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General information

"This is our time" is an annual global communications project for secondary schools, initiated for the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet). Organised since 1995, the Time Project celebrates its eight anniversary on 20 November 2003.

Time seeks effective and innovative ways to enable young people from many different cultures and countries to communicate "face to face" on current issues such as tolerance, rights of the child, peace, sustainable development and related topics of global concern.

The concept of 'time' is the leading thread running through all activities. It relates to many fields, such as science, sports, computing, arts and humanities, business, medicine and religion. Within the framework of "This is our Time", Time has a twofold meaning:
1. This is our Time: the scientific phenomenon 'time' is universal and endless
2. This is our Time: personal perception of young people: annual Time-theme
The Time activities relate to either one or both meanings. The Time education kit offers long term and short term, online and offline, global and local activities. A description of the individual activities shows the learning objective, participation, practical information, technical requirements and time line.

Some activities Time offers are the online discussion-forum "Classroom twinning", interactive learning in "Unite the Nations", digital travel in "Time Line", creative thinking in "Design a clock", challenging quiz in "Time Quest" and face to face "Videoconferences".

Time 2003
In 2003 the Time Project is scheduled on 20 November. Time 2003 focusses its activities on 'The intercultural dialogue'. The intercultural dialogue strives to stimulate young citizens representing a wide variety of cultures and countries to get in touch with each other andus, communicate on issues that touch the lives of each and everyone of ysuch as stereotypes, a global culture, sports - does it bring us closer together or drive us further apart? and the influence of TV and movies on the way we perceive things and people.

Learning objective

The Time Project strives to offer students to:
· Learn about and practise the concept of "intercultural learning";
· Develop the notion on time and other contemporary issues such as human rights, sustainable development and the millennium;
· Expand the knowledge on the UN system and UNESCO;
· Share ideas and proposals on their role in contributing to a better world;
· Work together in a fun, innovative way;
· Communicate and co-operate with each other on current world issues by creating a global platform;
· Promote international solidarity by facilitating the participation of schools with few resources in the project.

At the dawn of a new century and millennium, this, indeed, is 'our time' for young people to stand up for their beliefs. By engaging in intercultural dialogue, debating on critical world issues and building partnerships through the Time Project, young people can improve not only their skills in critical thinking, communication and foreign languages but can also gain a heightened awareness of global interdependence.

 

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 six-year history more than 500 schools, organisations, youth groups and communities from 80 countries have participated in Time.

The average age of the students is 12 -19.

Time Headquarters at e-linQ, the Netherlands, as well as the regional home bases, communicate with and support participating schools and organisations.

Practical information

Step 1: Sign up
Participants sign up for the Time Project and receive the activity booklet.


Step 2: Prepare
Participants create their own set of activities and start preparing the activities.


Step 3: Participate
All Time activities come together on one annual project day. On 8 November 2002, the project day takes off at 00:00 UTC (Universal Time Code). 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 chat, discuss, interact, learn and teach.


Step 4: Evaluate
Participants receive an evaluation-sheet and write a short report on their Time Project.


Step 5: Final report 2002 and certificates
Time headquarters and UNESCO ASPnet send certificates of participation to all Time 2002 schools, community groups and organisations. The final report will be made available through the Time website www.timeproject.org

Technical information
"This is our Time" works with modern media such as the WWW Internet, electronic mail, videoconferencing, streaming video and fax. However, we would like to include schools and organisations from as many different countries as possible, both high-tech and low-tech. Therefore, many activities are available through snail mail as well.

Also, Time Headquarters invites schools to contact HQ about possible local networks that might enable schools to communicate through modern media. Some of our international partners might be able to link you to local NGO's.

 

Time Line

June 2003

June - August 2003


September 2003
October 2003

Early November 2003

20 November 2003
November - December 2003
February 2004


  

First call for participation

Start of subscription
Development of Time materials
Development of Virtual Market Place
Second call for participation
Materials sent to participants
Participants start preparations
Try out videoconferences

Time Project Day
Evaluation
Final report Time 2003