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An Overview of the ASPnet Project  (Power Point Presentation) 

UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet)

What Is ASPnet?

In 1953, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) initiated the Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet). The purpose of the initiative was to give concrete expression to UNESCO’s overarching mission of promoting peace and international cooperation through education. Schools that join ASPnet are committed to promoting UNESCO’s ideals by undertaking projects that prepare young people to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex world. ASPnet teachers and students have the chance to work together to develop innovative educational approaches, methods and materials at the local, national and global levels. Read more about ASPnet on the Canadian Commission for UNESCO website.

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Structure and Plan for a Canadian ASPnet

In the fall of 2001 the Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCU) began exploring the possibility of establishing an ASPnet in Canada. The CCU subsequently approached the Council of Ministers of Education of Canada (CMEC) about establishing a Canadian ASPnet. The CMEC, in turn, asked each of the provincial and territorial governments to appoint a coordinator to work with the CCU on a national pilot project.

The purpose of the national ASPnet pilot project is to encourage schools from across Canada to participate in an ASPnet. Each province and territory has been asked to appoint a coordinator and to identify schools that wish to participate in a pilot project in the province or territory. In Alberta, the provincial coordinator is Robert Mazzotta, Executive Staff Officer, Member Services, for the Alberta Teachers' Association.

Schools wishing to join the ASPnet must meet strict criteria. A school that is first accepted into the program is known as a candidate school. After serving as a candidate school for at least two years, a school may apply to the CCU in Ottawa for national accreditation. A school that is accredited at the national level and operates in this capacity for at least two years may, in turn, apply for international accreditation. The ASPnet accreditation body at the international level is the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Please note that the criteria for Associated Schools is currently under review and will be changing.

Candidate Schools

A school wishing to qualify as an ASPnet candidate school must meet the following criteria:

  1. Operate at the provincial/territorial level.
  2. Build support and commitment for ASPnet accreditation from the school administration, the school district administration, the staff, the student body and parents.
  3. Integrate UNESCO ideals and themes into curricular and extracurricular programs and into school policies and practices.
  4. Build a school culture that reflects UNESCO ideals.
  5. Build partnerships in the community to work toward UNESCO ideals. These partnerships may be with postsecondary institutions, non-governmental organizations, community service organizations, businesses or government agencies.
  6. Report annually to the provincial/territorial coordinator.

ASPnet National School Accreditation

Schools wishing to obtain ASPnet national school accreditation must meet the following criteria:

  1. Provide evidence of demonstrated commitment from the school administration, the school district administration, the staff, the student body and parents.
  2. Provide evidence over a period of two years or more of efforts to integrate UNESCO ideals and themes into curricular and extracurricular programs and school policies and practices.
  3. Provide evidence over a period of two years or more of successful action taken to build within the school a culture that reflects UNESCO ideals.
  4. Provide evidence over a period of two years or more of collaborating with community organizations and agencies to realize UNESCO ideals.
  5. Submit, via the provincial/territorial coordinator, an annual report to the national coordinator.
  6. Have served a minimum of two years at the candidate level.

The CCU bestows national accreditation for a three-year period. Schools wishing to maintain their national accreditation must reapply during the third year of their accreditation.

ASPnet International School Accreditation

School wishing to obtain ASPnet international school accreditation must meet the following criteria:

  1. Provide evidence of sustainable commitment from the school administration, the school district administration, the staff, the student body and parents.
  2. Provide evidence that UNESCO ideals and themes have been integrated into curricular and extracurricular programs and into school policies and practices.
  3. Provide evidence of a sustainable culture within the school that reflects UNESCO ideals.
  4. Provide evidence that the school has collaborated with community organizations and agencies to realize UNESCO ideals.
  5. Have participated a minimum of two years at the national level
  6. Submit, via the provincial/territorial coordinator and the national coordinator, an annual report to UNESCO.

National support for ASPnet international school accreditation extends for three years. Schools wishing to maintain their international ASPnet status must reapply during the third year of their current accreditation.

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Candidate Schools

The following schools have been accepted as Candidate Schools and are working towards National Accreditation:

  • Canmore Collegiate High School, Canmore
  • École francophone d’Airdrie, Airdrie
  • École francophone du Nord-Est, Calgary
  • F R Haythorne Junior High School, Sherwood Park
  •  Holy Trinity School, Edmonton
  • M E LaZerte High School, Edmonton
  • Queen Elizabeth High School, Edmonton
  • St Benedict School, Leduc

Applying for Candidate School Status

Schools in Alberta interested in applying for candidate school status should download and complete an   Application Form for Candidate School Status  [ Application Form for Candidate School Status (en Francais)] and mail it, together will a letter of support from their superintendent, to the following address:

Robert Mazzotta
Executive Staff Officer, Member Services
The Alberta Teachers' Association
11010 42 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 2R1

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