UNESCO Affiliation in Nicaragua

Las Marias Holistic Education Center

On Nov. 19, 2010, school year ended with a high note at Dianova’s Las Marias Holistic Education Center for the official awarding of the certificate of affiliation to UNESCO’s Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet)   The ceremony was attended by the representative of the Nicaraguan Commission for UNESCO, Ms. Claudia Valle, who spoke in glowing terms during her brief address to the public, emphasizing the efforts made by Las Marias’ teachers, management staff and students. She mentioned that several projects were under way, including “Un pulmón por el futuro”, an environment education and awareness project which objective is to implement initiatives that benefit the community.

The project’s various activities include the implementation and maintenance of tree nurseries and woodland and a series of workshops dedicated to help preserve the region’s natural resources and the sowing/harvesting cycle. An ecological theme park is soon to open in the rural areas of Santa Teresa municipality, in the surroundings of Las Marias center.
The UNESCO’s Associated Schools Project Network is composed of schools considered to be genuine “innovation centers, committed to promoting the scholastic ideals and objectives of UNESCO in their respective communities.

For Dianova Las Marias, being a UNESCO’s associated school entails conducting a variety of pilot projects which focus on developing innovative educational approaches that reinforce cultural, caring and academic objectives. Follow-up and evaluation reports will be transmitted to UNESCO on a yearly basis.

After being handed the official certificate, which was sent from the organization’s headquarters in Paris (France), the president of the Dianova Nicaragua foundation, Ms. Nejama Bergman delivered a short speech, followed by festivities. Several local medias and the national press attended the event.

“Since the process began for Dianova’s Las Marias Center to affiliate UNESCO’s associated school network, there have been many changes, including advances in environmental protection issues, the proper use of land, etc. This helps strengthen the center in its new role”.

Claudia Valle (Representative of the Nicaraguan Commission for UNESCO)

UNESCO’s web site
Dianova in Nicaragua