Reaching Across Our Borders
for World Peace
A joint initiative of the UNESCO
Associated Schools Project Network
and Rotary International.
Ira Udow, Rotary International District 5550 WPP, August 21, 2013
UNESCO Associated Schools Network
UNESCO History
 Created in 1946 following World War II;
 Meant to embody a genuine culture of peace and prevent another
world war;
 Canada was one of first 20 countries to ratify and sign the UN
Constitution
Overarching Goal:
“To build peace in the minds
of men.”
UN Constitution 1945
“Since wars begin
in the minds of men,
it is in the minds of men
that the defenses of peace
must be constructed.”
UNESCO Vision
“To promote collaboration among the nations through
education, science, and culture, and to further
universal respect for justice, for the rule of law, and for
human rights and fundamental freedoms, which are
affirmed for the peoples of the world, without
distinction of race, sex, language or religion.”
UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network
The network provides a forum for the promotion of
UNESCO ideals of
Global Citizenship, Social Justice, Student
Leadership Democracy, Human Rights,
Solidarity, and Mutual Understanding.
Canadian ASPnet is Launched in
Manitoba, January 2002
"The Canadian Commission for UNESCO is pleased the Province of
Manitoba has taken the initiative and launched the first network of
Associated Schools in Canada,” (David Walden CCU Secretary General)
"UNESCO has played an important role on the global stage for many
years. By becoming involved in this program, Manitoba youth will have
an excellent opportunity to develop a global perspective and enhance
their understanding of world issues.” (Drew Caldwell, Minister of Education)
UNESCO International
National and Local Network
 Director General – Irina Bokova, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris
 Secretary General – Myriam Montrat, Canadian Commission, Ottawa
 National Coordinator - Marie-Christine Lecompte, Canadian Commission,
Ottawa
 National Steering Committee – Robert Mazzota, Alberta
 Canadian Sectoral Commission on Education – Gareth Neufeld, Manitoba
 Provincial Coordinator – Linda Mlodzinski, Social Studies Consultant,
Manitoba Education
 Provincial Chair – Ira Udow, Manitoba
Manitoba UNESCO Associated Schools
 Al Hijra Islamic School
 Niji Mahkwa Aboriginal School
 Beausejour Early Years School
 Onanole Elementary School
 Brock Corydon English/Hebrew Bilingual
 River East Collegiate
School
 Collège Jeanne Sauvé
 Stevenson-Britannia Adult Literacy
Program, Inc.
 Collège Louis Riel
 St. Emile Catholic School
 Collège Pierre-Elliot-Trudeau
 St. James Collegiate
 Ecole Churchill High School
 Vincent Massey Collegiate
 Ecole Laura Secord School
 University of Winnipeg Collegiate
 Ecole Golden Gate School
 University of Winnipeg Faculty of
 John Pritchard School
 Munroe Junior High
Education
 West St Paul School
UNESCO ASPnet Expectations
Schools that join the UNESCO Associated Schools
Project Network make a commitment to support the
ideals of UNESCO through four pillars of learning
and four themes of study, in order to contribute to
a local, national and global culture of peace.
UNESCO Pillars of Learning
The UNESCO International Commission on Education for the
Twenty-first Century advocated the strengthening of four main
pillars of learning:
 Learning to Know - Acquire knowledge and understanding, and think
critically about our complex and changing world.
 Learning to Do - Learn to participate effectively in local, national, and
global communities.
 Learning to Be – Build self-knowledge and be conscious of connections
to nature and society.
 Learning to Live Together - Learn to live peacefully with others and
to care for our common homeland.
UNESCO Study Themes
UNESCO Schools are committed to developing curricular projects
related to these study themes:
 Associated Schools Network and UN Priorities
 Education for Sustainable Development
 Peace and Human Rights
 Intercultural Learning
Student Learning
Often learning is interpreted as the gaining of knowledge, values and theories
but active and participatory learning also encourages learners to:
 Ask critical questions;
 Clarify one’s own values;
 Envision more positive and sustainable futures;
 Think systemically;
 Respond through applied learning;
 Explore the dialectic between tradition and innovation.
Cultural Diversity Project
A Partnership of UNESCO Schools
One initiative that has been running for the last 7 years involves these five
Winnipeg UNESCO Schools:
Al Hijra Islamic School
St Emile Catholic School
John Pritchard Public School
Niji Mahkwa Aboriginal School
Brock Corydon English/Hebrew Bilingual School
Cultural Diversity Project
Grade 5 students from the five schools participate:
September – May: Integration of cultural diversity in curricular activities
June: Cultural Diversity Workshop with Grade 11 and 12 Peer Leaders
Grade 6 students from the five schools participate
September – May: Integration of cultural diversity in curricular activities
November: Pipe Ceremony at Niji Mahkwa School
December: Field trip to Houses of Worship – Church, Mosque, Synagogue
Reaching Across Our Borders
for World Peace
This is a new initiative of the
UNESCO Associated Schools Network
with the support of
Rotary International.
Reaching Across Our Borders
for World Peace
Mission:
To extend and strengthen our mandate to support global
peace by forging new friendships between UNESCO
Associated Schools Networks of Canada and the USA with
the support of the respective Rotary International Clubs and
Districts beginning with Winnipeg, Manitoba and Cleves,
Ohio.
Reaching Across Our Borders
for World Peace
Significant people:
David Newman, Q.C., Counsel, Co-Chair Rotary WPP.
Estelle Lamoureux, Rotarian, International UNESCO
ASPnet Conference Past Chair.
Mr. Bill Ratliff and Mr. Will Ratliff, Rotarians, USA,
$25,000 US donation for a three year pilot project.
Reaching Across Our Borders
for World Peace
Year 1 - Expected Outcomes:
Students will have an increased awareness of the
school culture of all participating schools and
will have started establishing peer relationships.
Reaching Across Our Borders
for World Peace
Year 1 Strategies
 Schools will have established school based committees which would include school
administrators, lead teachers, students and (if possible) a local Rotarian.
 Schools will have developed a plan to increase school awareness of the program,
exchange of school cultural information and opportunities for developing peer
relationships through social media.
 School team members will be provided with release time and use virtual reality to
communicate and plan.
 Schools will move forward with one initiative to celebrate their newfound friendships.
 A common student led plan will have been developed for the 2014‐2015 school year.
Reaching Across Our Borders
for World Peace
Year 2 - Expected Outcomes:
 Students will have developed and implemented joint project initiatives within
their schools based on the UNESCO’s themes.
Strategies:
 Each school will have a committee led by students and facilitated by a lead
teacher.
 Each school committee will submit plans for three activities that focus on the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a Sustainable Future for All.
Reaching Across Our Borders
for World Peace
Year 3 Expected Outcomes:
 A common plan will be developed to support professional development for
teachers in education for a sustainable future practices based on embedding the
UNESCO themes and pillars within their classroom programs.
Strategies:
 Lead teachers will select professional development topics on the themes and
pillars of UNESCO.
 Teachers will visit their partner school during the school year and engage in
professional dialogue and planning.
Reaching Across Our Borders
for World Peace
This project has potential over time
to spread worldwide after initial
experience between USA and
Canadian schools.
The Earth Charter
Let ours be a time remembered
For the awakening of a new reverence for life
The firm resolve to achieve sustainability
The quickening of the struggle for justice and
peace, and the joyful celebration of life”*
(*Closing lines of the Earth Charter)
This is the promise
of the Earth Charter:
By declaring
what we must care about ...
By describing
what we must do ...
By inspiring
as many people as possible…
More and more people
will care ...
More and more people
will take action ...
More and more people
will inspire
more and more people ...
... to work for the wellbeing of all of us and our common home: