Nature of the World Education Fellowship

Founded in 1921, the World Education Fellowship is voluntary and non-partisan, and enjoys the status of a UNESCO non-governmental organisation. It is open to educators, members of associated professions, and to all members of the public who have a common interest in education at all levels. The Fellowship meets biennially in international conferences, publishes books and pamphlets, and, through its national sections, participates in workshops, meetings and developmental projects. The Fellowship does not advocate any dogma; each member is free to put its principles into practice in ways which are best suited to his/her living and working environment.

Principles of the World Education Fellowship

1. The primary purpose of education today is to help all of us to grow as self-respecting, sensitive, confident well-informed, competent and responsible individuals in society and in the world community.
2. People develop these qualities when they live in mutually supportive environments where sharing purposes and problems generates friendliness, commitment and cooperation. Schools should aim to be communities of this kind.
3. Learners should, as early as possible, take responsibility for the management of their own education in association with and support from others. They should be helped to achieve both local involvement and a global perspective.
4. High achievement is best obtained by mobilising personal motivation and creativity within a context of open access to a variety of learning opportunities.
5. Methods of assessment should aim to describe achievement and promote self-esteem.

Activities of the World Education Fellowship

1. Identify and pursue changes in policies and practices to meet the varying individual and shared educational needs of people of all ages.
2. Promote greater social and economic justice and equality through achieving a high standard of education for all groups worldwide.
3. Encourage a balance between an education which nourishes the personal growth of individuals and one which stresses the social responsibility of each to work towards improving the human and physical world environment.
4. Foster educational contacts between all peoples including people from the third world in order to further international understanding and peace.
5. Promote education as a lifelong process for all people, regardless of sex, race, beliefs, economic status or abilities.
6. Encourage cooperative community involvement in clarifying educational goals and undertaking educational programmes.
7. Secure for teachers the training, facilities, opportunities and status they need to be effective, professional people.