East Asia, a diverse region with newly emerging countries and middle income status countries, has a variety of development issues. The British Council’s network of offices and expert staff in the region enables us to support change and implement sustainable solutions.
We have been operating in East Asia for over 70 years, which has enabled us to develop a solid understanding of the key issues and challenges.
We draw on strong relationships and networks with national governments and their agencies, civil society organisations, schools, colleges, universities, and private sector partners.
Improving justice for all
A free and fair legal system is critical to creating an equitable society and therefore represents a substantial part of our regional portfolio. Our role in the EU-funded Justice Partnership Programme, has led to the revision of key laws in Vietnam and the implementation of a national legal aid strategy. Similarly, our China EU Access to Justice programme, will use high-level policy dialogue between key players in the justice sector to improve legal aid provision for people in remote and inaccessible areas, especially disadvantaged groups.
Strengthening civil society
As well as established links with government, we bring together interest groups and organisations around specific social concerns. The DFID/SIDA-funded Pyoe Pin programme in Burma has dealt with issues ranging from the difficulty of getting rice to market to the impact of HIV-AIDs. To date, the programme has engaged with over 1,000 organisations and indirectly benefited over 800,000 individuals and families.
Raising standards and access in education
The BP-funded Basic and Secondary Education Project focuses on community participation, teacher development and school leadership to improve school education in the West Papua region of Indonesia. We work at the strategic level to evaluate and review national policy on education. This includes membership of the Comprehensive Education Sector Review in Burma. As part of the review team, we support the rapid appraisal of the national education system to support new policy and strategy.
Our presence
We work across East Asia, with a particular focus on China, Indonesia, Burma, Philippines and Vietnam.