Republican Congress of UNESCO Associated Schools was held in Ufa

On May 26, the first Congress of UNESCO Associated Schools with international and Russian participation was held in Ufa at Bashkir Institute of Social Technologies.

The Congress became a discussion platform for representatives of ministries and departments of the republic, Yangan-Tau and Toratau geoparks, public organizations, directors, teachers, and students of 39 UNESCO Associated Schools from 14 municipalities of the region. In total, more than 150 people took part in the events of the Congress, which was held in a hybrid format (full-time and online participation).

The Congress was attended by Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Grigory Ordzhonikidze, Executive Secretary of the Commission of the Russian Federation for RF Affairs Nella Pruss, representatives of the Committee of the International Association of Teachers of the Kingdom of Denmark, Moscow Pedagogical University, A.I. Herzen Russian State Pedagogical University, St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation, School No. 334 of the Nevsky District of St. Petersburg and others.

The purpose of the Congress was to determine the primary vectors for the further development of cooperation between the UNESCO Associated Schools of Bashkiria in the implementation of key areas of UNESCO's activities. The participants discussed new projects for the 2021-2022 academic year, the basics of interaction and student engagement in Geopark projects, legal and financial literacy, as well as international cooperation.

The issues of reforming the educational process in the face of modern challenges, the role of education in a culture of peace and tolerance, interaction of the UNESCO associated schools of the republic with other associated schools of UNESCO in Russia and the world and UNESCO Chairs, development of ecological, inclusive education, career guidance were touched upon at the event.

As part of the Congress, a master class on financial culture was organized for students, held as part of the Youth Delphic Games. Specialists of the Yangan-Tau and Toratau geoparks conducted an informative lecture for students, a quiz for the best expert on the natural and cultural heritage of the republic. Besides, teachers of the Bashkir Institute of Social Technologies conducted special projects on the rules of Internet security and mediation.

The Congress participants noted the vital role of UNESCO in the implementation of the 4th goal in the field of sustainable development - ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education, promoting lifelong learning opportunities for everybody and the Education 2030 Framework for Action.