The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) was founded in 1929 by Maria Montessori. AMI is the recognised international authority on Montessori education. During its long history AMI has fostered the growth and development of Montessori programmes and teacher training, and worked to support the development and education of children and young adults in a vast variety of settings throughout the world. AMI is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information (since 1985) and an NGO in operational relations with UNESCO (since 1962).