Building Inclusive Schools Jacqueline Skytt Coordinator Professional Development, ATA

Session Objectives Discuss the need to develop inclusive schools and peace education Provide an overview of the UNESCO ASPnet project and accreditation process Feature activities of two UNESCO ASPnet schools Provide information on resources and supports for ASPnet schools.

Agenda Why Inclusive Schools and Peace Education? 2. What is UNESCO ASPnet? 3. What are the benefits? 4. How can you get involved?

ATA Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Committee Studies, advises and makes recommendations on issues of diversity, equity and human rights (DEHR) Facilitates action by Local related to DEHR Produces Just in Time electronic newsletter Provides print and web-based information and resources Supports the work of its sub-committees

Sub-Committees 1 2 3 4 Aboriginal Education Gender Equity Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network

Why inclusive schools and peace education?

The Alberta Teachers’ Association believes that every child has the right to be taught in an inclusive environment that is safe and caring, respects diversity and the rights of all persons, and provides equitable opportunities for success.

Inclusive Learning Communities Respect diversity, equity and human rights Support the intellectual, social, physical, emotional and spiritual development of each child Respect for the values of cooperation, trust, caring, sharing, rights and responsibilities Commitment to racial harmony and gender equality

Inclusive Learning Communities Support for First Nations, Métis and Inuit education Support for initiatives that address the effects of poverty on children Commit to peace, global education and violence prevention and, Promote sustainable school, family and community partnerships.

Peace Education: teaching individuals the information, attitudes, values and behavioural competencies needed to resolve conflict without violence and to build mutually beneficial, harmonious relationships

Major reasons for peace education To give students the competencies and values they need to build and maintain peace in their Families Peer group Community Workplace Country World And within themselves.

Major reasons for peace education To constructively deal with the aftermath of war and the presence of violence in our daily lives Increased violence and aggression To ensure that previously warring groups live together in harmony Immigrant children from war-torn countries who have experienced are socialized into a peaceful, democratic society.

Major reasons for peace education The social and environmental problems in the world now and in the future require all people to collaboratively work together to achieve the necessary solutions HIV and AIDs Global warming Pollution

Peace Education Cognitive Affective Behavioural

7 Worlds of Moral Education Character Education Cultural Education Caring Community Peace Education Social Action Just Community Ethical Inquiry

Moral Education The most popular form of moral education is character education Character education is however, the most limited vision of moral education The other six moral worlds hold more humane, imaginative, and profound visions of moral education. P Joseph & S Efron, 2005

What is UNESCO ASPnet?

UNESCO ASPnet United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Associated Schools Project Network

UNESCO ASPnet Established by UNESCO in 1953 More than 7000 schools in 172 countries Canada joined UNESCO ASPnet in 2001 The ATA is the coordinating body for ASPnet in Alberta The ATA has partnered with the Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities to implement ASPnet

UNESCO ASPnet ASPnet school projects are designed to prepare students to address the challenges of an increasingly diverse, complex and interdependent world.

UNESCO Four Pillars of Learning Learning to know Aware of world issues and their solutions Learning to do Active involvement in solution building Learning to be Development of attitudes and commitment to global citizenship Learning to live together Demonstrating respect for self and others

UNESCO ASPnet ASPnet students and teachers work together to develop innovative educational projects at the school, community, provincial and global levels.

APSnet Integrated Themes Human Rights, Democracy and Acceptance Intercultural Learning Environmental Concerns World Concerns and the Role of the United Nations

Human Rights, Democracy and Acceptance Human Rights Day Diversity Day Photo Exhibit Celebrating Diversity Anti-racism Education

Intercultural Learning International Student Club First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education New Student Welcome Buddies International School Partnerships

Environmental Concerns Earth Day Community Clean-up Recycling Partners Wetlands Project Tree Planting

World Concerns and the Role of the United Nations Terry Fox Run Community Hampers Students for Change Conference World Poverty Education Disaster Relief Projects

What are the benefits?

Why become an ASPnet school? Support student inquiry and social studies curriculum Practical application of provincial Character and Citizenship Education Active learning about world concerns

Why become an ASPnet school? Making a difference locally and globally Development global citizens for the future Contributing to the development of a peaceful society

UNESCO ASPnet Schools in ASPnet can work towards provincial, national and global accreditation levels

Accreditation Process Provincial Candidate National International

Provincial Candidate Schools Build support and commitment among school community members Integrate UNESCO themes into school curricular and extra-curriculuar projects Build a school culture that reflects UNESCO ideals Build community partnerships Report annual to provincial coordinator

National Accreditation Provide documentation of commitment from school community members 2 years of documented efforts to integrate UNESCO ideals 2 years of documented efforts to build school culture 2 years of documented community collaboration Minimum of 2 years as candidate school Submit 2 years of annual reports via provincial coordinators to national level

International Accreditation Provide documentation of commitment from school community members 2 years of documented efforts to integrate UNESCO ideals 2 years of documented efforts to build school culture 2 years of documented community collaboration Minimum of 2 years at National level Submitted minimum of 2 annual reports via provincial and national coordinators to UNESCO Paris.

Resources to Support ASPnet

Alberta Education Character and Citizenship Education K-12 Social Students Program First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education

John Humphrey Centre Youth Guide to Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (bilingual) “Rights Under the Sun” student summer camp Building World Peace: The Role of Religions and Human Rights International Conference, Edmonton, October 20-22, 06

Canadian Commission for UNESCO Associated Schools website Directory of International ASPnet schools Global connections

Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities K-12 curriculum resources Diversity publications for teachers Becoming the Change We Want to See Conference for student leaders, teachers and community members, Edmonton, June 01-02, 06

ATA DEHR website and ASPnet webpage Inclusive Learning Communities Grants up to $2000 Education is Our Buffalo: A First Nations, Métis and Inuit Resource for Teachers Professional development workshops for teachers

How can your school become involved? List all the relevant school activities Develop a committee of interested teachers and students Complete the UNESCO ASPnet application form Obtain the necessary support from school community members Send application form to J Skytt, Provincial ASPnet Coordinator, ATA

Call Jacqueline Skytt at 1-800-232-7208 or Edmonton area at 447-9400 Questions? Call Jacqueline Skytt at 1-800-232-7208 or Edmonton area at 447-9400