The EEC - a missed opportunity, but the food was great!
During May 25-30th about 150 education activists from across Europe and beyond met at the Ruhr University in Bochum (Germany) for the "European Education Congress".
The program was filled with about 30 workshops and discussion rounds on various partly very interesting topics. Some notes taken during the sessions have been uploaded. They can be accessed here.
Generally the atmosphere was very pleasent, I had many good conversations and met interesting people.
Was the whole thing a success?
That depends very much on the expectations one had. For those who wanted a platform to exchange views, get to know people and network on an individual level, this "congress" surely was a great opportunity.
Personally I had different expectations.
Here a collection of some aspects:
Criticism:
- A lot of energy and resources were put into enabling people from very far away to also participate. Some even came from Indonesia, Nepal, the Kosovo, Turkey or Croatia.
Therefore the EEC had great potential and was an opportunity to create a basis for future co-ordination and co-operation within a stronger international network. Only few seemed to realize this during the week.
This was reflected pretty well during the final round of comments on the last day where many said they had a great time and explicitly thanked the "kitchen crew" (and "Food not Bombs" really deserved it! :)). But generally I had the impression that many only came to have an enjoyable week, instead of working on something specific that lasts beyond the "congress" (except for the initiative to create a new online networking platform).
- Although it was good to learn that bigger actions are being prepared in Croatia for June 16th and that people are also getting organized in Nepal and Indonesia for the "Global Wave of Action for Education", we didn't manage to all get together and co-ordinate something together.
For example details on a "worldwide press release" for the "day of united symbolic action" were not discussed.
Positive aspects:
- Nevertheless we did begin to collect points for a "joint statement" during the second last day: soon to be published and open for discussion!
- I had the impression that a lot of networking was done on the individual level. For example groups in Bulgaria and Croatia are much closer now after the EEC.
- Workshops on the situation of education activist movements and the regional education systems were surely an enrichment for all who participated. Inputs were given on the situation in Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Greece, Indonesia, Nepal and Taiwan.
==> A booklet was made presenting the situation of some education systems and the local movements around the world. Feel free to download and distribute it.
- A lot of energy was focussed by some individuals to create a new networking platform for education activist movements worldwide. I think this really has potential and the people working on it seem very motivated. Updates on this will be announced on the mailing list soon as well.
- More people know about the "global wave" now and might be inspired to join the efforts on the global level.
Conclusion:
The EEC was interesting and enjoyable as long as it lasted, but unfortunately not all the potential was used to help strengthen the network between groups and activists internationally. Furthermore the opportunity to discuss, co-ordinate and prepare the "global wave of action" together was missed as well. Only in smaller rounds activists began to discuss it.
Therefore more work needs to be done online now! So let's all get together, decide on a "united symbol", create a "joint statement" and "worldwide press-release", as well as get ready for the "day of united symbolic action" on June 16th.
In August or September people want to meet in Barcelona to reflect on this week.
I want to thank all participants, especially those who travelled from far away and under great sacrifice to join.
~ one world - one struggle ~
