ASPnet in support of Education for All: Global Action Week 2009 In the Dominican Republic, pupils from a school in a rural area in the south of the country participated in several activities on the theme of literacy. The Gambia submitted a collection of The Gambia’s UNESCO ASPnet “Big Book”, a collection of short stories written by students, school administrators and other prominent personalities, that drew attention to the importance of literacy. 14 out of the 20 ASPnet Schools in The Gambia had their write-ups submitted to the EFA Campaign Network. In most of the Associated Schools, “Big Read” sessions were organised during School Assemblies nationwide in which prominent personalities were invited to read one of the short stories of the Big Book. The activities were covered by a Life TV. In Malta, students from the St Benedict College Safi, a primary school, marked the World Book Day through mime and poetry recitation, Big Read sessions and story telling. Students were encouraged to write reports, letters and poems that are displayed in various areas of the school and publicized in the school newsletter. They emphasize the importance of literacy and literate environments, in accordance with the school’s development plan to promote intercultural dialogue. In Mexico, the UNESCO Associated Schools of Nueva León initiated activities on the topic of literacy skills to mark Global Action Week. Four ASPnet schools and six other public schools were also organizing several Big Read sessions. To enhance the pleasure of reading, the College San Patricio, Monterrey, encouraged the school community to participate in a “reading marathon”: Teachers, students and parents achieved to read 67,381 books until the end of March 2009! In Oman, Al-Mutanabbi, an ASPnet secondary school for boys, organized several activities to highlight the importance of education and literacy, including a reading session for students, the composition of a psalm about literacy and an event during which students shared thoughts, poems and drawings about what education means to them. In Pakistan, Academia De Averroes advocated for the importance of literacy within several activities. The stories in the Big Read, some of them translated into the regional language, inspired students, teachers and administrators as well as the local community. A lecture on literacy for peace stressed the importance of education against the threat of terrorism. An essay and poster competition encouraged children to express their messages on the importance of literacy. In Paraguay, the UNESCO Associated Schools network held an official event in the main square of the city of Asunción on 22 April under the theme “Open Books, Open Doors”, in which local authorities and citizens as well as students, teachers and principals from local ASPnet schools participated. A Big Read session was organized for this occasion, as well as music and dance performances. UNESCO's National Commission in Paraguay also announced the winners of a national literacy competition that encouraged ASPnet students to submit drawings and writings on the importance of literacy skills. In Poland, fourteen Aspnet schools organized Big Read sessions, book reports, poetry competitions, theatre productions and other activities throughout Poland that culminated in more than 2,300 students, teachers, librarians and local authorities participating. Signatures were collected and presented to government officials. In Russia, ASPnet pupils in the city of Ufa, in Bashkortostan, took part in a writing contest in which students were invited to submit their thoughts on the importance of education. Local celebrities, school administrators and professors participated in a ceremony rewarding the winners of this contest. The first place winner’s entry will be published in an upcoming edition of a local youth newspaper. An ASPnet primary school in Moscow organized an afternoon of reading, games and music to highlight the importance of literacy. Children were initiated as “real readers”, finding through a labyrinth of literature, attending a meeting with a famous local writer and composer and participating in a contest called “The sailors in the ocean of literature”. In Trinidad and Tobago, in Guiaco, students from nine ASPnet primary and secondary schools recited poems and performed traditional dances and songs on 21 April as part of a launch celebration for GAW, in the presence of representatives of the Ministry of Education, who expressed their support and commitment to promote and improve literacy, numeracy and lifelong learning. On 22 April, “Big Read” sessions were organized at several schools and non-governmental organizations throughout the country that received attention from national television and print media. The worldwide advocacy campaign is organized by the Global Campaign for Education. By joining the campaign with enthusiasm and creativity, UNESCO Associated Schools (ASPnet), teachers and students sent a strong signal on the importance of literacy and literate environments. Related links:

		Global Action Week 2009 UNESCO's activities worldwide and UNESCO's resources Global Campaign for Education (GCE) Website of the GCE organizing the campaign The Big Book A collection of short stories that draw attention to the importance of literacy