KEY WORDSFOR PARTICIPATING

IN THE UNESCOASSOCIATED

SCHOOLS PROJECTNETWORK

Welcome ................................. 4

What does ASPnet haveto offer? .................................. 8

B.1 Added value for schools

B.2 Added value for teachersand students

B.3 Themes of study andpilot projects

B.4 Examples of ASPnet Flagship Projects andInternational Campaigns

B.5 Networking

TABLE OFCONTENTS

C. B.

How does ASPnet function? .....14

C.1 At the school level

C.2 At the national level

C.3 At the regional level

C.4 At the international level

A. What is ASPnet? ...................... 6

A.1 Background

A.2 Goals

A.3 Types of institutions

ASPnet: Striving for Quality Education for the Twenty-first Century

WELCOME!

!

schools have the opportunity tomake significant contributionsto improve the quality of educa-tion by reinforcing these pillars.

Learning to know: There is often agap between what is happeningin the classroom and what isgoing on in the world. Today'syoung people will quickly becometomorrow's decision-makers.Many ASPnet activities enableyoung people to become moreaware of vital world issues andtheir solutions ranging from con-flicts, xenophobia, poverty, drugabuse, environmental deteriora-tion or human rights abuses.

In a world that has becomecomplex and interdependent,ASPnet activities strive to

As we enter the third millenium,it is time to reflect on where westand in education today andhow it can be improved in orderto ensure a better future for all.

It is obvious that education hasa paramount role to play to helpchildren and young people pro-mote the ideals of UNESCO andto confront the many new chal-lenges caused by rapid change,the electronic era, globalisationand the widening gap of inequal-ity. Urgent action is required toensure quality education!

Consequently, the UNESCOInternational Commission onEducation for the Twenty-firstCentury advocated strengtheningthe four main pillars of learning:

• learning to know;

• learning to do;

• learning to be; and

• learning to live together

By taking part in the AssociatedSchools Project Network (ASPnet)and conducting pilot projects,

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the Network so that it canachieve its objective of ensuringquality education for all. An im-portant asset of ASPnet is itscapacity to involve school prin-cipals, teachers and students inall parts of the world, includingthose with access to sophistica-ted resources as well as thosewith little or no infrastructure,in learning to live together inpeace and harmony.

Many highly successful innova-tions have been achieved due tothe dedication, competence andvision of school teachers, princi-pals and ASPnet National Coor-dinators. During the 1990's theNetwork doubled in size indicat-ing the interest and support ithas achieved in UNESCOMember States. As we know,quality education depends bothon the quality of teachers andon the results. ASPnet hasmuch to offer in both respects.

provide holistic learning andmeaningful knowledge.

Learning to do: The future willcontinue to call for even moremobility, flexibility and new skillsto respond to employment needsand social change. Rather thanbeing the mere recipients ofknowledge, students will increas-ingly become the main actors inthe learning process. ASPnetactivities are student-orientedwith emphasis on involvingstudents in seeking, collectingand analyzing information anddrawing conclusions. Problem-solving techniques, non-violentresolution of conflicts, creativityand communication skills are anintegral part of ASPnet activities.

Learning to be: As mentioned,knowledge alone does not suffice.It has to be put to good use toachieve freedom, equity, solidar-ity, tolerance, non-violence,respect for nature and sharedresponsiblity. ASPnet reinforcesthe humanistic and ethical di-mensions of education and helpsforge students’ critical thinking,attitudes and commitment topeace and prepare them forresponsible global citizenship.

Learning to live together: In spiteof acquiring so much knowledgeand know-how, we have still notlearned the essential: how to livetogether! One of the greatestchallenges before us is that oflearning to live together inpeace and dignity. Over theyears, Associated Schools havecontributed to reinforcing thisessential goal through confirminga sense of identity, self-worthand self-confidence combinedwith respect for other cultures.

This information booklet onASPnet has been prepared toprovide practical guidelines toenhance active participation in

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WHAT ISASPnet?

A.

A.1BACKGROUND

The United Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organiza-tion (UNESCO) is an intergovern-mental organization and one ofthe Specialized Agencies of theUnited Nations system. TheConstitution of UNESCO wassigned on 16 November 1945and ratified by 20 MemberStates on 4 November 1946.

This purpose of the Organization,according to its Constitution, isto contribute to peace and se-curity by promoting collaborationamong the nations through edu-cation, science and culture inorder to further universal respectfor justice, for the rule of lawand for human rights and funda-mental freedoms which areaffirmed for the peoples of theworld, without distinction of race,sex, language or religion.

One of the basic aims of theOrganization has always been thepromotion of peace and interna-tional co-operation througheducation. After its foundation in1946, educators working withUNESCO produced an impressivenumber of new ideas and sug-

gestions concerning educationfor international understanding.

In order to translate these ideasinto concrete action UNESCOlaunched the Associated SchoolsProject Network (ASPnet) in1953. As of 2000, it includesover 7,000 educational institu-tions in 171 countries. Associa-ted Schools are committed topromoting UNESCO’s ideals byconducting pilot projects to bet-ter prepare children and youngpeople to meet the challenges ofan increasingly complex andinterdependent world. ASPnetteachers and students haveopportunities to work together todevelop innovative educationalapproaches, methods and mater-ials from local to global levels.

A.2GOALS

As ASPnet conducts its activitiesat different levels, its objectivescan be summarized as follows:

• At the national level: NationalCommissions for UNESCO andMinistries of Education areinvited to establish a network ofschools interested in carrying

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authorities to take part inUNESCO's Associated SchoolsProject and hence become "pilotschools". ASPnet represents anextraordinary variety of schools.Although the majority of theinstitutions are state schools,there are also private and exper-imental schools.

The institutions participating inASPnet represent pre-school, pri-mary, secondary, technical andvocational, and teacher-traininglevels. These schools are locatedin all the regions of the world -Africa, Asia and the Pacific, theArab States, Europe and NorthAmerica, Latin America and theCaribbean and in countries withdifferent cultural, economic andsocial systems and at various sta-ges of development. They are alsolocated in rural and urban areas.

The most important aspect,however, is not the number ofinstitutions involved in theProject, but the quality of theirwork, because of their pilotprojects which aim to inspireother institutions to carry outsimilar projects.

out activities and pilot projectsto improve quality education,particularly its ethical, culturaland international dimensions,by developing effective teachingapproaches, methods and mater-ials. This network is designedto have a multiplier effectthrough the diffusion of resultsobtained so that other schoolsin the country can learn aboutthe work undertaken and carryout similar activities. There arenumerous cases where ASPnetcontributes to educationalreform and renewal.

• At the regional level: With regardto education, although there aredifferences within regions, thereare nonetheless a large number ofcommon denominators: culture,language, religion, etc. As aresult, each region of the worldis urged to set up an Action Planincluding "Flagship Projects",initiatives and events (regionalseminars and workshops forNational Co-ordinators, teachers,etc.). Exchanges between teachersand students belonging to thesame region are also encouraged.

• At the international level:Efforts are made to facilitate anexchange of information onASPnet, the implementation ofinternational pilot projects, spe-cial events, campaigns, and con-tests and to encourage contactsand develop solidarity amongthe participating institutions.

A.3TYPES OF INSTITUTIONS

Associated Schools are not"privileged" schools. They shouldbe an integral part of their edu-cation system. They are not"UNESCO schools", they are runin accordance with their ownsystem of education. They areinstitutions selected by their

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B.

B.1 ADDED VALUE FORSCHOOLS

The main reward for schools isthe satisfaction of taking part ina global network to improveeducation by:

• strengthening the fourpillars of learning for the 21st century;

• serving as "laboratories for innovation" particularly for developing content, methods and materials;

• improving co-operation between the school and the community and among schools at national andinternational levels;

• receiving recognition from UNESCO and having direct linkswith the Organization and the United Nations System.

B.2

The main reward for teachersand students is the satisfactionof taking part in a global net-work to improve education by:

• participating in pilot projects that promote UNESCO’s idealsand renew the learning process;

• supporting sustainable profes-sional development for teachersand the acquisition of new skillsfor students (in fields of creativity, problem solving, communication, information technology, etc);

• taking part in joint projects ontopics of vital importance andexchanges with other teachersand students within thecountry and abroad.

B.3 THEMES OF STUDY ANDPILOT PROJECTS

ASPnet schools are encouragedto conduct pilot projects on thefour main themes of study whichcover a wide range of interrelat-ed sub-themes.

WHAT DOES ASPnetHAVE TO OFFER?

ADDED VALUE FOR TEACH-ERS AND STUDENTS

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sal Declaration of Human Rights,the Convention on the Rights ofthe Child, the Decade on Edu-cation for Human Rights(1995-2004) etc. Discussionsshould be held within the contextof students' own experiences,expanding to encompass therights of others, and sensitizingthem to their own rights but alsoto their duties and responsibili-ties. Today, many activitiesrelating to human rights aim ateliminating all manifestations ofintolerance, racism, prejudiceand at strengthening educationfor democracy, mutual respect,civic responsibility, toleranceand the non-violent resolutionof conflicts.

3. Intercultural learning: Associeties become increasinglymulticultural and multiethnic,the study of other countries andcultures can be undertaken atthe local and national levels.Contact can be made with par-ents or students of other origins,indigenous peoples, immigrantgroups and with other nations'embassies and cultural centres.They can be invited to contributeto exhibitions or provide speakersto address students about thecountry and its role in the UnitedNations family, so as to promotea better understanding and ap-preciation of other customs, tra-ditions and values. Althoughinternational understanding be-gins at home, in school and in thecommunity, many internationalcontacts can be facilitated andmade possible through ASPnet.

4. Environmental concern: Thistheme allows students to linkinternational issues affecting theglobal environment to individual,local or national realities. Withinthis framework, they can be en-couraged to confront problemsof local concern which may leadthem to develop strategies for

In approaching these themes,the point of departure should berelevant to the students’ ownenvironment, concerns and aspi-rations. The themes presentedbelow provide a basis which canbe extended to other topics.

1. World concerns and the role ofthe United Nations System: Selectan issue of world concern suchas poverty, hunger, disease,unemployment, pollution, illiter-acy, cultural identity, women'sissues, population, etc., andexamine various facets of theproblem locally, nationally andinternationally. As the studentssearch for possible solutions, theywill come to understand in amore concrete way, the presentand future role of the UnitedNations and its SpecializedAgencies. The celebration ofInternational and United NationsYears and Days can also helpstudents to situate these issuesin the context of their own lives,now and in the future.

2. Human rights, democracy andtolerance: Schools often chooseas points of departure the Univer-

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the same or similar problems atboth national and internationallevels. Related themes includestudies on pollution, energy,forest conservation, marine andatmospheric research, soil erosionand conservation of naturalresources, desertification, the"greenhouse effect", sustainabledevelopment, recycling, "Agenda21", etc. and, ultimately, onhow science contributes to thefuture of humanity. Subsequentto discussion in the classroom,community-oriented projectscan be conducted to addressimmediate local needs.

B.4EXAMPLES OF ASPNETFLAGSHIP PROJECTSAND INTERNATIONALCAMPAIGNS

World Heritage Education Project

Description: UNESCO's YoungPeople's World Heritage Educa-tion Project was launched in1994 to raise awareness amongstudents and teachers aroundthe globe about World Heritageconservation. The project is co-ordinated by the UNESCO WorldHeritage Centre and the Asso-ciated Schools Project Network(ASPnet) Co-ordination Unit

and funded by the NorwegianAgency for Development Co-oper-ation (NORAD) with previoussupport from the Rhône-PoulencFoundation, France.

Objective: Through the integrationof World Heritage education intosecondary school curricula, theproject aims to involve youngpeople in World Heritage conser-vation and to create a new syner-gy among teachers, curriculumdevelopers, heritage experts andother relevant people from localto global levels. It is based on thebelief that only by instilling intomorrow's decision-makers adeep sense of responsibility to-wards our common heritage canthe planet's rich cultural andnatural diversity endure.

Transatlantic Slave TradeEducation Project

Description: The ASPnetTransatlantic Slave Trade Projectwas launched in 1998 to breakthe silence surrounding theTransatlantic Slave Trade and toenable young people to fullycomprehend the past, under-stand the present and prepare abetter future together in a worldfree of all types of stereotypes,enslavement, injustice, discrimi-nation and prejudice. The projectis funded by the NorwegianAgency for Development Co-operation (NORAD).

Objective: As an integral part ofthe UNESCO Slave Route Project,the project aims to improve theteaching of history by tellingthe whole story of the Trans-atlantic Slave Trade (TST). Theproject emphasizes the signifi-cance of the TST, the sufferingit caused and its social, culturaland economic impact on theAtlantic world. It is the firstinternational endeavour to mobi-lize schools in Africa, the

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Americas/Caribbean and Europeto develop new educationalapproaches while promotingintercultural dialogue betweenyoung people.

Baltic Sea Project (BSP)

Description: This project waslaunched in 1989 within theframework of ASPnet to mobilizeschools in all nine countries bor-dering the Baltic Sea in a com-mon endeavour to help tackle thevital environmental issues facingthis region and its inhabitants.

Objective: The project seeks toraise awareness of students onthe environmental problems ofthe region and to help them tounderstand the scientific, socialand cultural aspects of the inter-dependence of people and nature.It aims to facilitate a systematicexchange of information oneducational methods developed,experience acquired and resultsachieved for the benefit of alleducators, teachers, and studentsin the Baltic Sea countriesthrough the publication of aBaltic Sea Newsletter andresource materials for teachers.

Sister projects of BSP: CaribbeanSea Project, Blue Danube RiverProject, Western MediterraneanSea Project and Zambezi RiverBasin Project.

Time Project

Description: "This is our Time" isan annual, global communicationsproject for secondary schoolsworldwide. The one-day, 24-hourevent offers schools a unique op-portunity to learn about and fromeach other. Time participants useall available means of informationcommunication technology (ICT),from fax to e-mail and from vi-deo-conferencing to chatroomson the Internet. They share and

exchange information, debateand confront one another withcontemporary issues and ques-tion what the future will bring.

Objective: The Time Project strivesto offer young people a digital,cross-curricular and interdiscip-linary learning environment. Itoffers an outstanding platform forschools, organizations, studentsand teachers to contribute tointernational co-operation andunderstanding based on partner-ship, sustainability and sharing.It also enables students to de-velop communications skills andthe use of ICT for networking.

Twenty First CenturyFree of Drugs

This international campaign waslaunched in 1998 with the col-laboration of UNESCO, UnitedNations Drug Control Programme(UNDCP) and the French NGO,"Environnement sans frontière"(ESF). As youth constitute one ofthe most vulnerable groups wheredrug problems are concerned, thecampaign aims at promotingawareness of substance abuseand in getting young peopleinvolved in preventive action.

Young Scientists:women and men

The aim of this campaign is toencourage young people, espe-cially women, to pursue scientificstudies at a time when science isbecoming more important and

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the need for sustainable develop-ment requires reflection on therole of science in our societies.Too few women as yet are to befound pursuing scientificcareers: only 5 to 10 percent ofthe decision makers and only11 out of the 444 Nobel Prizewinners have been women!Hence, UNESCO decided tolaunch a world campaign toencourage future scientists,especially girls.

B.5NETWORKING

Tips for establishing a link with aschool in another country

• Make direct contact byselecting a school from the List of Participating Institutions. The list includes addresses, telephone and fax numbers as well as e-mail addresses (when available) of all members of the ASP Network. The list is updated and published annuallyby UNESCO.

• Perseverance and patienceis often needed to maintain and sustain meaningfulpartnerships.

• Contact the ASPnet National Co-ordinator of the country you want to establish links with and ask to be linked witha class/school there.

• If you have access toInternet and e-mail, you couldalso join the listserv of ASPnet to contact other ASPnet members.

Tips for sustainable networking

• Maintain a regular flow ofcorrespondence during the school year to keep up the interest and enthusiasm of students as well as to avoid disappointment at thereceiving end.

• Exchange letters, photographsand packages of everyday things used in schools, homes, etc. to give an idea of daily life in your country.

• Integrate elements about the partner country in subjects like history, geography,social studies, language, art, music, etc.

• Links to curriculum should bean integral part of the generalnetworking approach.

• Exchange and sharing of knowledge and learning should be the focus ofschool networking.

• Networking should ensure opportunities for group work and participatory learning about the core themes.

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C.

HOW DOES ASPnetFUNCTION?

C.HOW DOES ASPnetFUNCTION?

For ASPnet to function effec-tively, there is a need for asynergy among all those involvedin the Network: the teachersand principals of ASPnetschools, the ASPnet NationalCo-ordinator, the NationalCommissions for UNESCO,the Field Offices of UNESCOand the International Co-ordina-tion Unit in Paris. All havecrucial roles to play which aredistinct but which should com-plement each other.

C.1AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL

Role of the principalsand teachers

• Mobilize the interest of all the teachers and students in ASPnet even if you start out with a few.

• Convene a meeting for teachersat the beginning of the schoolyear in order to select a themefor a pilot project and discussits planning, implementation and assessment.

• Submit an annual report on the activities conducted and results achieved to the ASPnet National Co-ordinator.

• Circulate UNESCO and other United Nations material within the school and make it accessible to students and teachers (set up a "UNESCO ASPnet Corner").

• At the end of the schoolyear exhibit and present the work undertaken and invite parents and the community at large.

• Publicize activities carriedout through the schoolpaper, local press, radioand television.

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C.2AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL

Role of the National Co-ordinator

• Ensure active participation of every school in the network through regular contacts and organizing ASPnet activities at the national level.

• Assist schools in elaborating innovative programmes of study and experimenting with new teaching material.

• Evaluate pilot projects conducted by individual schools based on their reportsand send a summary of the evaluation to UNESCO Field Offices and Headquarters.

• Serve as a link between the schools and UNESCO.

• Organize international part-nerships, links and exchanges.

• Support schools' participa-tion in projects, contests,etc. at the national, regional and interregional or interna-tional levels.

Role of National Commissionsfor UNESCO

• Designate or elect the ASPnetNational Co-ordinator.

• Organize ASPnet national meetings regularly in co-operation with the ASPnet National Co-ordinator.

• Publish a national newsbulletin on UNESCO activitiesin co-operation with the ASPnet National Co-ordinator.

• Serve as official liaisonwith other countries as well as with the regional officesof UNESCO and with Headquarters.

C.3AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL

Role of the UNESCO Field Offices

• Propose and implement sub-regional and regional flagship projects on specific themes, and widely diffuse results andmaterials developed.

• Implement regional strategiestaking into account thespecificity, needs andpriorities of each region.

• Organize regional encounters,seminars and workshops for ASPnet students, teachers and National Co-ordinators.

• Publish newsletters, informationmaterial and website suitable for needs of the region.

• Ensure inclusion of ASPnet inthe agenda items of all major regional conferences on edu-cation organized by UNESCO.

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• Provide field support and liaise between National Co-ordinators and UNESCO Headquarters.

C.4AT THEINTERNATIONAL LEVEL

Role of the UNESCO ASPnetInternational Co-ordination Unit

• Register new schools in the international network upon approval by national authorities.

• Update and publish database of list of ASPnet schools and National Co-ordinators.

• Organize international encounters, fora, workshops and seminars for ASPnetstudents, teachers and National Co-ordinators.

• Prepare and publish innovativeteaching materials for dissem-ination to member schools.

• Publish and disseminate information on ASPnet activi-ties through its international newsletter, journal, website and other briefing material.

• Ensure that special achieve-ments of ASPnet NationalCo-ordinators, Associated Schools, educators, teachers, students and pupils in devel-oping international education are properly recognized.

• Provide links with internationalorganizations and non-governmental organizationsin the ASPnet.

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PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR

Alysouk LynhiavuUNESCO ASPnet NationalCo-ordinator for CanadaCanadian Commission for UNESCO

PRODUCTION

Jeff HoltCanadian Commission for UNESCO

TEXTBased on the UNESCO publication“Key Words for Participating in theUNESCO Associated SchoolsProject Network”

EDITING

Katherine BergCanadian Commission for UNESCOMathieu GonthierCanadian Commission for UNESCO

DESIGN

Kolegramdesign

PRINTING

Delta Printing LTD.

© 2002 CANADIAN COMMISSIONFOR UNESCO. Reproduction is authorizedwith acknowledgement of the CanadianCommission for UNESCO.

CANADIAN COMMISSION FOR UNESCO350 Albert Street, Box 1047Ottawa, Ontario CANADA K1P 5V8

Web site: www.unesco.caE-mail: info@unesco.ca