UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet)
The UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet) is a global network of more than 9.000 educational institutions, ranging from pre-schools, primary, secondary and vocational schools to teacher training institutions across 180 countries (as of June 2011).
Many ASPnet schools work in support of Education for Sustainable Development, including biodiversity, as one of four main ASPnet study themes in favor of quality education. On occasions such as the International Year of Biodiversity 2010 or The International Day for Biological Diversity, 22 May each year, many ASPnet schools engage in activities ranging from exhibitions to research projects, awareness-raising activities and cooperation with Biosphere Reserves.
ASPnet plays a vital role as a laboratory for developing, pilot-testing and implementing ESD methods that can provide examples of good practices for other schools and eventually be taken to scale. As such, the Network has an important share in the United Nations Decade for Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014).
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