Report on UNESCO ASSOCIATED SCHOOLS PROJECT NETWORK (ASPnet) Workshop for Coordinators

Abstract

Over the past five decades, UNESCO Associated Schools have proved to be a formidable vehicle for putting into practice resolutions adopted by the UNESCO General Conference and the UN General Assembly. ASPnet schools are ready and willing to embark on new projects which enable children and young people to tackle current challenges identified by the United Nations system effectively. Associated Schools strive to be in the forefront of what is happening in the world and to pioneer and explore new frontiers of education rather than to remain in the back seat. UNATCOM in its project to revitalize ASPnet in Uganda brought together old/new members in a workshop. Among the things agreed was to develop action plans and to implement some concrete projects on the common themes of ASPnet. It is against this background that a workshop for ASPnet coordinators was organized under the theme quality education and lifelong learning. The purpose of the workshop was to review the implementation of the action plan, share experiences, strengthen coordination, and strengthen the four themes of peace, intercultural learning, Education for Sustainable Development and the role of the United Nations system. The workshop was officially opened by the Secretary General, Uganda National Commission for UNESCO. He emphasized the role of ASPnet network, that Associated Schools are less renowned for their numbers but rather for their capacity to reinforce the ethical and international dimensions of education thereby improving the quality of education for all. ASPnet coordinators presented reports of activities carried out in their institutions. At the end of the workshop, participants agreed to organize a youth camp and produce an annual magazine of activities undertaken in their institutions.