1953

33 schools / 16 countries

PROJECT LAUNCH “Scheme of Co-ordinated Experimental
Activities in Education for Living in a World Community”
OBJECTIVE Encourage the development of education in theaims and activities of the United Nations and the Specialised
Agencies, and in the principles of the Universal Declaration ofHuman Rights
PARTICIPANTS Secondary Schools

1957
1958

Project renamed to “Associated Schools Project in Education forInternational Understanding and Co-operation”
Activities are extended to teacher training institutes
First publications: International Understanding at School andSome Suggestions for Human Rights Teaching

191 schools / 42 countries

1963ASP International Meeting, France
Definition of ASP study themes:
1. World problems and the role of the United Nations;
2. Foreign countries and cultures, and3. Human Rights
Primary Schools join the project
Publication: World Problems in the Classroom: the Roleof the United Nations

1965

Project renamed to “Associated Schools Project in
Education for International Understanding and Peace”

1971

A fourth study theme is added:“The protection of the environment”

1972

1963-1973
Several ASP sub-regional workshops (Asia, Europe andLatin America) & two major international workshops(Hamburg, Germany)
1974 Recommendation, Paragraph 23:“Member States should take advantage ofthe experience of the Associated Schools
which carry out, with UNESCO’s help,
programmesofinternationaleducation.
Those concerned with Associated Schools in
Member States should strengthen and renew
their efforts to extend the programme toother educational institutions and work
towards the general application of its
results.”

1973“Associated Schools Project in Education for International
Cooperation and Peace”

1974“Adoption of the Recommendation concerning Education forInternational Understanding, Co-operation and Peace andEducation relating to Human Rights and Fundamental
Freedoms” includes several specific references to ASPnet

1976

Pre-primary institutions join the project

1973-1983
Nine ASP regional seminars and six international conferences

1980

1,672 schools / 81 countries

923 schools / 63 countries

Launch of first Interregional Project toenhance the study of human rights, disarmament
and the New International Economic Order1983

ASP International Congress, Bulgaria• First art contest for the ASP logo (wonby an art student from Bolivia)• First medium-term strategy: emphasis on
mobilizing schools in support of theInternational Youth Year (1985) and theInternational Year of Peace (1986)“The Associated Schools Project corresponds to the fundamental principles
defined by UNESCO’s constitution […] These schools do not represent aspecial category of establishments operating on the fringe of each country’s
educational system.

Publications:••••

World Concerns and the United Nations: ModelTeaching Units for Primary, Secondary and Teacher
Education(basedonASP
innovative
teachingpractices)
Challenges to Human Rights and Peace
Seeds for Peace – The Role of Pre-School Educationin International Understanding and Education forPeaceInternational
Understanding
through
ForeignLanguage TeachingThey are schools –primary, secondary and teacher-training
establishments- that build into their curricula and activities different
components designed to foster international understanding and that
co-operate for this purpose […] The Associated Schools are in theforefront of the institutions that are working, selflessly andeffectively, for these objectives. In congratulating them most warmly
on the work that they have already accomplished, it is my earnest hopethat this Congress will open up new paths, which will enable them topursue even farther their exemplary efforts to bring about
understanding, friendship and peace”

UNESCO supports a first regional flagship project: theBaltic Sea Project

1989

1983-1993
Over 30 ASP regional and global workshops and seminars,
including the first ASP Youth Encounter (1986)

1993

Mr. M. M’Bow, Director-General of UNESCO, Inaugural address, ASP
30th anniversary Congress, Sofia, Bulgaria, September 1983.

2,900 schools / 116 countries

ASP International Symposium, Germany• 1994-2000 Strategy and Action Plan
• ASP renamed as “Associated Schools Project Network”

1994

North/South School Twinning for Intercultural Dialogue andSolidarity
Launch of ASPnet Calendars to support schools in theircelebration of international days

1995

Seven “ASPnet Culture of Peace” Festivals and Resource Kit
Launch of interregional and global projects: Education andCraft Professions; Energy, Development, Environment (EDEN);
Caribbean Sea Project; Zambesi River Project; Young People’s
Participation in World Heritage Preservation and Promotion;
Breaking the Silence: the ASPnet Transatlantic Slave Trade
Education Project; Time Project; Agenda 21 NOW!

7,400 schools / 170 countries

1999

Children’s World Parliament and Youth Manifesto for the 21stCentury

2001

ASPnet International Friendship Encounter “Sports in Favour ofPeace”, St. Malo, France

2003

Launch of the Great Volga River Route (GVRR) – Uniting
the Seas (Baltic, Black and Caspian Seas) in favour ofWorld Heritage Education for Sustainable Development
ASPnet students participate in the Mondialogo SchoolContestRegional Meeting “ASPnet: Education for Peace andSustainable Development”, Luxembourg
Launch of the Pilot “The Truce Story”

2005ASPnet students participate in the Campaign “Messages
about progress for the future of our planet”

2006

Piloting of OzonAction
Collection of Good Practices (1. Quality Education 2. Education for
Sustainable Development 3. Intercultural Dialogue
Education for Human Rights...Young People Talking (video)

2009

Piloting of Biodiversity Learning PackLaunch of Bringing Back Smiles Project and Stay Safe &Be Prepared Educational Kit (Students Guide, Teachers
Guide, Parents Guide)

2012

2013

9,700 schools / 180 countries

ASPnet renamed to “Associated Schools Network (ASPnet)”
ASPnet in Action online collaborative platform & Guides(Students, Teachers)

Launch of Teaching Respect for All project (video)

2015

Piloting of the Teachers’ Guide on the Prevention of Violent Extremism

Arts Contest Opening Hearts and Minds to Refugees

2016

Start of global pilot project on the whole-school approach toclimate action Getting Climate Ready2017

Ark of Inquiry ProjectMedia and Information Literacy (MIL) CLICKS

2018

11,700 schools / 182 countries

2023
70th anniversary of ASPnet

Piloting of 5 UNESCO toolkits/manuals in 80 countries: Culture ofLawfulness, Sport Values in Every Classroom, Ocean Literacy forAll, Writing Peace, European Year of Cultural Heritage: Engaging
Youth for an Inclusive and Sustainable Europe

2019

Global Initiative Teacher Training in Support of Transformative Education

2020

COVID-19 LearningNeverStops Campaign & 1st Global Webinar

2021

Launch of new ASPnet Newsletter CONNECT

Trash Hack Teachers Guide & Global School Campaign
ASPnet X Futures of Education Focus Group Consultations