UNESCO Associated Schools Network: 70 years of transformative education

Founded in 1953 on UNESCO’s own principle that ‘Since wars begin in the minds of men and women, it is in the minds of men and women that the defences of peace must be constructed’, ASPnet works to connect more than 3.5 million students, teachers, principals and wider school communities and over 12.000 schools in 182 countries worldwide to foster peace and advocate for sustainable development.

With member schools in Africa, the Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and North America and Latin America and the Caribbean, ASPnet promotes the ideals of human rights and dignity, gender equality, social progress, freedom, justice and democracy, respect for diversity and international solidarity. Operating nationally and internationally, it has three clear priorities: education for sustainable development, global citizenship education and inter-cultural and heritage learning.

The Network functions as a global platform and laboratory of ideas to communicate and advocate for transformative education, build capacity for innovative teaching, and strengthen collaboration between countries and schools. Coordinated from UNESCO Headquarters, National Coordinators and member schools develop global projects, initiatives, and campaigns designed to empower students to act locally and globally for peace and sustainability. Among its major initiatives are initiating global sustainable development movements and bringing school communities to the debate on the Futures of Education initiative. ASPnet also collaborates with UNESCO networks such as Chairs, Geoparks, Biosphere Reserves and Cultural Heritage Sites, among other partners.  

• In 1953, ASPnet started on a grassroots level, driven by a growing number of teachers committed to a humanistic and international vision of education. 
• In 1958, the Network’s activities extended to teacher training institutes and the first document providing tools and resources is issued. 
• In 1965, primary schools joined. 
• In 1974, the General Conference adopted the Recommendation on Education for International Understanding, Co-operation and Peace and Education relating to Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms which specifically recognizes ASPnet, and prompts more Member States to join the network. 
• In 1979, the first interregional project to enhance the study of human rights, disarmament and the New International Economic Order was launched. 
• In 1986, to celebrate the International Year of Peace, some 60 ASPnet students and their teachers from 23 countries in Eastern and Western Europe came together at UNESCO Headquarters. 
• In 1999, 500 young people and their teachers, from 175 different countries, with most from ASPnet schools, gathered at UNESCO Headquarters for the Children’s World Parliament and democratically drafted a Youth Manifesto for the 21st Century.

During the COVID-19 pandemic ASPnet undertook a unique project to record in real time how students, teachers and parents were coping with the rapid changes in their lives and education. Some 190 countries across the globe closed their schools and university to stop the spread of the coronavirus in 2020 forcing an estimated 1.6 billion learners to stay at home. ASPNet invited students, teachers and parents to record and share inspiring stories through videos and media channels about how they coped and continued to learn during the closures.

In September 2020, on World Cleanup Day, ASPnet brought young people together worldwide for the first ever Trash Hack, a global campaign to make sustainable development a reality through cheap and easy individual actions. The campaigns have included recycling school equipment, cutting down on waste at home and in college, and have produced teachers’ guides on greening as well as artwork and music.

Since October 2022, the pilot project Fostering Global Citizens through the Memory of the World, co-organized with UNESCO’s Documentary Heritage Unit, has supported students and teachers from Ghana, Indonesia, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom to learn collaboratively about their shared colonial pasts using pieces of documentary heritage to empower them to act as global citizens committed to addressing racism and discrimination.

As part of ASPnet’s 70th anniversary, an exhibition will be held at UNESCO Headquarters during the General Conference from 7 to 22 November, highlighting the network’s key initiatives. It will depict ASPnet's 70-year journey with images, texts and videos showcasing the history and achievements of the network. On 8 November, from 2:00 to 2:45 PM, ASPnet will hold a special event to launch the exhibition, which will be live streamed, and will include a panel discussion on transformative education, and a glimpse into ASPnet’s future.  

• ASPnet’s key initiatives 
• More about ASPnet