Associated Schools Project Network (ASPNet)

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

As we enter the third millennium, it is time to reflect on where we stand in education today and how it can be improved in order to ensure a better future for all.

It is obvious that education has a paramount role to play in order to help children and young people promote the ideals of UNESCO and to confront the many new challenges caused by rapid change, the electronic era, globalization and the widening gap of inequality. Urgent action is required to ensure quality education!

Consequently, the UNESCO International Commission on Education for the Twenty-first Century advocated the strengthening of four main pillars of learning:

• learning to know;
• learning to do;
• learning to be; and
• learning to live together

By taking part in the Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet) and conducting pilot projects, schools have the opportunity to make significant contributions to improve the quality of education by reinforcing these pillars:

Learning to know: There is often a gap between what is happening in the classroom and what is going on in the world. Today's young people will quickly become tomorrow's decision- makers. Many ASPnet activities enable young people to become more aware of vital world issues and their solutions ranging from conflicts, xenophobia, poverty, drug abuse, environmental deterioration, human rights abuses, HIV/AIDS, or cultural diversity.

In a world that has become complex and interdependent, ASPnet activities strive to provide holistic learning and meaningful knowledge.

Learning to do: The future will continue to call for even more mobility, flexibility and new skills to respond to employment needs and social change. Rather than being the mere recipients of knowledge, students will increasingly become the main actors in the learning process. ASPnet activities are student-oriented with emphasis on involving students in seeking and collecting information, analyzing it and drawing conclusions. Problem-solving techniques, non-violent resolution of conflicts, creativity and communication skills are an integral part of ASPnet activities.

Learning to be: As mentioned, knowledge does not suffice. It has to be put to good use to achieve freedom, equity, solidarity, tolerance, non-violence, respect for nature and shared responsibility. ASPnet reinforces the humanistic and ethical dimensions of education and helps to forge students’ critical thinking, attitudes and commitment to peace and to prepare them for responsible global citizenship.

Learning to live together: In spite of acquiring so much knowledge and know-how, we have still not yet learned the essential: how to live together! One of the greatest challenges before us is that of learning to live together in peace and dignity. Over the years, Associated Schools have contributed to reinforcing this essential goal through confirming a sense of identity, self-worth and self-confidence combined with respect for other cultures.

An information booklet on ASPnet has been prepared to provide practical guidelines to enhance active participation in the Network so that it can achieve its objectives to ensure quality education for all. An important asset of ASPnet is its capacity to involve school principals, teachers and students in all parts of the world, including those with access to sophisticated resources as well as those with little or no infrastructure, in learning to live together in peace and harmony.

Many highly successful innovations have been achieved due to the dedication, competence and vision of school teachers, principals and ASPnet Provincial and Territorial Co-ordinators. Since 2001, the Network has doubled in size revealing the interest and support it has achieved.

For more information on ASPnet, please download the booklet.