Mission and Vision
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) is to support the natural development of the human being from birth to maturity, enabling children to become transforming elements of society leading to a harmonious and peaceful world.
VISION STATEMENT
AMI works to foster the potential of all children. We use our global network and internationally recognised authoritative voice regarding the unique nature of childhood and human development to advocate for the rights and well-being of children. AMI collaborates with humanitarian and government authorities to address social and educational situations where positive change can be effected through developmentally appropriate educational environments. AMI aims to share knowledge respectfully and peacefully, whilst continuing to be the primary source of expertise in the implementation of Montessori philosophy and pedagogy.
AMBITIOUS GOALS: OUR STRATEGIC PLAN
AMI continues its Vision through strategic action items, which have been divided into three ‘core pillars’. These pillars encompass the breadth of work deemed necessary to advance opportunities for children:
LEGACY —The Study of Childhood
CAPACITY — Montessori Education for All Children
OUTREACH — Montessori Education for Social Change
The following sections, titled Legacy, Capacity, and Outreach, explain the pillars and outline specific objectives for the next five years. As a small, not for profit organisation, AMI will be seeking additional funds to help realise the nine ambitious goals outlined in this plan. AMI recognises the important role of all those who share the Vision and Mission and invites everyone to contribute in whatever way they can to help us achieve our goals.
Legacy:
The Study of Childhood
As the legacy of Maria Montessori builds with each generation, the historical importance of her home and workplace in Amsterdam grows in significance, attracting more visitors each year. Contemporary research continues to endorse Montessori’s work, thus encouraging the study and analysis of original archive material. AMI has designed The Maria Montessori House (MMH) to include a Maria Montessori museum, archive and research center, exhibition space (for a contemporary picture of the Montessori movement) and lecture theater to host cutting edge lectures and debates. The museum will give access to Maria Montessori’s study and home as well as a snapshot of her life and global achievements. The MMH will have an archive center displaying original manuscripts and translated works. The archives will also be preserved digitally and made available online. The research center will be an active hub where researchers can draw upon the archives as well as current studies analysing child development and the Montessori method. As the archives, research center, and Maria Montessori’s home and study are made available to more people, the international academic status of AMI will continue to rise and the Montessori pedagogy will be promoted amongst a wider audience.
Capacity
To support as many children as possible there must be an extensive network of teacher training centres, teachers, and schools both in the public and private sectors. The focus of the capacity pillar is to advance this network in both quantity and quality. AMI affiliated training centres award diplomas and certificates to teacher trainers, teachers, and classroom assistants working with children from ages 0 – 12. AMI also affiliates national societies, that promote AMI’s Mission and Vision in their respective countries. The Affiliate’s role generally includes: educating local communities about Montessori, supporting training centres and schools, and offering memberships to AMI through which members are connected globally and kept informed by journals, newsletters, congresses, conferences, and meetings. AMI is also developing open-access online resources for teachers and schools. The AMI Digital website will provide access to Montessori language cards, chart materials and photographs, past issues of the AMI Journal, and more for a minimal purchase price. The planned AMI Online Observation software will help teachers digitally and systematically make observations of children and ensure developmental tracking alongside individual lesson planning, automatically mapping these lessons against the national standards of each country
Outreach:
Montessori Education for Social Change The Outreach pillar represents AMI’s commitment to serve all children and communities within and beyond schools. Educateurs sans Frontières (EsF), is a programme of AMI founded in 1999 by the former AMI President Renilde Montessori to ‘champion the cause of all children and to revisit Montessori principles and practices from the perspective of society at large’. EsF promotes and inspires the formation of unique Montessori-based initiatives that serve diverse populations. Additional outreach activities include advocating for the rights of children amongst leaders and authorities. Outreach also includes educating and impacting wider audiences including parents and families about the Montessori method, practices and principles. To achieve this aim, AMI hosts EsF Assemblies in which participants study the social mission of Maria Montessori and through dynamic exchanges, build platforms for community action.