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Launched by UNESCO in 1953 with 33 secondary schools in 15 Member States, ASPnet now includes some 7,500 institutions, ranging from nursery schools to teacher training institutions in 174 countries. ASPnet is one of the most successful long-term initiatives of the Organization.
ASPnet represents an extraordinary variety of schools. Although the majority of the institutions are state schools, there are also private and experimental schools in the network.Associated Schools are not "UNESCO schools" as such, but are run in accordance with their own national system of education. Institutions are selected by their national authorities to take part in UNESCO's Associated Schools Project. The institutions participating in ASPnet represent pre-school, primary, secondary, technical and vocational, and teacher-training levels. Although some schools are better funded than others, the better-off schools are by no means 'elite'. All have in common the four ASPnet themes, and activities reflecting commitment to UNESCO ideals (international days, human rights, democracy, non-violence, intercultural learning and protection of the environment).
Associated Schools commit to promoting the ideals of UNESCO by conducting pilot projects in favour of better preparing children and young people to meet effectively the challenges of an increasingly complex and interdependent world. The new ASPnet Strategy and Plan of Action (2004-2009) places emphasis on reinforcing the four pillars of Learning for the 21st Century (learning to know, to do, to be and to live together) and promoting quality education as outlined in the Dakar Framework of Action. ASPnet teachers and students have many opportunities to work together beyond their classrooms to develop innovative educational approaches, methods and materials from local to global levels.
General goals of ASPnet:
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At the national level:
National Commissions for UNESCO and Ministries of Education establish a network of schools interested in carrying out activities and in order to improve quality education, particularly its ethical, cultural and international dimensions by developing effective teaching approaches, methods and materials. This network is designed to have a multiplier effect through the diffusion of information on results obtained so that other schools in the country can carry out similar activities. There are numerous cases where ASPnet contributes to educational reform and renewal in various Member States of UNESCO.
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At the regional level:
Countries within a region often share common denominators such as language, religion and culture. To strengthen these bonds, each region of the world is encouraged to set up an educational Plan of Action, to include regional seminars and workshops for National Coordinators and teachers, student and teacher exchanges, and other initiatives and events, most notably "Flagship projects".
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At international level:
Efforts are made to facilitate an exchange of information on ASPnet at all levels, the conduct of international flagship projects, special events, campaigns, contests and to encourage contacts and links of solidarity between participating institutions.
The ASPnet 50th Anniversary International Congress, "Navigators for Peace", for Quality Education was held in Auckland, New Zealand on 3-9 August 2003, under the auspices of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO in co-operation with the UNESO Apia Office in Samoa and UNESCO Headquarters. Draft Final Report, Draft ASPnet Strategy and Plan of Action 2004-2009, and The Auckland Declaration were adopted at the Congress.
Associated schools work very actively in countries of our cluster. Education desk of Moscow UNESCO Office has defined ASPnet work plan for the current two years.
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The project World Heritage and Sustainable Development is implemented via UNESCO associated schools. The goal of this project is to develop educational programs on world heritage and sustainable development and providing children new knowledge and skills, especially in information and communication technologies.
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