Looking back at 2022
As the year draws to a close, we look back at what we have achieved. Sharing this helps us all to see that things do change, it just takes people to take action and support others taking action too.
This video celebrates the work we have done this year, we hope you enjoy it and it gives you hope and inspiration for the future. This post lists the key achievements from the year and a link for you to find out a little more.
The Gambia
- Positive Periods training – providing educators and students with locally sourced materials that are sustainable to make their own pads. Watch our positive periods video.
- Equality and Gender Based Violence training for educators, and our young ambassadors sharing advocacy messages on Gambia TV. Read more.
- Digital Classroom enabling students to access the internet for the first time and benefit from online resources. Read more.
- Cycle to school – providing bicycles for students to ride to school.
- Our CEO Ann Beatty visits our projects and young ambassadors in The Gambia and Sierra Leone.
In St Josephs and St Georges school they shared friendship bracelets as a sign of sisterly solidarity while campaigning for education for all. Read more.
Haiti
- Positive Periods training and sexual health training for students and parents. Read more.
- Mother tongue literacy materials enabling students to learn in their own language.
Cuba
- Positive Periods training.
- Girls education and entrepreneurship training.
- Identity, diversity and activism training. Read more.
Sierra Leone, Malawi and Uganda
- Positive periods and sexual health training.
- Gender-based violence training.
Other projects
- International women’s day - Break the bias.
- Storytelling – our story telling resource is having an impact on refugee’s education whilst they are living in very challenging circumstances, with Care4 Calais. Read more.
- Free resources – we have many new free resources on our website: Inclusive Learning Environments Resource, Human Rights Resource, Change Makers Resource.
- UNESCO – connecting for peace first free UNESCO ASPNET UK virtual conference.
- NEU – NEU and UTU conferences.
- Human rights - we have been following a theme of human rights this year, culminating in our Human Rights Competition – The world I want to live in. See the results here.
- Engage 24 and 25.
Thank you
Finally we would like to thank everyone for your support! We could not do this without you.
Steve Sinnott • December 19, 2022
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.
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.
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.
