How to Use the International Principles of Practice for Educators

CE International has developed the International Principles of Practice for Educators (IPPE) as a comprehensive, human rights-based guide for educators worldwide who teach children from birth to 18 years of age. It is an aspirational document of principles designed to guide educators as they navigate the complexity of their profession and challenges in their daily practice, and as they seek to better serve children, their families, and their communities. The 12 Principles presented in the IPPE are aligned to internationally recognized documents, such as the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and therefore are universally applicable. How the Principles are applied may vary based on the unique circumstances of communities and schools. Each Principle is followed by a series of Elements that illustrate how the principle might be applied. These elements take into account the age of the children being taught as well as the culture and context that surround the educational settings. Although the 12 Principles are truly universal, the Elements are not intended to be followed precisely; rather, they serve as examples that may help to clarify the intent of the Principle. The International Principles of Practice for Educators (IPPE) was previously released as the International Code of Ethics for Educators, and has been revised to place the emphasis on the many ways that educators practice their profession and highlight the principles that can help to steer them.