On Saturday, 20 November 2021, the IB received the Distinguished Service to International Education Award 2021 by the International Schools Association (ISA) during their 70th anniversary event that took place in Geneva, Switzerland. The IB was represented by Dr Ian Hill, former Deputy Director General, and Rémy Lamon, IB World Schools Senior Manager.
ISA was instrumental in the development of the International Baccalaureate Organization and in creating an international programme for middle schools aspiring to meet the needs of middle-level learners in international schools. ISA led the development of a flexible curriculum that promoted the fundamental concepts of intercultural understanding, communication and holistic learning. As a result, the IB adopted and further developed the programme, introduced in 1994 as the Middle Years Programme (MYP).
Since then, the MYP has retained the spirit of collaboration encouraged by the dedicated educators by whom it was conceived. After 20 years of rapid growth and development, the programme was thoroughly reviewed and then re-launched in 2014—ready to meet the needs of a new generation of students, teachers and school communities. While in 2015, the internationally recognized MYP eAssessment was launched to meet the needs of today’s students who are increasingly digitally aware and engaged with technology.
“It is a tremendous honour and pleasure for the IB to receive the Distinguished Service to International Education Award 2021 to celebrate the important role the IB plays around the world for international education. For over 50 years, the IB has offered the best possible international education for students of all backgrounds and from every part of the world, who help to create a better and more peaceful world”, noted Rémy Lamon, IB World Schools Senior Manager.