strengthened their problem–solving skills through active learning and critical thinking.

LAGOS, Nigeria, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Through the Action Research programme, the British Council supports educational improvement worldwide. As the UK’s organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, it plays a key role in facilitating global progress in education.

This initiative not only provides educators with funding, mentoring, and resources to implement research findings directly in their classrooms but also fosters the exchange of best practices among schools and teaching communities. Its impact cascades through local forums and Partner School events, reaching school leaders, teachers, and ultimately students and has already resulted in tangible improvements in participating schools.

Leadership was also key: in Pakistan, one of the four projects, empowered female students through academic achievement, extracurricular engagement, and leadership roles that challenge gender norms and drive community change. Across all projects, inclusive participation from students to families and school leaders proved essential to identifying needs and co–creating effective, lasting solutions.

“This recognition is a proud moment for all British Council Partner Schools,” said Deep Adhikari, Regional Exams Director, Sub–Saharan Africa. ‘It shows that when teachers lead classroom research, they create powerful, context–specific solutions that improve learning.’

“Winning the British Council Action Research Grant transformed my teaching by deepening my understanding of classroom challenges and enabling evidence–based solutions,” reflected Enobong Imaha, Action Research Grant recipient.

The new publication Action Research for Schools: Global Stories of School Improvement presents these findings and practical solutions to help schools worldwide address similar challenges.

Building on its success, the British Council has launched the second year of the programme. Visit our website to learn more.

About British Council Partner Schools

About the British Council

Contact

[email protected]

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/66ffa9c2–a51b–4001–aa5f–0d0131bf26d9

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GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 1001099653)

Egypt and Saudi Arabia are the easiest countries for doing business in the Middle East, says GBCI 2025

LONDON, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Middle East is positioned as a mid–complexity region for doing business in the Global Business Complexity Index (GBCI) recently launched by TMF Group.

The report ranks 79 jurisdictions, accounting for 94% of the world's GDP, based on their business complexity, with 1 being the most complex and 79 the least complex. Within the Middle East, Egypt is ranked 37th globally, followed closely by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at 38th, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at 39th and Qatar at 44th.

Egypt has decreased in complexity from last year’s position of 28th, mainly due to several strategic efforts and developments. For example, the country’s adoption of diverse logistic solutions and strengthening of trade corridors has played a pivotal role in mitigating economic pressures and geopolitical risks. The establishment of integrated logistics corridors and free zones, coupled with incentives like simplified customs procedures, has also enhanced accessibility for foreign businesses.

Saudi Arabia has also improved its position, ranking 38th this year (one point less complex than last year), with resilience amid geopolitical disruptions and Vision 2030 initiatives being highlighted as key drivers of the ease of complexity. The country’s strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil dependency continues at the forefront, as the Kingdom invests in trade infrastructure and regulatory frameworks, enhancing supply chain resilience. In addition, under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is striving to reduce its vulnerability to geopolitical threats. Parallelly, investments in infrastructure aim to establish the Kingdom as a global logistics hub.

The UAE, ranking 39th this year, continues to position itself as a resilient hub amid global geopolitical disruptions. Strict regulations in place aim to ensure operations are compliant and secure, and contribute to the UAE being seen as a ‘safe haven’ for a diverse range of sectors. These regulations help mitigate risks and provide stability for businesses, fostering confidence among investors and enterprises. With multiple entry points and robust infrastructure, the UAE offers reliable trade corridors.

With a slight increase in its complexity, Qatar is ranked 44th (last year, it ranked 48th). The geopolitical landscape remains volatile, with Qatar being involved in multiple peace talks, which underscores regional unpredictability and contributes to the heightened sense of uncertainty in the business environment. Additionally, the labour market faces challenges such as increased staff turnover and wage inflation, impacting cost efficiency.

Achin Malik, TMF Group’s Middle East, India and Africa Market Head, commented:

“Complexity is no longer the biggest challenge for business worldwide: uncertainty is. At a time of great instability in global trade and rising geopolitical tensions, the Middle East is increasingly strengthening its trade corridors — and exploring new ones. This positions countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar as resilient hubs for businesses amid geopolitical and natural disruptions, in a context of increased unpredictability.”

Global top and bottom ten (1= most complex, 79= least complex)
1. Greece	79. Cayman Islands
2. France	78. Denmark
3. Mexico	77. New Zealand
4. Turkey	76. Hong Kong, SAR
5. Colombia	75. Jersey
6. Brazil	74. Netherlands
7. Italy	73. Jamaica
8. Bolivia	72. British Virgin Islands
9. Kazakhstan	71. Curaçao
10. China	70. Czech Republic

Media Contacts

TMF Group

Marina Llibre Martín, Global PR Manager
marina.llibremartin@tmf–group.com

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