The global K-12 Educators’ official digital platform resource library
Our Purpose, Mission, Vision and Mandate
Purpose
FLiAP's Purpose is to globally disseminate K-12 STEM-prepared education to anyone with an Internet connection (their library card).
Mission
FLiAP's Mission is to ensure that all students, especially female students, will have access to a global education that will empower their generation, prepare future leaders in all professions, close the gender gap and globally change the status quo of women.
To achieve FLiAP's Mission requires new and bold global approaches, with global resources available to all, to close the gender gap.
Vision
FLiAP’s Vision is to provide, via a web-enabled platform, a comprehensive one-stop digital resource filled with information, resources, services, and tools that can be accessed, downloaded, contributed to and shared, and that is focused on preparing all girls with the confidence, courage, knowledge and skills to overcome the conscious and unconscious biases preventing gender equity and equality in life, education and ultimately the workplace.
Mandate
FLiAP's Mandate is to educate and to bring all the parties together as early as possible (starting in Kindergarten and progressing through Secondary School), so as to enable the change in the status quo of the next generations of women as soon as possible.
FLiAP Introductory Booklet
Click on the image or on the title and download the Booklet. Read it between meetings or calls or just take a work break #8211; it will only take a few minutes. If you are moved and wonder if we can really close the gender gap in two generations, then come back, read through the whole "About FLiAP" section, examine the rest of the site and then contact Margaret Torrance. Working together we can do it. You can actually make a difference.
FLiAP Overview
Click on the image or on the title and download the print version. Included is a FLiAP Overview in a scroll version. To fully understand FLiAP, review this whole section (menu on the right).
Education and Business must work together for the girls to benefit
At the core, we have the K-12 educators (teachers, guidance counsellors, Principals, tutors…) and their supporting institutions, ministries and programs. But, to change the status quo of the next generation of women and achieve gender equality, we must prepare and help the educators. And it is time that the educators and the business world communicate, build relationships and work together. We are beginning the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and we must recognize, address and enhance opportunities for girls, and especially in subject areas traditionally thought of as domains for men #8211; the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Current and future jobs are demanding ever more and more STEM knowledge and leadership skills. The educators must be aware of the career opportunities available today, but mostly tomorrow and prepare the girls for them.
FLiAP is all about the girls.
It’s about dispelling the perceptions, the stereotypes, and the conscious and unconscious biases that are holding them back. This starts with educating the educators so they no longer continue reinforcing the biases, and allowing the business community to help. Big business understands the benefits of having women in the workforce, in the executive positions and on the Boards of Directors. Many companies are identifying female talent as a key feature of future workforce strategy, are promoting gender equality, and are recognizing gender biases. The biases start very early – studies show a major difference between the ages of 5 and 6 years.
Girls on their own will not become aware of their educational options, career choices and leadership opportunities. The status quo of women has not changed – although some will argue it is regressing. For it to change, the enablers must change. FLiAP is providing the resources to help the enablers dispel perceptions and showcase realities that can exist for girls.
An Internet connection is your Library Card
Think of FLiAP as a one-stop interactive global library that as long as you have a library card – as in an internet connection – you will have the tools you need to educate and prepare yourselves to teach and empower your girls.
Picture teachers who:
- covertly instruct their girls (those forbidden an education) in small secret rooms as they open up the world to them
- have limited budgets and not enough time or money to learn what is happening outside their local neighbourhoods or what is needed to prepare their girls for their future careers anywhere in the world
- in the best private schools are looking for global enrichment material to their already rich curriculums and exchanging concepts, experiences, ideas… with those who are not as fortunate
- have challenges and want to reach out to discuss and learn from others who have similar challenges
- want to help those in need and even donate materials they no longer require
- want to collaborate with other teachers with similar challenges and exchange ideas
Picture teachers who can:
- reach out to the business community and receive advice, assistance, mentors, information, real career resources, employment, grants, supplies…
- build relationships with the business communities – covertly if necessary
- be taught by the business communities
- learn from their experience, creativity and failures
- have hope when all they hear is “No, we/you can’t.”
It’s all about the girls and the educators must start early. They need awareness, assistance and tools to:
- Overcome unconscious biases
- Change attitudes towards Math and Sciences
- Promote leadership development and empowerment
- Introduce and prepare girls for non-traditional, under-represented and future careers
- Access and utilize resources: information, services and tools
- Develop and grow a platform for the communication and exchange of ideas, successes, failures...
- Advance gender parity and inclusiveness within all its diversity.
Through its robust platform, FLiAP exposes educators to what is needed to empower the girls and prepare them for leadership roles in all career options and opportunities through global insights, collaborations, relationship building, educational materials, curriculums, exchanging ideas, discovering creative solutions, assisting and supporting each other… all leading to a global change in the status quo of the next generation of women.
Acronyms for organizations that are globally working in education and gender equality
- UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations)
- UNGEI (United Nations Girls Education Initiative)
- GPE (Global Partnership for Education)
- UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund)
- OECD - PISA (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)-(Programme for International Students Assessment)
- PISA (Programme for International Students Assessment)
- UIS (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
- WEF (World Economic Forum)
- UN SDG (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals)