International Women’s Day

On International Women’s Day, we have been reflecting on how far we have come or perhaps how far we have still to go in ensuring equality for women.

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many achievements and milestones in the ongoing struggle for gender equality. It is also an occasion to think about how far we still have to go, and how we can work together to deliver on the promise of empowerment for women worldwide.


The theme this year is, DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.


Innovation and technology have the potential to drive gender equality forward by breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for women. When harnessed effectively, technology can enhance access to education, healthcare, finance, and political participation for women, helping to bridge the gender gap in these areas.


It is essential that we all work together to promote equitable representation in leadership positions, provide access to training and education in STEM fields, and create safe and supportive spaces for women to express their ideas and concerns.


This week people are meeting in New York from the 6th to the 17th March at the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67).


The theme for CSW67 this year is "innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls." #EmbraceEquity


We have several colleagues attending in person and online and we hope they can facilitate change, as we know from our work that when women support each other incredible things happen.


We are pleased to be represented at the event by Helen Porter, SSF Ambassador, who is attending through a delegation of Soroptimists from the U.K. and our colleague from the Gambia Teachers Union (GTU), Marie Antoinette Corr, is Speaking at an online webinar: Innovative Solutions in Education Delivery to Empower Women and Girls to share the benefits of our partnership work.


  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

The disparity is very real today as for participating in CSW67; some of our colleagues are privileged to attend in person whilst some of our colleagues in the global South can only attend on-line due to the inaccessibility of visas and the high cost of travel and accommodation.


So, we are not surprised to hear that "Gender equality is growing more distant. It’s still ‘300 years away’, says UN secretary general @antonioguterres during his opening speech of #CSW67. Read the article here.


Our work has been focussed on #EducationForAll and #DigitalEquity. Through our Learning Resource Centres and Digital Classrooms we are ensuring that students and their teachers have resources to improve access to learning, training and research and connection across the globe.


Working with our partners in Haiti, Sierra Leone, Nepal and The Gambia we have developed Learning Resource Centres and two digital classrooms in The Gambia, one in Nema Kuta Basic Cycle School and the other in St Martin’s Basic Cycle School Kartong; providing technology services for students, educators and local communities.


  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
Steve Sinnott • March 8, 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.