The UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet) links educational institutions across the world around a common goal: to build the defences of peace in the minds of children and young people. The over 11,500 ASPnet member schools in 182 countries work in support of international understanding, peace, intercultural dialogue, sustainable development and quality education in practice. We would like to implement a network of Waldorf UNESCO Associated Schools to connect the Waldorf UNESCO Associated Schools worldwide, to exchange experiences, knowledge and good practices with schools and communities. You can find a list of Waldorf UNESCO Associated Schools worldwide here.  

Almost three years ago, as part of their voluntary service, Elisabeth Rybak and Paula Kiefer built a kindergarten in Misiones in the rainforest of Argentina. Elisabeth and Paula and other volunteers, who have worked in the kindergarten, continue to their support. They collect donations, run a blog and recently, they made a wonderful film about the kindergarten and the Mbaya-Guaraní culture.

The Guainumbi social therapy facility is located on the outskirts of São Paulo in Brazil. It works with people with disabilities who come from disadvantaged and vulnerable families. Normally, they receive three meals a day and take part in therapeutic workshops such as baking, carpentry, music, theatre, dance and gardening. They also learn reading, writing and arithmetic. The institution started as a small project. Like all schools and community facilities in Brazil, Guainumbi had to close down with the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. Activities and workshops are now as impossible as eating together. So far, we have been able to provide € 15,470 through donations to our appeal, Mitigainge the consequences of the Corona Crisis. This money will enable the families of the people we care for to be provided with food and hygiene supplies for three months. Twice a month packs are distributed to 118 households.

How did Waldorf education come to Cambodia? And how is Waldorf education developing and growing there? In Phnom Penh there is a large international community. As in any other Asian city, a number of English, Hungarians, Australians and Americans work and need care for their small children. And they bring with them thoughts and quite clear ideas about how their children should grow up. So, Waldorf education arrived in Phnom Penh through the interest and activities of some of the mothers in this international community.

In August, the search for fairy tales takes us to the Escuela Caracol Waldorf School in San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala. From there we received the art fairy tale The Great Jocote Tree. Once upon the time, there was a lonely Great Jocote Tree, with no friends. Its leafs left with the wind, the children from town have had already taken and eaten all its sweet fruits. Now, boys and girls weren’t playing anymore among his arms, they wouldn’t tickle his log when climbing to swing from his branches...

"Thanks to your support we could realize many school projects: we have renovated the roof of our school and a handicraft room, we have also finished the room for German lessons.”

In South Africa, the number of Covid-19 cases is increasing rapidly. Nevertheless, the government decided to re-open schools in June, including the Hermanus Waldorf School. The majority of the children who go to Hermanus School come from disadvantaged families in the surrounding townships. The Corona crisis has further increased poverty in these locations. In their August newsletter the team of teachers at Hermanus describe the new daily life at the school in a message to donors who support the school.

The devastating explosions in the port of Beirut on 4th August hit this battered and weakened country hard. Some 5,000 people were injured and at least 135 died and many people are still missing. In recent years, the economic situation in Lebanon has steadily deteriorated. The government is not able to solve substantial problems of infrastructure and supply, while the national currency, the Lebanese pound, is experiencing a sharp depreciation of the exchange rate against the US dollar. Last autumn, demonstrations and unrest expressed the population's anger at the level of political incompetence and corruption, and the unsustainable economic conditions. Beirut is also home to Step Together, a centre for therapeutic education and a social therapy centre. For almost two years there have been no state subsidies for the institution, so it is now completely dependent on donations (as reported in previous newsletters). The facility is located in a part of the city away from the port, and yet…

A little more than three months ago we sent out our appeal for donations in favour of the Waldorf kindergartens and schools that were in need because of the Corona closures. We are extremely grateful for the many donations that have reached us since then. So far, we have received a total of €462,156.69 in donations and grants, of which €262,156.69 from individual donors and €200,000 from foundations. We received the contributions from the foundations at our request, earmarked for the worldwide Waldorf movement. After deducting the donations for emergency education of €53,145 and €2,927 earmarked individual donations, €406,084.69 remain for the worldwide Waldorf School and Waldorf Kindergarten movement. The requests we have already received amount to €1,529,774 from 59 kindergartens and schools in 26 countries (as of 31st July). Due to this situation and the increasing demand, especially in the Latin American countries, which are currently firmly in the grip of the pandemic, it is…

This year's WOW-Day will take place from 29 September to 29 November 2020. We would like to invite you to take part with your event!