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4. IB Associations Around the World
Associations of IB World Schools
Associations of IB World Schools are groupings of IB World Schools who come together in order to
provide mutual support in a variety of ways and who have been recognized by the International
Baccalaureate Organization (IB). These associations are organized in various ways, sizes and
constituencies, depending on their local circumstances and provide a forum for school collaboration,
hold periodic meetings and share best practices among members.
The IB works closely with the recognized associations of IB World Schools who play a key role in
supporting IB World Schools. Much like IB World Schools themselves, each association is an
independent entity that is not run or managed by the IB but may choose to formalize its relationship
with the IB, provided it meets certain criteria, by means of a recognition agreement and licence.
Associations can be an indispensable resource for schools discovering the IB for the first time, offer a
wealth of IB experience and support, and are often active at district, state or government level raising
awareness of all IB programmes within their area of representation. They may also, working in concert
with their regional IB office, assist in negotiations with governments for acceptance of all IB
programmes and with universities for recognition for the Diploma Programme.
Benefits of being an association of IB World Schools
The IB raises the profile of associations by featuring them on its website, inviting their representatives
to regional meetings, and permitting their use of a specially created logo for use under licence on their
websites and in publicity to denote their status.
Recognized associations have similar rights to IB World Schools in their use of IB materials, but can
attend more IB meetings and have more routes to advice from the IB’s regional offices.
How to become recognized as an association of IB World Schools
Groups of schools who wish to be recognized by the IB as an association must first decide whether they
meet certain criteria, found on the IB website, which they can discuss with their regional office.
Recognized associations are situated throughout the world in all three regions.
In addition to recognized associations, there are many other formal and informal groups, coalitions
and loose networks of IB World Schools at work in many areas of the world that are not recognized by
the IB as associations. This may be because they are newly formed or that they do not yet meet the
recognition criteria. The IB criterion that they are an official entity may make recognition difficult in
some countries where the rules of association prevent this.
518 | ib world schools yearbook 2012