August 20, 2012

Japanese National Commission for UNESCO

Guidelines for the UNESCO Associated Schools in Japan

Introduction

In order to realize the UNESCO ideals proclaimed in the Constitution of UNESCO (※1), the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet) were founded in 1953 (※2), practicing high-quality education based on the four main study themes as follow:

1)ASPnet and UN priorities,

2)Peace and human rights,

3)Intercultural learning, and

4)Environmental education.

In particular, in Japan, the UNESCO Associated School has been used as a base for the promotion of　education for sustainable development (ESD)(※3) .

These guidelines summarize the matters that are considered important in order for the current UNESCO Associated Schools to be able to further improve their activities and for future prospective schools to be able to plan effective activities(※4).  Using these guidelines as reference material, we hope that the quality of the activities of the UNESCO Associated Schools will be enhanced even more in the future, and furthermore, that the schools will be able to develop as a base for the promotion of education for sustainable development (ESD)(※5).   

The Guidelines for the UNESCO Associated Schools

Key Points as a UNESCO Associated School

The following points are important for the activities of the UNESCO Associated Schools, and therefore it is anticipated that each school will take action bearing these points in mind:

-   Recognize the merits of the other exchange partner schools and mutually learn from one another through the network of UNESCO Associated Schools both domestically and abroad.

-   Endeavor to build an open network through collaboration with such organizations as local social education institutions and NPOs.

-   Widely conduct promotion outside of school and commit to ensuring that our human society attains sustainable development through the activities of UNESCO Associated Schools such as through enhancement and utilization of various types of in-school and out-of-school training.

-   Clearly indicate in the school management policies the efforts to implement the activities of the UNESCO Associated Schools, and enable the school as a whole to implement the activities of the UNESCO Associated Schools institutionally and continuously.

-   Incorporate the UNESCO Associated Schools’ activities into the school’s own evaluation items and endeavor to improve the quality of the activities.

-   Where necessary, while gaining the support and cooperation of higher education institutions such as the member universities of the ASPUnivNet(※6) , work to enhance the activities of the UNESCO Associated Schools.

Key Points as a Base for the Promotion of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

   The following points are important in order for the UNESCO Associated Schools to be able to develop as a base for the promotion of education for sustainable development (ESD), and it is anticipated that each school will take action bearing these points in mind.

-   Clarify the qualities and abilities that the school wishes to foster through education for sustainable development (ESD), and strive to formulate a curriculum with a particular emphasis on a learning process which encourages students to find and resolve problems by themselves or through cooperation with others.

-   Appropriately determine the contents that are to be taught such as through a cross-curricular teaching plan that focuses on  period for integrated studies, and furthermore, strive to devise and improve teaching methods.

-   Endeavor to spread the idea of education for sustainable development (ESD) by working on research and practice, and actively transmit the results as a base for promoting education for sustainable development.

Education for sustainable development (ESD) is education that fosters leaders of a sustainable society, which includes the themes and contents of international understanding, the environment, multiculturalism, human rights, peace, development, and disaster prevention. As such, the themes and contents taken up by education for sustainable development (ESD) are not necessarily new. Instead, by re-thinking these themes anew from the perspective of education for sustainable development (ESD), it is intended that a common goal will be established for the efforts of individual fields, which is, the building of a sustainable society, and to give a clear direction to the development of concrete activities. In addition, by connecting each of the individual activities together, it also becomes possible for existing activities to be further enhanced and improved.

In implementing education for sustainable development (ESD), such requirements as “Development of personality and human nature such as a spirit of self-sufficiency, judgment, and a sense of responsibility” and “Fostering of individuals who can recognize their relationship to others, society, and the natural environment and value the relationships and links” are necessary.

The concept of education for sustainable development (ESD) has been included in the current Basic Plan for the Promotion of Education (formulated in July 2008), and also lays the foundation for the philosophy of the “zest for living” indicated in the Courses of Study (publicly notified in 2008, 2009).

※1 “That since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed. (Preamble to the Constitution of UNESCO) ”
As proclaimed in the preamble to the Constitution of UNESCO, UNESCO was established as a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1946 for the purpose of enhancing international peace and the common welfare of mankind through promoting collaboration and exchange among nations in the fields of education, science, and culture.

※2  Currently, there are more than 9,000 UNESCO Associated Schools in 181 countries in the world forming a worldwide network. The UNESCO Associated Schools aim to share information and experiences and to develop and expand new educational content and methods through exchanges between schools, students and teachers throughout the world using this network. Japan has been working on the activities of the UNESCO Associated Schools since the inauguration of the project. As of August 2012, the number of UNESCO Associated Schools in Japan has increased to 459.

※3  This is in line with the recommendations of the study committee established in the Commission in February 2008. It was commenced as part of Japan’s activities for the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) with UNESCO as its lead agency in 2005.

※4  At present, the nature of the activities of the UNESCO Associated Schools is not such that the activities are required to be conducted according to this guideline.

※5  An activities report is to be submitted to the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO Secretariat once a year.

※6　Network of universities supporting the work of the UNESCO Associated Schools as a partner of the UNESCO Associated Schools.