Training for special needs teachers in The Gambia

The Gambia Teachers’ Union (GTU), through support from the Steve Sinnott Foundation, have deliverd a two-day training on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) for twenty special needs teachers from selected schools in the country. The Union is implementing this activity in partnership with the Special Needs Unit of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.


The Gender Based Violence (GBV) training for teachers was developed through the requests that came from the safe space provided by our Positive Periods programme. The candid conversations between women during these Positive Period sessions highlighted a need to offer training to educators that would enable them to better support the needs of women and girls who are facing gender-based violence and discrimination in schools.


The resulting GBV workshops offering training opportunities for teachers has taken place in The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Guinea Bissau and Haiti. Feedback from these workshops has highlighted a further need to extend this training to special needs teachers. This illustrates perfectly how we work at the Steve Sinnott Foundation. We listen to the people that we work with and support the developments that they identify.



A new GBV workshop has evolved


This new training for special needs teachers on GBV took place in July 2022 at the GTU Secretariat in Kanifing. The main aim was to increase awareness of school related gender-based violence, and improve the participant’s knowledge of the types and extent of GBV and its consequences. The training was also expected to give participants an in-depth understanding of the operational structures of the GTU on trade union and professional matters, as well as empower participants with information and available service providers who will be able to offer a response to the identified cases of GBV.


However it was noted that school related GBV is not the only problem faced by children with disabilities. There have been reports of gender-based violence in and out of the educational settings and some of these acts of violence and violations are targeted at persons with disabilities. As well as experiencing gender-based violence children with disabilities also miss out on education completely.


During his presentation on the Educational Management Information System, Alpha Bah of the Planning Unit at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education observed that 90% of children with disabilities in the developing world do not go to school while the literacy rate for adults with disabilities stands 3%. Mr. Bah further observed the existing challenge of gathering data on persons with disabilities but quickly noted frantic efforts are being done by the Ministry to cover the data gap.


So the workshop aimed to address the lack of awareness about the full extent of the problem faced by children with disabilities, to highlight the problem of GBV and to signpost teachers to what they can do about these issues.


It is thus hoped with such training the narratives for children with disabilities will change for the better.


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Steve Sinnott • August 1, 2022

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.