European Co-operation
in Anthroposophical
Curative Education and Social Therapy
Hasenöhrlstraße 12, 1100
Vienna, Austria
E: renate.chwatal@gmx.at
W: www.ecce.eu
Draft Minutes
ECCE General Meeting 2015
Saturday May 9th– Sunday May 10th ,in Brussels
Centre of Anthroposophy, Rue du Trône 194 Brussels
SATURDAY May 9
4 pm – 6.30 pm
Inclusive Meeting
The new president of ECCE, Ms. Béatrice Cussac de Verteuil opens the inclusive meeting at 4
pm. She gives a warm welcome to the members and the guests from Camphill Jøssåsen
Landsby, Norway (Ms. Astrid Åkra and Ms. Dorine van der Linden), Ms. Vera Simakova from
Blagoe delo, Sverdlovsk in Russia (only on Saturday) and Ms. Anne-Charlotte Cussac from
France and Ms. Nataša Kraus
1.1
The minutes from the last General Meeting are approved.
The topic of this afternoon is ‘building bridges’ and partnerships between institutions
in Europe.
Introductorily partnerships between ECCE and other European organizations as EASPD (for
service providers), Inclusion Europe (for disabled persons and self-advocates) and EDF (advice
organ to EU commission) are explained by Bernard Heldt. He points at the EU Erasmus +
program.
Béatrice Cussac states that in her opinion the force of Anthroposophy is very strong, but it is
difficult to keep the inner impulse in anthroposophic places. To stay alive partnerships in Europe
can help. Organisations can learn from each other.
For Thomas Kraus it is very important to follow up the encounter and the exchange. It is
necessary that ECCE supports this impulse.
Vera Simakova reports that Blagoe delo is included in the local community, but they need
partners, dialogue, exchange and to meet each other. In Russia the biggest problem is the
funding. Vera is convinced that a partnership can only be built up when the necessity of
cooperation is given from both partners. Reflection from outside is inspiring to find new ways.
Their aim of building bridges between Europe and Russia caused that in 2017 the first world
congress will be held in Russia.
Thomas Kraus states that communities are working differently and for example that enthusiasm
of the Russian people can enrich others.
Rigmore Skalholt reports about the Erasmus+ program. Last year 5 people from all over Europe
came to Norway to work there with this exchange program. For such an exchange a lot of
bureaucracy has to be done, but the experience from Norway could help other applicants.
Béatrice Cussac suggests that Norway and the Netherlands could share their experience about
Erasmus+ with other members in the ECCE link; this will help to build up new practices.
Michael Mullan proposes that this important idea about the world wide Congress in 2017 should
be spread to all members. He thinks it would help the Russian organisation team to be in the
public focus.
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Béatrice Cussac is convinced that this kind of publicity also helped our members in Tenerife and
Hungary.
Vera Simakova imagines 3 important parts of exchange: the project research (f. e. how to use
materials in therapeutic way), common art activities (theatre, performances, painting exhibition),
exchange of our products (internet shop).
Michael Dackweiler informs that an internet shop exists already in Germany – but there might be
a link to ECCE. He asks how ECCE could support that members meet each other. It would be
possible to promote this issue in our countries.
Bart Vanmechelen thinks that parents will be interested if ECCE shows them how we support
people with special needs to realise their biographies and to represent themselves in the
European context.
Thomas Kraus tells about the 2 congresses for disabled people in Thailand, where a special
programme for parents and co-workers was offered. This approach should be considered for the
next congress.
Michael Dackweiler is sure that it is necessary that ECCE has to build bridges to parents and to
clients.
It should be investigated about European programs (Bernard Heldt) and following questions
should be worked out: 1. What is a partnership? 2. What do people expect from it?
Béatrice Cussac says that sometimes parents want to be involved (e.g. to prepare festivities), but
co-workers do not always want it.
Bart Vanmechelen is sure that parents have to be involved, they should know what happens in
the institutions. How can ECCE from its far-away position stimulate the awareness about the
importance of this?
Astrid Åkra informs that in Norway is once a year a “parents day” and a weekly information to
parents about the program in the village.
Michael Dackweiler thinks that the client is in the center – the others have to be included.
Michael Mullan suggests to bring energy into the parents! Parents could be asked: “how did your
life change in a positive way because of your child with special needs?”
Thomas Kraus is very happy that a new partnership between Europe and Russia could be
started today.
SUNDAY May 10
9.30 am – 12.30 pm
Organizational part of the General Meeting
This morning Michael Mullan starts with a poem by Martin Buber about “distance and relation”,
(in the annex in english and german language).
With Michael Dackweiler the members reflect on their personal strategies of encounter. Michael
asks to imagine 3 possibilities of encounter; the relationship between humans and the earth,
between humans and the planets (the sun and the moon) and humans and the universe. These
relationships have a dynamic moving quality.
2.
Membership issues
2. 1.
Michael Dackweiler explains the situation of the German “Anthropoi”, which is the new
name for the German association. “Anthropoi Bundesverband” is the part for the institutes
and co-workers, who wants to stabilize the relationship between ECCE and Germany.
Michael Dackweiler and Johannes Denger were asked to represent “Anthropoi
Bundesverband”. Michael Dackweiler (who is not any longer member of the board of
Anthropoi Bundesverband) accepted. Johannes Denger accepted but, due to health
reasons, has to delay his participation.
“Anthropoi Selbsthilfe” is the union for parents and clients, who stepped out of ECCE last
year.
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3.
Committee issues
3.1.
The Committee proposes to appoint Mr. Michael Dackweiler, on behalf of the German
Anthropoi Bundesverband, as a member of the Committee
Outcome of the voting: 9 full members (3 votes per member) and 3 supporting members
(1 vote per member)
30 votes for yes. The Committee is very happy with the accession of Mr. Michael
Dackweiler to the board for 3 years.
3.2.
The Committee proposes to re-appoint Mr. Thomas Kraus as the Secretary of ECCE for
another term of 3 years.
Outcome of the voting: 9 full members (3 votes per member) and 3 supporting members
(1 vote per member)
30 votes for yes. The Committee is very happy with this election of Mr. Thomas Kraus for
another 3 years.
4.
Finances
4.1.
Ann Naeyaert presents the annual report 2014. Bernard Heldt is very thankful that Ann
has done a very good job as a treasurer in the last year. The annual report 2014 is
approved by all present members.
Handicapped people may become ECCE supporting member for a membership fee
of € 2,-/month, as was decided in the General Meeting 2014.
4.2.
Ann presents the draft budget 2015, which is approved by all present members.
The members are informed that to minimize travel costs and time, some decisions by the
Committee may be discussed and made via skype or e-mail. This is according to the
statutes.
5.
Rules and regulations
The Committee proposes to structure the cooperation with the International Council.
Since Rüdiger Grimm is not able to participate in ECCE Committee and General
Meetings, as was agreed years ago. To secure good communication with the Council,
Bart Vanmechelen will represent the Council in the ECCE Meetings. To underline the
importance of a good relationship with the Council, the Committee has prepared a
relevant article in the Rules and Regulations. This is approved by all members who are
present. Amended Rules and regulations in the annex.
6.
European politics and organizations
6.1.
Information from the Medical Section of Spiritual Science about the successor of Dr.
Michaela Glöckler: Dr.Matthias Girke will be appointed as Leader of the Medical Section
from Michaelmas 2016.
Mr. Georg Soldner will take over some of the operational tasks as deputy section leader.
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6.2
Contact with EDF, Inclusion Europe, EASPD and ELIANT
Bernard Heldt gives a short overview about the organisations where ECCE is member.
EASPD, EDF, Inclusion Europe. Inclusion Europe is an (associate) member of ECCE as well.
EDF – Ann Naeyaert took part in the last EDF meeting.
Adrienne Thier will represent ECCE on the next EDF General Meeting in Warsaw May 29-30,
2015. (Peter Lambreghts (wheelchair) whom some of us met during the General Meeting in Iona
(BE) some years ago, is on the board of EDF - is a contact of Bart and Ann).
Inclusion Europe is a member of EDF as well.
Inclusion Europe's President, Maureen Piggot, joined the opening ceremony of the Congress and
two self-advocates participated in the congress. They will report about the Congress on their next
General Meeting on May 22nd, which may bring a stronger cooperation between Inclusion Europe
and ECCE in the future.
Bart Vanmechelen - We can offer other organisations our knowledge in organizing congresses
for people with special needs and working with persons with a learning disability.
Thomas Kraus - In Inclusion Europe the members with a disability have assistance – our people
speak for themselves. He sometimes wonders whether the assistant or the disabled person is
giving his or her opinion.
Beatrice Cussac – During the Congress ‘Çreating Social Art’ she took part on an excursion to the
Flamish Parliament, together with a member from Inclusion Europe in a wheel chair (Soufiane El
Amrani). He argued in favor of more accessibility and inclusion in normal schools. A discussion
arose about this – all participants of this excursion voted on free choice for disabled children and
their parents for an appropriate school.
Some members from EDF and Inclusion Europe joined the Congress and the press conference.
Adrienne Thier reports about the exportability of allowances – a Belgium man with disability lives
in Portugal – every 3 months he has to go home to renew his allowance. This is a complicated
matter. In some countries persons with disability even cannot change the region.
Shadow report – all countries shall ratify the UN-convention, as the European parliament did
already some years ago – persons with multiple complex disabilities must not be forgotten in the
implementation of the convention – good/bad practices. The governments write their reports and
NGO’s of persons with disabilities write their shadow or alternative reports – then the reports are
compared by the UN. Persons with complex needs are mostly forgotten; their advocates are in
general parents and co-workers.
The Committee brought the ECCE contribution to the shadow report of EASPD (Bernard
Heldt/Johannes Denger).
6.3
Reflection on the European congress ‘Creating Social Art’, 6.-9. May 2015, Brussels.
Michael Dackweiler – it was his first ‘Living-in-the-Encounter’ congress and for him it was a very
impressive meeting. It is necessary to strengthen this impulse and to find ways to bring more
spirituality.
Adrienne Thier – Hannes Weigert, brought the content of his lecture in a picture without many
words, comprehensible for everybody.
Matthias Spalinger was very impressed by the Congress. He can compare it with the Congress in
Prag; there were lectures about a theme. He suggests to have more space for spirituality. To his
impression the organisational part was difficult in the beginning.
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Béatrice Cussac has visited the Bozar in a professional context before. She wonders how the
gap between persons with disability and not handicapped people can be bridged.
Ann Naeyaert is convinced that art is speaking for itself.
For Michael Mullan the concert from “Ogni Tanto” was very special. The Lautenbacher
Blaskapelle was a very enthusiastic group. The drummer was not able to speak, but on the
drums he could express himself! Michael very much enjoyed the workgroup; so many people had
the opportunity to speak about their biography. Michael suggests to update, or renew the website
of the Congresses “in der Begegnung leben”.
Bernard Heldt appreciated the art in the congress very much - the concert and theatre were really
beautiful. He wondered whether working groups to discuss topics could have contributed to the
content of the congress.
Thomas Kraus is convinced that the congress is spiritual, creative, and social itself. Every
Congress is different. In Vienna were more lectures with content, in Brussels more art.
7.
PR and public affairs
7.1
Reflection on ECCE-Link, December 2014 and March 2015
The Last ECCE-Links were very appreciated.
In the next ECCE-Link end of May will be reports and pictures about the Congress;
maybe some short impressions from different countries.
8.
Reflection and closure of the meeting
Due to the low number of participants in the General Meeting the Committee and
members state that it was not ideal to combine the ECCE General Meeting and the
Congress. On the other side because of this much more members could have had the
chance to experience this special congress. As a contribution to the content the congress
itself has been an excellent opportunity.
The ECCE Committee would be delighted to welcome more parents to the next General
Meeting. In order to optimize your time schedule, date and place of the next GM will be
announced in due time.
The ECCE GM in 2016 could probably be held in Norway, where 50 years Camphill will
be celebrated in several institutes. Can ECCE contribute?
Another possibility may be UK, Scotland, where the situation is difficult –
contact: PaulamariaBlaxland de Lange, John Ralph Camphill Aberdeen.
Béatrice Cussac thanks everybody for participating to this meeting and Thomas and the
Belgium team for organizing this nice congress. She closes the meeting at 12.30 h.

Draft Minutes of ECCE General Meeting 2015
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12 March 2016
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Appendix
Overview of members present and apologies
General Meeting ECCE, May 9th – 10th 2015, Brussels
Present
Austria
- Renate Chwatal
- Michael Mullan
‚Sprachrohr‘ für Menschen in anthroposophisch orientierten Lebens-Lernstätten (PO)
PlatO (IC)
Belgium
- Ann Naeyaert
- Adrienne Thier
- Bart Vanmechelen
Michaëlis vzw (IC)
(CM / S)
International Council for Curative Education and Social Therapy
Denmark
- Helle Hansen
Dansk Forbund for Helsepaedagogik og Socialterapi (IC)
France
- Béatrice Cussac
‘Les Ravis’; Association française de parents d'hand.ment. (PO/CM)
Germany
- Thomas Kraus
- Michael Dackweiler
(CM / S)
Anthropoi (IC)
Netherlands
- Bernard Heldt
(S)
Norway
- Rigmor Skålholt
Sosialterapeutisk Forbund (IC)
Switzerland
- Matthias Spalinger
VAHS Verband für anthroposophische Heilpädagogik und Sozialtherapie (IC)
Guests
- Dorine van der Linden
- Astrid Åkra
Camphill Jøssåsen Landsby, Norway
Camphill Jøssåsen Landsby, Norway
Partly
- Vera Simakova
- Nataša Kraus
- Anne-Charlotte Cussac
Blagoe delo, Russia
Prague
France
AM = Associate member ; CM = Committee member ; EC = Executive committee ; IC = Intentional community ;
PO = Parent organisation ; S = Supporting member ; TC = Training centre ; O = Observer
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Apologies
Belgium
- Geert Freyhoff
Inclusion Europe (AM)
Czech Republic
- Anežka Janátová
Spolek pro Lécebnou pedagogiku a sociální terapii v Ceské republice (IC)
Finland
- Hannu Outakivi
Camphill Comm. Sylvia-koti Suomen hoito-ja sosiaalipedagoginen yhdistys ry (IC)
France
- Bernadette Bernier (notified) Mouvement de Pédagogie Curative et de Sociothérapie (IC)
Hungary
- László Jakubinyi
Szimbiózis a Hamonikus Együtt-létért Alapítvány (IC)
Italy
- Elisabetta Zorn (notified)
- Margaretha Fulgosi
- Leonardo Fulgosi
- Elena Nardini (notified)
Antropsofica (PO / IC)
(S)
(S)
Antropsofica
Netherlands
- Pim Blomaard (notified)
- Jan Vogelij
- Ineke Vogelij
- Walter Bosch
Ned. Ver. Antroposofische Zorgaanbieders, sector IZ (IC)
Landelijk Ouder Verbond – LOV (PO)
(S)
(S)
Romania
- Adrian Pintea
- Paun Ionut
- John Byrde (notified)
- Roxana Byrde (notified)
Sweden
- Deborah Ingves
- Marianne Lindström
Federatia de Pedagogia Curativa din Romania (IC)
Casa Rozei
(S)
Individuellt Liv I Gemenskap (PO)
Värna (IC)
Spain / Portugal
- Fidel Ortega Dueñas (notified)
- S. Katarina Grönberg
Switzerland
- Christian Gaegauf
- Susanne Frey (notified)
- Rüdiger Grimm
Federaçao de pedagogia curativa e sócio-terapia em Espanha e Portugal (IC)
Federaçao de pedagogia curativa e sócio-terapia em Espanha e Portugal (IC)
Parentela CH (PO)
Parentela CH (PO / S)
International Council for Curative Education and Social Therapy
United Kingdom
- Paulamaria Blaxland de Lange (notified)
ACESTA (IC)
- Elaine Bradley
The Association of Camphill Communities for Great Britain and Ireland (IC)
- Martin Sturm
The Association of Camphill Communities for Great Britain and Ireland (IC)
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Annex – texts read by Micheal Mullan
Martin Buber Essay, 1950
Distance and Relation
"Man wishes to be confirmed in his being by man, and wishes to have a presence in the being of the other.
The human Person needs confirmation because man as man needs it(…)sent forth from the natural
domain of species into the hazard of the solitary category, surrounded by the air of chaos which came into
being with him, secretly and bashfully he watches for a Yes which allows him to be and which can only
come to him from one human person to another. It is from one man to another that the heavenly bread of
self being is passed.”
Distanz und Beziehung
„In seinem Sein bestätigt will der Mensch durch den Menschen werden und will im Sein des andern eine
Gegenwart haben. Die menschliche Person bedarf der Bestätigung, weil der Mensch als Mensch ihrer
bedarf. [...] aus dem Gattungsreich der Natur ins Wagnis der einsamen Kategorie geschickt, von einem
mitgeborenen Chaos umwittert, schaut er heimlich und scheu nach einem Ja des Sein Dürfens aus, das ihm
nur von menschlicher Person zu menschlicher Person werden kann; einander reichen die Menschen das
Himmelsbrot des Selbstseins.“
The Verse of Rudolf Steiner which stood on the mantlepiece of the meeting room in the Centre of
Anthroposophy, Brussels:
“There are many things around me
In all I see how God of the world will speak to me and all Human Beings.
In my heart, God of the world speaks as well
And he speaks at best when I can love all Humans and all Beings.”
Der Spruch von Rudolf Steiner der auf dem Kaminsims des Sitzungssaal im Zentrum für Anthroposophie
Brüssel stand:
„Um mich leben viele Wesen, um mich sind viele Dinge.
In allen will ich sehen wie Gott der Welt zu mir und allen Menschen sprechen will.
Auch in meinem Herzen, spricht Gott der Welt und spricht am besten
wenn ich lieben kann alle Menschen und alle Wesen.“
Draft Minutes of ECCE General Meeting 2015
Renate Chwatal
12 March 2016
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