International Schools Association Brochure 2016

International Schools Association

*UNESCO CONSULTATIVE STATUS

Building for the future


Education is the best instrument to build a better world. Living in peace is achieved by working together and celebrating our cultural diversity and similarity.

International Schools Association *UNESCO CONSULTATIVE STATUS

Welcome to the International Schools Association.

My name is Luis Martinez and as the Chairman of ISA, it is a great honour for me to welcome you to our organization.

Holding a consultative status in the UNESCO, ISA works to promote international and intercultural understanding.

ISA for me is the perfect vessel to communicate the values of peace, freedom, equality, tolerance and also to celebrate the diversity and similarity of the different countries around the world.

As a network made up of over fifty international schools on four continents, we

encourage the teachers and the students to investigate, understand and also promote these values and the perspective of Internationalism as a real way to build a better world.

I have dedicated a large part of my life to teaching in international institutions and this experience allows me to share the importance of internationalism and international education.

If you feel the same way as we do, I invite you to learn more about ISA and I encourage you to become a member of our association.

Thank you for your time and I hope soon to welcome you as a new member of the International Schools Association.

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International Schools Association*UNESCO CONSULTATIVE STATUS

ISAHistory

p. 5

ISAPhilosophy

p. 6

Educationfor Peace

p. 7

Education forSustainability

p. 8

ISA Oral English Exam

p. 9

ISA Social Networks & Technology

p. 10

ISA YLE & Annual

Conference

p. 11

ISASelf-Study

Guide

p. 12

ISABoard

Structure

p. 13

ISAInternational

Humanism Award

p. 14

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UNESCO’s first education seminar, in 1947, was on the theme

of education for international understanding. In 1948, UNESCO

published a radical pamphlet, written by Marie-Therese Maurette,

the then Director of the International School of Geneva, who in

promoting the need for “International-mindedness”, posited that

this was a concept which needed to be “taught rather than caught”.

Among her proposals were: more prominence in atlases to “the world”

as a “concept” rather than over focusing on individual countries; a

new “World History” course; insistence on pupils learning a second

language and participation in some form of community service.

By 1951 a small group of headteachers volunteered to form the

Conference of Internationally Minded Schools. In the same year,

with UNESCO backing together with the support of staff, parents

and governors of the International School of Geneva and the United

Nations International School in New York, the International

Schools Association (ISA) was founded. ISA was the very first

educational,nongovernmental organization (NGO) to have, and

to continue to have, consultative status at UNESCO. ISA became

one of the earliest examples of supranational educative bodies

operating on the stage of global education. By the early 1960’s

there were some 50 self-declared international schools, more than

half of which were ISA members.

“The history of mankind is the

history of ideas”

Ludwig Von Mises

“More prominence in atlases to “the world” as a “concept” rather than over focusing on individual countries”

Marie-Therese Maurette

ISAHistory

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”

Nelson Mandela 5


“The philosophy of the school room in one

generation will be the philosophy of government in

the next”

Abraham Lincoln

ISA works to promote international and intercultural understanding. In so doing the Association espouses a number of values – peace, freedom, equality, tolerance and the celebration of both diversity and similarity – which express for the Association the essential meaning and purpose of multiculturalism and international mindedness.

ISA believes that young people should face the challenges arising from the acceptance of these values and is supportive of all organizations which share its conviction about internationalism, international mindedness and international education in all its forms and wherever it may be found.

ISA objectives are the following:• To further world peace and international understanding through

education.

• To encourage the creation of new international schools.

• To encourage co-operation among international or internationally-minded schools through consultation on teaching and administrative questions.

• To facilitate or undertake the study of educational problems of interest to such schools.

• To nurture interest in national schools of international matters as a means of improving international understanding.

• To publicize the aims and principles of international schools and promote international understanding among national schools.

ISAPhilosophy

6


ISA has members from all over the world, and it’s school network

is very diverse but at the same time very alike. They have schools

on four continents, the celebration of both diversity and similarity

is what expresses ISA’a essential meaning and purpose of

mulitculturalism and international mindedness.

ISA is an advocate and promoter of Education for Peace, which is

a conceptual framework from which schools may devise a program

comprising the transmission of universal values and enduring

attitudes, and the development of skills which will enable ISA

students to become active global citizens. The UN and its agencies

have adopted clear statements concerning human rights and

responsibilities which recognize peace as an essential human

construct. Education as the principal vehicle which will develop

and inculcate school age children with the habit of peace.

The following guiding principles have been taken from the covenants

and agreements produced by the international community over the

last 50 years. They are central to the education for peace program:

Dignity - Equality - Liberty - Justice - Responsibility

Security - Solidarity - Democracy

Schools are encouraged to explore and analyze these principles

within their communities so that they are accepted as the

foundation for building a culture of peace.

“If we are to live together in peace, we

must come to know each other

better”

Lyndon B Johnson

Educationfor Peace

7


“We need to think of the

future and the planet we are

going to leave to our children and

their children”

Kofi Annan

ISA also promotes and supports Education For Sustainability, because it allows every human being to acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary to shape a sustainable future.

For this reason it is necessary to include key sustainable development issues into teaching and learning; for example, climate change, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity, poverty reduction, and sustainable consumption. ISA’s Education for Sustainability Curricula Framework for K-12 guides the teaching and learning

methods that motivate and empower learners to change their behavior and take action for sustainable development. Education for Sustainable Development requires far-reaching changes in the way education is often practiced today. UNESCO is the lead agency for the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014).

“The day will come when nations will be judged

not by their military or economic strength, nor by the splendor of their capital

cities and public buildings, but by the well-being of their peoples:

by their levels of health, nutrition and education; by their opportunities to earn a fair reward for their labours; by their

ability to participate in the decisions that affect their lives; by the respect that is shown for their civil and political liberties;

by the provision that is made for those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged;

and by the protection that is afforded to the growing minds and bodies of their children”

(UNICEF Progress of Nations 1998)

Education forSustainability

8


“Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its

people come from and where they

are going”

Rita Mae Brown

ISA members during the summer of 1994, and Jacqueline McLellan

of Calgary, Canada, discussed the possibility of creating a new set of

oral English examinations. These examinations would emphasize

expressive and fluent communication in English and not simply

the acquisition of grammar and vocabulary.

The exams were used for the first time in Argentina in October

1994 and in Uruguay in 2004. The first examiners were Jacqueline

McLellan and Ruth Toner Murdoch. Grant Paterson joined the

Examining Board in 2002 and helped further to develop and to

refine the syllabus.

Philosophy

These examinations are geared to developing oral communication in

English. Through the narration of literature, through relating their

own experiences, through learning how to organize more formal

presentations, as well as learning ease of impromptu speaking,

candidates will gain many valuable skills. Candidates will build

self-confidence and learn fluency, effective delivery techniques,

and artistic expression of ideas. Personality, confidence, correct

pronunciation, and vocal technique will be strengthened through

this experience.

ISA provides an examination syllabus and a consultant that guides

schools in the correct use of the ISO exam.

ISA Oral English Exam

9


“Facebook was not originally created to be

a company. It was built to

accomplish a social mission to make the world more open and

connected”

Mark Zuckerberg

ISA believes strongly in today’s technologies. Its website, newsletters and social networks are an important part of its association. The ability to communicate to all their members and to learn about all their achievements in real time makes ISA an even stronger network. ISA has over 50 school members on

four continents and the possibility to interact with one another is cultivating and enriching. The rapid evolution of technology is a motivation for ISA because it has a positive impact on the expansion of its international network and broadening the importance of international understanding.

ISA Social Networks & Technology

10


“The good about learning is that

no one can take it away from you”

B.B.King

ISA and its school members share the same values and have the same dedication towards international education.

Every year ISA celebrates a Youth Leadership Encounter where students and teachers from their member schools participate in educational and cultural events. ISA has been the pioneer an a principal advocate of these encounters. All member schools that have participated share rewarding memories. These encounters lead to the creation of knowledge, tolerance, understanding, and last but not least, long-lasting friendships among all participants. The possibility to unite students from different countries and cultures is a positive and enriching experience that students and educators cherish forever. Each year a different school member sponsors the event.

ISA also celebrates during these encounters its Annual Conference which is aimed at educators and students. The conference is always focused on International Education and how it is affected by different global matters that encompass a wide range of topics. The goal of the conference is so that everyone has a better international understanding of life. The Conference is lead by ISA and guest speakers each one an expert in its field.

ISA Youth Leadership Encounters have taken place in many countries here are just a few examples of them.

ISA Youth Leadership Encounter

& Annual Conference

India International School“Global Issues”

SEK Costa Rica“Earth Focus”

Cempaka School Malaysia“Youth Encounter

Expedition”

11


“The United Nations, whose

membership comprises almost all the states in the world, is founded on the principle of

the equal worth of every human

being.”

Kofi Annan

ISA accepts, adheres to and wishes to promote the principles and

values expressed in the United Nations Declaration of Human

Rights adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution

217 A(111) of the 10th of December 1948. For this reason, the

Association developed the Self-Study Guide to help schools define

their understanding of the term “international” in education.

ISA expects that each school which undertakes this Self-Study

Guide will in the same spirit accept these principles and values

and that they will form the underlying basis of its definition of

internationalism.

The Guide offers no preconceived definitions or interpretations of

internationalism or international-mindedness. One fundamental

aspect of the Guide is that it allows a school to speak to and for

itself. Each school may assume genuine ownership of the Guide, of

how it is put into practice and of how to respond to its outcomes.

All schools that would like to become members must apply by

filling out and application that can be found on our website:

www.isaschools.org.

After the application has been studied a ISA representative will

get in contact with the school and review the school’s application.

The Association will act as a consultant and advise the potential

member throughout the selection process.

ISASelf-Study Guide

12


“Commitment is what transforms

a promise into reality”

Abraham Lincoln

The ISA Board is made up of a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary,

Treasurer and 9 other Members. The mission of the ISA Board is to

successfully lead the growth and continuance of the association by

respecting its By-Laws and Statutes.

The Board Members are a group of dedicated individuals that

work as one so that all members of ISA receive the best service.

Every year a Board Meeting is celebrated so that all members can

assist and discuss the matters and concerns of the association. ISA

members are not only institutions but they are the students and

teachers that make it possible for these schools to succeed.

The ISA Board is committed to encourage members and potential

members in ISA’s mission for world peace and international

understanding through international education.

ISA Honorary Members

Ms. Ruth Bonner Dr. Esther Lucas

Mr. John Goodban Mr. Gerard Renaud

Organization, ISA Board Structure

& Honorary Members

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“The mind is like a parachute it

works best when it is open”

14th Dalai Lama

ISA’s International Humanism Award is a philosophy, a state of being, a way of living which consists in a set of universal human values that only active dialogue and shared experience can uncover.

This philosophy has to do with respect for diversity, that is to say, respect for other ethnic groups, other cultures and languages. It has to do with tolerance and openness to others.

The acceptance of others, whose national culture is different from one’s own, is acquired through International Understanding. This leads one to be open to compromise, to fight against prejudice,

racism, isolationism, etc…

International Humanism aims at bringing together different cultures by respecting what makes them different and accentuating what they have in common, their universal human values.

International Humanism leads to peace and harmony

(written by L.E. Timmermans Ex-Board Member of ISA)

A list of International Humanism Awards recipients can be found on the website www.isaschools.org/awards

ISAInternationalHumanism Award

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Main Office

25, Rue Schav

1202 Genèva

[email protected]

Luis Martinez-Zorzo

ISA [email protected]

Mariely Cuevas Zamora

Executive [email protected]

© 2015 ISA All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

International Schools Associationwww.isaschools.org


*UNESCO CONSULTATIVE STATUS

www.isaschools.org

International Schools Association Brochure 2016

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