Change Makers Speak Out challenge – still time to get involved

We are inviting young people to use their creativity to design an ideal day of learning. Please join us and submit artwork and responses by the 1st of March 2023. There is still time to get involved!



Sign up to the Change Makers Challenge


To support this challenge we have made a free resource to support educators in encouraging young people to get involved in shaping the future of education. Young people’s voices matter and they must be heard on the issues that impact their lives, their communities and their world.


Change Makers Resource


This resource encourages discussion on many topics. Asking young people education is, what makes it fair, accessible, fun, and useful, asking questions on a global scale, will generate exciting discussions to open up the possibilities for the future.

 

Our last edition of Engage focused on this question: “Globally are our current education systems and curricula best suited for life in tomorrow’s world?”. Education must transform in order to overcome the barriers to education that we are facing worldwide. The resource points to a range of current discussions about how education can change.

 

All of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals hinge on education to drive their success. Education is at the heart of tackling climate change, poverty, gender equality, equity and inclusion. Our resource offers an introduction to the SDGs, a simple way to introduce these to your students, and why we believe SDG4 is so important.

 

Equity in education is providing the right support for each person, taking into account their needs and circumstances. This depends on fairness, that personal circumstances should not interfere with a person’s potential for achievement. It also depends on inclusion, a standard that applies to everyone in an educational system. Fairness and inclusion are both needed for an education system to work.

 

We have several resources that will help you explore issues that affect equity in education, now and in the future.


  • SSF Human Rights resource: The world I want to live in - This resource serves as a mini-guide to classroom activities which seek to promote human rights education for children and young people in the classroom and to provide a platform for their voices on this issue. Human rights education is one contribution towards a broader human rights project of achieving greater justice and peace in the world.


  • SSF Climate Change resource: 5 ways to make my world better - The fight against climate change begins in the classroom. The effects of climate change is having a growing effect on large numbers of people and their ability to access education. This resource can help you to start discussions in school about climate change and how we can all have a positive impact.


  • SSF Inclusive Learning Environments resource - A curated collection of webinars and resources that are designed to enable a safe and inclusive learning environment for young people. To offer equity in education, the learning environment needs to address issues arising from safety, health and wellness, socioeconomic standing, race, gender, and disability.



You can find all our free resources here: https://www.stevesinnottfoundation.org.uk/resources

 

If you want some inspiration on what young people made in our previous creative challenge on understanding human rights, have a look here.



We also have a free resource to help and inspire you with some creative ideas.

 

After the success of the human rights competition last year we are looking forward to the creative responses from young people to this years creative challenge.


Steve Sinnott • February 4, 2023

UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris

By Ann Beatty • September 25, 2026
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.

Change Starts with a Will: Leave a Legacy That Helps Transform Education

September 7, 2026
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide.  https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.

What happens when creativity, young people, education and community come together?

By Ann Beatty • August 25, 2026
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope.