EUDEC
Jul26 - Aug03 2008
About
What is EUDEC?
EUDEC stands for European Democratic Education Conference and is a meeting for people involved in democratic schools and educational projects that seek to promote democracy in schools - whether as students, teachers, parents or staff members. The conference will be
held annually and aims not only to support the exchange of ideas between democratic schools in Europe but also to give interested members of the general public an opportunity
to learn more about such projects.
The inspiration for this meeting comes from IDEC, the International Democratic Education Conference, which has taken place every year since 1993 in a different part of the world, hosted by democratic schools. Many participants from European countries have been complaining for years that they can only participate in IDECs at great cost in time and money, and that it is often completely unaffordable for students. Over time, participants from around the world have begun to discuss the value of additional meetings at a regional level. In August 2006, a group of people from various European countries met at Sands School in England and decided to take on the project of organising a European conference. The idea for EUDEC was born.
When and where will EUDEC take place?
The first EUDEC will be held in August 2008 in Leipzig, Germany. The Education Department of the University of Leipzig will offer its facilities and campus for the conference.
Who is organising EUDEC?
EUDEC 2008 is being hosted by the Free School Leipzig in cooperation with the University of Leipzig, the National Association of Free Alternative Schools in Germany and the Sudbury Initiative Leipzig. Additional support and input is being provided by a European-wide planning group made up of students and educators from schools and organisations throughout Europe, including Sands, Summerhill, IDEN (the International Democratic Education Network), the Phoenix Education Trust (England), Fri Skole (Denmark), and the host of IDEC2005, KRÄTZÄ (Germany).
What can I expect at EUDEC?
We anticipate around 250 participants at the first EUDEC and a conference length of 10 days. The nature of the conference will depend largely on the self-organisation of its participants. Accommodation and catering will be simple in order to keep costs low and make attendance affordable for as many people as possible, especially students. Suggestions for presentations, seminars, workshops, performances, etc. will be gradually organised into a plan, whose development can be followed on the website www.EUDEC2008.org. In addition to these planned events, there will be plenty of time and space available for spontaneous seminars and workshops offered by participants (open schedule).
How and where can I find more information?
For questions, suggestions and registration, please contact Leslie Ocker (tel.: +49-341-926-1877; fax: +49-341-926-1878; email: info@eudec2008.org; postal address: EUDEC2008, Paul-Gruner-Strasse 33, 04107 Leipzig, Germany).
How can I support EUDEC?
The Leipzig organizing committee meets on the second Tuesday of every month and is open for anyone interested. The next meeting for the European-wide planning group will be held in the fall of 2007 in Leipzig. EUDEC 2008 welcomes offers for workshops, seminars, etc. from students, teachers and other members of school communities.
