las marias center to affiliate unesco

Dianova Nicaragua’s Las Marias Center in Poised to Become Affiliated with UNESCO's Associated School Project Network

Nicaragua’s Las Marias center has initiated a process for accreditation by, and affiliation with, UNESCO.

During a recent visit, Mrs Claudia Valle, the Deputy Secretary for the Nicaraguan Cooperation Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), stated: "The Las Marias center meets UNESCO’s requirements and is, therefore, qualified to join the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network".

Since 1953 the Associated Schools Network has committed itself to promoting the ideals of UNESCO by conducting pilot projects which focus on four main themes of study: world concerns and the role of the UN; human rights and democracy; intercultural learning; and environmental concerns. As of today, UNESCO's Associated Schools Project Network includes over 8,000 educational institutions committed to developing quality educational approaches in 177 countries worldwide.

Dianova’s "Las Marias" center is dedicated to providing education and prevention programs to 320 children and adolescents from low-income families, coming from every region of Nicaragua. As was explained by Ninoska Mejía of the Dianova Nicaragua Communication Department when it was first decided to initiate the process of UNESCO accreditation, "since the school was first created it has been committed to promoting environmental protection and respect for natural resources, and, for this reason, the center will be presented to UNESCO, and accreditation will be applied for, based on the theme of The Environment”
 
After joining the network, the center will have the opportunity to intensify contacts with other schools in Nicaragua and elsewhere, while promoting the sharing and circulation of knowledge about environmental issues.

Dianova's programs of social commitment began in Nicaragua in 1986 with the establishment of rehabilitation programs for substance abusers. Since 1998, Dianova Nicaragua has been offering a prevention-oriented educational program. This program addresses the needs of children and adolescents who are at-risk for a number of abuses in Nicaraguan society outside of the school, including exploitation at work, addictions and a variety of types of violence.