This is our Time’ is a fast paced, multilingual and intercultural global communications project for elementary and secondary schools, initiated for and developed in cooperation with the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet). The ASPnet flagship project ‘This is our Time’ was originally launched on the occasion to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the UN and UNESCO on 16 November 1995. During a 24 hour online lesson marathon 40 schools from over 20 countries joined in Time activities, exchanged information and learned about and from each other.
The Time Project has evolved from a low key, small scale yet highly interactive project between 40 schools, to a global online network of over 300 dedicated and motivated schools, youth groups and UNESCO clubs.
‘Time’ seeks effective and innovative ways to enable young people from many different cultures and countries to meet each other in the virtual village, interact and communicate “face to face” on current issues such as sustainable environmental issues, to human rights issues, social justice topics and related topics of global concern.
The activities Time offers are the interactive game “Unite the Nations” , “Classroom Twinning – Commentary Writing” , “Model United Nations” , “House of Commons Debates”, The Global Youth Forum a multipoint “show and share Videoconferences” all centred around the topics of a particular year.
The Time Project promotes international cooperation based on sustainability and equality by facilitating the participation of schools with few resources. Participation is free of charge.
Participation
The project is meant to be international – we would like to involve schools, community groups and organisations within all time zones and both hemispheres.
During its 25+ year history tens of thousands of youth from over 1000 schools, organisations, youth groups and communities from 99 countries have participated in Time.
The average age of the students is 10-19.
Time Headquarters in London, Ontario, Canada in partnership with Dr. Wim Didderen in The Netherlands, as well as the Time Project Ambassadors veteran Time Teachers who organize regional home bases, communicate with participating schools and organisations and develop activities.
Practical information
Step 1: Sign up
Email Time Headquarters at timeprojecthq@gmail.com and receive the education kit and registration link .
Step 2: Register
You will be emailed all of the lesson plans and resources are available to you.
Step 3: Study and Prepare
Study the various activities and participants start preparing the activities.
Step 4: Communicate and Book
There are a few administrative forms that need to be filled out depending on the activity you choose. As well some activities like GYF require teachers to email and book video conference appointments with other participating teachers.
Step 5: Participate
This Is Our Time activities come together on one annual project day. The project day takes off at 00:00 UTC (Universal Time Code). Our goal is to have participation from every time zone in the world and to have someone connecting every hour for the full day. At that time, or any other time during the next 24 hours, participants log into the Time website and are online. While carrying out Time activities the participants discuss, interact, learn and teach at the forum.
Step 6: Evaluate
Participants receive an evaluation-sheet and write a short report on their Time Project.
Step 7: Final report
The final report will be made available to participants via email.
Step 8: Recognition
Those schools that submit a final report will receive at Time Project Certificate declaring that their school, their students and their teachers have participated in an UNESCO Flagship Project. If a school participated in Unite the Nations there is also recognition for finishing FIRST and in the top 5. Time Project likes to recognize its participants in many many ways.