This petition is sponsored by the Association Montessori Internationale, an organization dedicated to uphold, propagate and further the pedagogical principles and practice formulated by Dr. Maria Montessori for the full development of the human being. Montessori pedagogical principles are rooted in a social movement intended to champion the cause of all children, in all strata of society, of all races and ethnic backgrounds, within and beyond educational institutions. The Montessori approach offers a broad vision of education as an aid to life. It is designed to help children with their task of inner construction as they grow from childhood to maturity. It succeeds because it draws its principles from the natural development of the child. Its flexibility provides a matrix within which each individual child\'s inner directives freely guide the child toward wholesome growth.

Visit the AMI web site at http://www.montessori-ami.org. Learn more about worldwide Montessori Centenary celebrations at http://www.montessoricentenary.org