· Web viewRudolf Steiner and Ita Wegman. ... and me as the ONE here. As you can see on the...

European Co-operationin Anthroposophical Curative

Education and Social TherapyHasenöhrlstraße 12, 1100

Vienna, Austriatel. +31 6 5020 4989

[email protected]; www.ecce.eu

Draft minutes ECCE General Meeting 2017

May 18th - 21st 2017Sonnenhof, Obere Gasse 10, Arlesheim, Switzerland

Record of those present and excused: see appendix.

Thursday May 18 th at Sonnenhof

The ECCE president, Mrs. Béatrice Cussac de-Verteuil, opens the meeting and gives a warm welcome to everyone. She thanks our hosts for their efforts and the excellent preparatory work they have done.She welcomes Mr. Holger Wilms, the successor of Michael Dackweiler in Anthropoi and Tennental, Germany.

Dr. Peter Selg (Ita Wegman Institute) “Sonnenhof, origin of Curative Education Course”

Peter Selg describes “the situation in Germany around the beginning of the 20th century, where 70.000 disabled persons were killed because of their disability; Ita Wegman (1876–1943) was aware of that.Sandrew (“the 1st child”) had been brought to the clinic of Ita Wegman; it was very difficult to handle him, because we was autistic and aggressive. Ita Wegman bought an old farm, not with the intention to build a clinic, but to have people work there. And step by step it became “Sonnenhof” in Arlesheim. Her motivation for that was that in the end of the 19th century many persons with handicaps were “not allowed to live”. However, Rudolf Steiner and Ita Wegman were convinced that “every human being has a healthy core” and that these obstacles have a karmic history. With different therapies I.Wegman and R. Steiner supported to overcome these obstacles of life. Ita Wegman was head of the Medical Section at the Goetheanum from 1924 to 1935. She founded a number of hospitals, curative education centers, and therapy centers, and was a central figure in anthroposophical medicine during the first half of the 20th century. She was a very powerful person

Draft Minutes – ECCE General Meeting 2017, May 19-21, at Sonnenhof, Arlesheim, CH 13-5-23 page 1

and encouraged people to found new places. So Karl König wanted to open new places, but she stopped him until staff was trained in the right way. Quality was very important for her. She was a mother figure and she was leading in a modern way.

Many anthroposophic places have been founded by her, like in Jena, Berlin, Zonnehuizen (NL), Czechoslovakia, Iceland and Sweden. In 1926 she brought Werner Pache to Sonnenhof, who was very close to the curative educational impulse, and he was very helpful with the expansion of Sonnenhof. Ita Wegman was full of courage and optimism and was able to listen to problems (social, medical ….) and to give advice. During the war she protected Jewish children; she brought them out of Germany to the Netherlands and to Sonnenhof. Jewish children were accompanied on the Sonnenhof and since it was not foreseeable whether the Germans were going to Switzerland these children were moved to Ticino. These were the beginnings of Motta. After the second world war she wanted to admit traumatized children to Sonnenhof, but the board refused them because those were not children with learning disabilities. For Ita Wegman the war and its consequences were the biggest challenges of that time. She knew what Steiner wanted and thought; she knew his lessons and was at the same time an authentic personality. - Verse from Rudolf Steiner

Spirit triumphant! Flame through the weakness of timid, fainthearted souls! Burn up egoism, kindle compassion, so that selflessness, the livestream of humanity, may flow as the wellspring of spiritual rebirth!”

Frieder Recht (CEO Sonnenhof) Introduction of Sonnenhof

“The Sonnenhof was founded in 1924 as a department of the Ita Wegman Clinic. It is one of the oldest anthroposophical institutions. Rudolf Steiner and Ita Wegman advised the employees at Sonnenhof, where individual children from the Heilpädagogische Kurs lived.Very interesting was the information from Frieder Recht about a tool for biographical work, created and used at Sonnenhof (picture).


The whole presentation from Frieder Recht you will find in enclosure 1

Friday May 19 th

Visit Humanus Haus (Beitenwil, Rubigen)

Verena von Holzen (residential management) introduces the Humanus Haus, where 110 persons with special needs work, and 90 residents live (150 co-workers) with the slogan from Humanus Haus“Work is made for people and not people are made for work” The 2 main tasks are: - to enforce independence- a meaningful life and work

Verena von Holzen states that due to the changing conditions in support from the cantons (states of the Swiss federation) new projects had to be developed, like donators for new buildings, new models in assistance, self-determined life, a project for elder residents, a radio project by young residents. Humanus Haus have started a new pilot project with the canton, called “individual budget”, where residents can decide where, how and with whom they live and work – and they hopefully will have an influence on the project with their experiences. There are also other models of self-determined life, like assistance or living in an own apartment. Therapies like music, eurythmie, speech therapies, baths&wraps are offered.We have a guided tour through this lovely place, which was founded by Hans and Johanna Spalinger in 1973.


Visit Rüttihubelbad (Rüttihubel 29, Walkringen)

Rüttihubelbad consists of -a Social Therapeutic Community, -the Sensorium, - an age- and carehome, a spiritual anthroposophic training center, cultural program,

-a restaurant and hotel.- The Social Therapeutic Community Rüttihubelbad - offers housing and / or workplaces for people with mental impairment. In recognition of their dignity and individuality, they are professionally and mentally accompanied in their home, leisure and workplace within and outside the community. There are two groups of residents, who will be in connection to: oneself – others – the world

Psychiatric persons – are not able to want (missing will)Disabled persons – want to be able (missing skills)Inclusion between these 2 groups takes place in work, arts,

culture and education but separation in residence.

In these workshops (carpentry, candle, arts and creativity, textile, household; gardening, herbs and flowershop; bycicle workshop) the two groups are mixed and they support each other. The program for elder residents encompasses singing, music, cooking, culture, and art groups. - “Sensorium at Rüttihubelbad” – the field of experience on the development of senses according to the ideas of Hugo Kükelhaus, an interactive exhibition with about 70 displays of experience.

- We enjoy biological and regional dinner at the restaurant.

Saturday May 20 th , Sonnenhof

VAHS-inclusive meeting with the title “Ich, Du, Wir” (I, you, we) (Swiss anthroposophic federation for curative education and social therapy)

Create space between individuality and community;Six workshops are held for 90 Swiss residents and co-workers and 30 ECCE members, like a “world-café”, arts and creativity, singing, land-art, theatre group and the ECCE bakery workshop.

Start up with 3 speeches to the conference theme:Draft Minutes – ECCE General Meeting 2017, May 19-21, at Sonnenhof, Arlesheim, CH 13-5-23

page 4

Bart Vanmechelen, board member at the Conference of curative education and social therapy, board member of ECCE.

“As I stand here on this stage before you, I feel quite alone and uncertain. I feel this tension between you ALL, and me as the ONE here. As you can see on the blackboard this is visible in the word AL(L)-ONE, ALONE. Out of this tension I ask for your help to listen carefully, so that we can create together the experiences of this moment. Between you and me the magic happens, when we create together this middle sphere for the WE, which we then have in COMMON, to build a COMMUNITY. This is a COMMON UNITY.In the center of this middle sphere we have what we all like, what is close to our hearts: our values, our aims, our ideals, our work, our friends and family, our home.What we share in common creates our community, but we all look at this from our own perspective. I can draw it like a flower:

When we live together we create this TOGETHERNESS, this COMMUNITY, we REALIZE it: we take CARE for the house, for the meals, we take care for our tasks, for our work and for each other. It is not always easy that we have our own perspective on what we share, our own experiences make us different and unique. We have to REALISE this ourselves - often we need to help one another. By doing it we make it a real own experience, so we become aware of it and we can relate to it. We REALISE what it really means for us, what value it has for us. When we love someone or something, we feel how much we care for him, her or it, we carry this person or it in our heart. And we know what is true, we want it to stay. What is untruthful will go away, we want to let it go, it is not real. And our highest ideals, what we love and dream of, we want to make REAL, we want to make them come TRUE.

Together we can do it, and when it is hard and I think I cannot do it, I know that I still can try and practice.

I can practice to LIVE TRULY and REALIZE who I am.I can practice to FEEL TRULY and REALIZE how I am connected with the world and with others.


I can practice to THINK TRULY and REALIZE what I can offer freely to others in our living and working together.

Today is such a day to practice together in the workgroups. We can paint, bake or sing together, tuning in, listening to the voice of the others and voicing my own point of view or play my own role in the drama group. I wish you a lot of joy, enthusiasm and courage to practice!”

Bart Vanmechelen

Manuel Kern, resident Sonnhalde Gempen, Haus Eichenhof“My biography – past and future of my life”Translation by Adrienne Thier (who joined the GM as

unpaid interpretor)“I am 25 years old, I live at “Eichenhof” and at the moment I am attending a 2 year apprenticeship in the laundry. Before that I lived in another community in a group with 6 other people and we had a lot of activities. I felt well and I got on well with my colleagues and they thought I can get go on well on my own. But I expected more support, therefore the situation made me unsure and unhappy. Because of some changes I got an epileptic seizure, which ended up in hospital. I was disappointed and encouraged that I was there on my own and I came to the psychiatric station together with a violent person. I could not sleep well and I withdraw in my room. When my parents realized the situation they found another place for me to live and I came to Sonnhalde for hospitation. There I had the felling, that this was the right place for me. People of my age, nice with and to me, supportive co-workers, and the place itself is like a village. But again I had an epileptic attack, but that time the support was a different, comprehensive way of reaction. I could stay in the group, which was very supportive to me.

And still today – I know that I can count on someone near me. I am stabilized and I feel sure and much stronger. I can do things in my speed and I don’t feel overestimated. I like to have leisure time together with my colleagues, we make excursions, go to cinema, to dance; but I also can be on my own. 2 years ago we prepared rules for “life and work together”, but we found out that for a life in harmony we don’t need any rules anymore.Now I am strong and I found my dream – to work in the laundry where I can develop myself.”

Barbara Schmitz, Dr. phil., Basel, mother of a resident at Sonnhalde Gempen“A common hike” - 7 aspects of the relationship of individuality and community


“An African proverb reads: ‘If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to get far, go with others.’I do not know how you are, but I often go fast, probably because I think that I can reach the goal faster when I walk on my own. Speed is a train that shapes our society. In Switzerland it is said that who goes fast, usually goes alone. And the proverb confuses that one does not necessarily get by with the individual fast going, because to get far, one should go better with others. Together. In the quotation, therefore, something is said about individuality and community, which I would like to examine in my lecture: Why do you get far when you go together? What makes community at all? What relationship does it have to individuality? What value does it have? And what problems? To answer all these questions, I would like to go on the hike - as the proverb says it - and invite you to come along. On the way we will discover seven aspects of the relationship of individuality and community. In seven short chapters I will introduce a few considerations. Types of community1. The value of individuality2. Problems with the individuality3. Feeling of security, trust4. Solidarity 5. Respect for autonomy6. Different needsThose points apply to us on the hike, on which we have experienced so much together. And everyone can report it in their own individual way. We may have been slower than if we had left alone. But, as the African proverb has predicted at the outset, we have come a long way further than we could have come alone. We have been able to experience how much it means that we could be together with others; Security, trust, respect, autonomy and solidarity. We have learned a lot about what it means to be a human being. We'd like to go back together. On the next hike we will experience new things - and new problems will arise. But we are not alone to solve them. In this spirit I wish you and us today and in the future many common hikes.”

After the different workshops, experiences were shared between all participants.

ECCE lectures followed:

Bart Vanmechelen “the image of men” – ECCE board


“It is not easy to tell you in a short moment what the image of man is that inspires us in our work in curative education and social therapy.This is because of the nature of this image. In fact, the image is an aid, a tool, to realize what is happening in the development of a human being. So, it is more an act of imagining, of building a bridge towards true understanding, true knowledge of the becoming of a human being.

And it is not merely a fixed picture or a scheme to depict something we see in the physical world.

This physical world looks solid and we can indeed grasp it, but as we all know, every seven years or so, all physical elements in our body are replaced by new ones. So, in the course of our life, of our development, matter comes and goes to make visible our physical appearance and makes us capable of working and living in the physical world. It comes and goes and we look very different now from when we were born and we have very different capacities now compared to our first years on earth. Yet we know and experience ourselves as one and the same person. Our individual I or spiritual self is the integrating actor who gathers all these different experiences and stages of development into one whole spiritual continuous entity. This is the paradox that we live as human beings: that the everlasting spiritual I is the least visible and that the most visible and tangible physical appearance is the most transient and nondurable. Our work is to support the development of the human being on earth, or better: in this creative tension between heaven and earth and to help each other in overcoming hindrances on this journey.So, on this journey we learn about the world. Through our senses, we gather the richness of sense experiences and bring them to a synthesis, we learn how all experiences are interconnected. This is what happens in our nerves and senses system which has its center in our head. In this way, each of us becomes a reflection of the whole creation, each in our own unique way and we need all individual human beings to fulfil this reflection and to learn to understand the essence of humanity. This makes us very grateful for the life of each human being no matter how challenged he or she is in life. In fact, we can often experience this openness towards the world and towards the relationship with others in people with severe physical constraints. I’ll always remember the father who told me that his son, who cannot speak, listens with such an intensity that the father realizes in the conversation what is the most important in what he has to do in life.Out of our inner experience we want to express ourselves and offer the world our unique contribution. The consequences of


our deeds become part of the lives of all the people we are connected with and become part of the evolution of the

world. This makes every life worth living. In our constitution, this gesture into the world is supported by the limbs and digestive system.And in the middle of this polarity, between head and limbs, lives the pulsating rhythm of the circulation of the blood and the breathing. They continuously intermediate between these opposite tendencies and bring harmony and equilibrium in our lives. Here, close to our heart we carry our highest ideals and most precious values. These heart qualities are strongly developed in both the people who care as well as in the people we care for. The development of these qualities enable a deeper insight, empathy and engagement in our co-working and co-living and make us serve the development of the individual human being as well as humankind.

Bart Vanmechelen

Bernard Heldt “start of ECCE and major developments” - ECCE Vice-PresidentStart of ECCE and major developments – towards Sustainable Inclusionby Bernard Heldt

“Dilution1970 – In a psychiatric institute In The Netherlands, the Willem Arntz Hoeve, was a department Oligofrenia, which means ‘Weakness’, with the name Dennendal. There lived in pavilions persons with learning disabilities. I worked in De Witte Hul, an outside pavilion of Dennendal.The time of persons with learning disabilities was filled with ‘occupational therapy’, which meant for example that 4 disabled persons were digging a pit and half an hour later 4 others came to close that pit again. And so it went on the whole day. They were busy and got tired, that was the main case. Nobody was concerned about their development, only to keep them quiet!

The director of Dennendal, Carl Muller, a psychologist (and anthroposophe, but nobody knew that) was sure this was an inhuman way of handling persons with a disability. They should not live in an institute, but as much as possible in society. How could he accomplish that goal? I knew that director personally in my private life and realized later-on he had studied Rudolf Steiner’s Curative Education Course.


To make a long story short: he propagated the idea of ‘dilution’, which means that also persons without a disability had to live at the grounds of Dennendal and the persons without disabilities must be supported to find their way in society as much as possible.His ideas were so contradictory to the policy of the institute and the national laws at that time, that after complaints of the parents, who were totally not accustomed to those ideas, and big problems with the board, the military police came and moved all clients to other psychiatric institutes and the board fired most co-workers and that director. This disaster was shameful news in most European newspapers, that persons with a disability were moved away by the military police

with permission of the Dutch minister. The whole process had taken more than 2 years and the boards of other institutes in The Netherlands were shocked and decided to open their institutes more for society. This event changed the culture of most institutes in The Netherlands totally in the 10 years after; in the 80’s of the last century the concept of ‘integration’ was born.

So you may recognize that the idea of ‘dilution’ was an early prelude to the concept of inclusion 36 years later. But you may recognize more:

Let us make another step backwards in time – imagine it is 93 years earlier than 2017, 1924. Rudolf Steiner gives lectures about how to deal with disabled children, if we can see them as persons with an intact individuality just as we all are. He gives the task to society to give them the place they earn, just like all of us. In principle there is no difference between them and us, be it in our physical, etheric or astral body – but not in our individuality, our I. That concept was the time very, very much ahead. We learned 2 evenings ago from Peter Selg how the way of thinking in society at that time was about disabled persons. So it was really the time to found organizations where those children could get the right support to be able to be included in the small communities those institutions were. Nowadays European NGO’s are putting energy to make the idea true, that persons with a disability get the possibility to contribute to society by learning and working at their level, just like us. In Curative Education and Social Therapy this is already 93 years the idea, look at the workshops and ateliers which are developed. So the idea of inclusion started already 93 years ago! And now in 2017 at last the concept is law in the European countries. The story I just told you happened about in the middle of time between 1924 and 2017! Society has changed a lot!

ECCE: Fertilization and pregnancy


It was 1991. As Secretary General of the Dutch Association for Curative Education and Social Therapy (Heilpedagogisch Verbond) I received the request to look for someone who could join the ‘Europe Group’ of the International Council for Curative Education and Social Therapy within the Medical Section of the School of Spiritual Science in Dornach (CH) in order to set up a legal body with the objective to represent persons with special needs and to protect their interests at the European level, from an anthroposophical perspective. This was an advise of Prof. Dr. Bernhard Schloh, legal advisor and staff member at the Council of Ministers of the European Union and also representative of the German parents’ organization at that time named Bundes ElternVereinigung. This request touched me directly. As a child at the primary school I had a strong feeling to support the European unification. My teacher had even spoken about the ‘United States of Europe’. As a former officer of the merchant marine I had developed wide international interests, so I was sure: I want to join the founding of this European NGO myself! That was the fertilization of ECCE.

Pregnancy and birthAnd so Helmut Hanessen, the Secretary General of the German Association for Curative Education and Social Therapy (at that time Verband für Heilpädagogik und Sozialtherapie), me and members of the Europe Group met each other and

pretty soon the Germans asked whether the NGO could be founded in The Netherlands, because ‘there were a lot of initiatives from Germany, a broad international support was necessary.’Helmut and me went to work. Assisted by a good notary the draft articles of association had been drawn up, which of course had to be approved by the International Council in Dornach. And so the European Co-operation in anthroposophical Curative Education and Social Therapy (ECCE) was founded at March 26th 1992 in Zeist, NL. ECCE was born! The first president was Mr. Johannes Denger, secretary of the Council himself.

ECCE represents nowadays through its members (30 umbrella organisations), about 400 organisations of professionals and trainers who work on the basis of anthroposophy and of families of the disabled who have close links to curative education and social therapy. It concerns some 90 000 people in 19 European countries. It has also supporting members.The work performed by its regular and Committee members within the framework of ECCE is done on a voluntary basis without any payment; on average they spend 140 days a year for ECCE.


This year, 2017, the legal registered seat of the ECCE will be moved from the Netherlands to Belgium, according to Belgian law.

What have we done in those 25 years? A very short summarization:

1.To bring curative education and social therapy to the attention of the European Commission

In 1995 and 2002 European Commissioners have given lectures on ECCE congresses in Amsterdam and Strasbourg (European Parliament). In 2008 the head of the Disability Unity of the Directorate General Social Affairs, held a lecture in The Hague (NL) on behalf of the EU Commissioner. All congresses got financial support of the European Commission.ECCE organized in 2008 the 4th European Congress “Living in the Encounter” in The Hague with about 700 participants. Moreover ECCE supports the first world congress for persons with disabilities ‘Making Values Visible’ next September 7–10 in Yekaterinburg, Russia, organized by Thomas Kraus together with an initiative group in Yekaterinburg.In 2015 ECCE launched the project ‘Building Bridges’ (idea of Thomas Kraus) in order to strengthen international partnerships between all members as anthroposophical organizations of community-based services for persons with special needs and parents organizations, to create broader mutual support within our European network. ECCE sees mutual exchange and support as a crucial action to face the social challenges of our time.

2. To represent curative education and social therapy in the European field of NGO ́sIn 1997, ECCE was one of the founders of the European Disability Forum, an

organization in which representatives of National Disability Councils of the European member states and national NGO ́s in the field of disabilities meet and discuss European policy in order to give advises. The EDF is the legal advisory organ of the European Commission.

For its parents associations, ECCE is an associate member of Inclusion Europe. Vice versa Inclusion Europe is an associate member of ECCE.For its national umbrella associations of service providers, ECCE is a member of The European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) since 2008.

3. Support of ECCE members in European programsECCE was the intermediary and legal umbrella organization for


vocational training programs financially supported by the European Union between 1992 and 2007.

4. Contribution to the UN ConventionInclusion Europe and the European Disability Forum organized in the premises of the United Nations buildings listening sessions with disabled people regarding the developments concerning the new UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in which ECCE participated. It was the first time disabled people ever joined meetings in the premises of the United Nations.ECCE focuses on the European development concerning ethical issues. The free will of persons with intellectual disabilities and their rights to choose and make decisions for themselves is a theme that is currently manifesting itself as a paradigm, due to the UN Convention.

In all symposia by ECCE, which occur mostly every year during the General Meeting, European legislation as well as measures coming out of the UN Convention and all other rules, are approached and discussed from an ethical point of view.The statement of ECCE brought about in the congress in the European Parliament in Strasbourg in 2002 can easily be seen behind the vision of the UN Convention. The word inclusion was still not being used:

Mutual adaptation of all citizensEach individual bears a potential for development, which he is willing to make available to society. It is essential that people be given the opportunity to contribute to life, to be asked to commit themselves to what they are good at or able to do, even though someone else may do things better. Integration is not the unilateral fitting-in of the marginalised into existing structures, but the mutual adaptation of all human beings as citizens of a common society.Final report Congress Let’s learn to count on them, Strasbourg 2002

5. Curative Education and Social Therapy is Sustainable Inclusion.As soon as the word inclusion was used, ECCE immediately characterized curative education and social therapy as a model for qualitative and sustainable inclusion. In 2007 an advertisement was presented by ECCE in the European Parliament Magazine, with the preamble:


Sustainable Inclusion. . . . Sustainable Inclusion means an approach that will guarantee a successful and durable setting of education and life for children with learning disabilities. The decisive factor will be a change in the attitude of all citizens towards the respectful recognition and association with individuals with disabilities in a multiform and multicultural society. This is only possible if everyone in society is willing to do his bit. Children with disabilities can become adults with a happy life, if they are surrounded by people who are happy that they are there!Preamble advertisement European Parliament Magazine, 2009

6. ELIANTECCE is one of the initiators of the ELIANT project, European Alliance of Initiatives for Applied Anthroposophy, an alliance of 10 European associations. ELIANT is working to insure that legislative framework conditions are created to safeguard the various aspects of applied anthroposophy, including education, nutrition and agriculture, special needs (curative) education and social therapy, medicine and therapeutic disciplines. The alliance ELIANT aims to exert influence on the EU policy and legislation and handed over 1 million signatures to the European Commission in 2011.

FinallyECCE sees mutual exchange and support as a crucial action to face the social challenges of inclusion. Inclusion actual means a paradigm shift in society, a culture change. It has to do with the attitude and morality of people in a diverse society. Persons with a disability make us aware of human values which cannot be neglected.The essence of the anthroposophical approach is authenticity and awareness of the spiritual being of the person with special needs, as well as an open-minded and unconditional inner cosmic-religious attitude.

I was really touched by the speeches this morning, which showed so clear in practice what is meant by curative education and social therapy. I am really glad to experience Sonnenhof is a real ‘sun garden’!”

Franz Wolfmayr – EASPD, Senior Advisor“the future of handicapped persons in Europe, and what still has to be done”

Mr. Wolfmayr introduces himself and EASPD, the European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities, which represents over 15.000 support services for persons with disabilities across Europe.


“EASPD is a non-profit NGO in the disability sector, which promotes the views of social services and their umbrella associations. There are over 80 million people with disabilities throughout Europe. The main objective of EASPD is to promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities through effective and high-quality service systems. The year 2006 marked a key transition in our work in Brussels. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities provided us and the European institutions with much clearer guidance regarding directions in terms of access to human rights for persons with disabilities. The (UN CRPD) provided answers and established new standards in terms of how society should support persons with disabilities. EASPD brings EU decisions to the countries and implements them.To maximize the benefits of our work in Brussels, we focus our attention on three key pillars: Have an impact on European policy; Stay informed and update our members and partners

regarding the latest developments; Foster innovation at all levels of service provision

throughout Europe.

The UN CRPD marked a shift in how service providers for persons with disabilities should approach their work: away from the previous paternalistic approach towards a human rights-based focus on inclusion, self-directed support and full participation in society. New ways of funding (individualised as personal budgets, vouchers,…) will be implemented in many EU-countries.Article 19 of the UN CRPD establishes equal rights for all persons with disabilities to live in the community, with choices equal to others. State Parties should ensure that:

Persons with disabilities have the opportunity to choose their place of residence and with whom they live with on an equal basis with others.

Persons with disabilities have access to a range of in-home residential and community services, including personal assistance necessary to support living and inclusion in the community rather than isolation or segregation.

Community services and facilities for the general population are available on an equal basis to persons with disabilities and are responsive to their needs.”

The whole presentation from Mr. Wolfmayr you will find in - enclosure no. 2

On that evening ECCE’s silver jubilee was celebrated in Arlesheim at Restaurant “Ochsen”, with a delicious meal,


followed by the “ECCE birthday cake” and Apfelstrudel, which were prepared in the bakery workshop that morning.Before the meal we heard some anecdotes and memories of ECCE by Michael Mullan, Adrienne Thier and Bernard Heldt.

Astrid Åkra has been asked: “What does ECCE bring to the parents?”“First of all it was an honor to get this task. I thought maybe I was a too young member to say something about this theme, since this is my first meeting as a member.

I asked this question to my 16 years old daughter and she answered: “ ECCE is giving good care to persons with disabilities.”

Maybe ECCE by themselves does not give care directly, but ECCE is committed to the rights of disabled persons and the parents and the places where persons with special needs live. I think it is important to stay together, and to share our experiences. I also think it is important to build networks and bridges across the boarders, so that we can use each other’s experience. In the end I will say happy anniversary to ECCE! and now we can look forward to the next 25 years!”

Thereafter Christian Gaegauf shared his thoughts with the participants: “What is the motivation to go ahead with the European Co-operation in Anthroposophical Curative Education and Social Therapy ECCE after 25 years of existence?“I was asked to contribute to this question from the point of view of parents and family members of people with special needs. Since the point of view for ECCE’s future has actually to come from our people in need, I asked my son to give me some of his thoughts.

Just some words about the biography of our son Domenig Christian who is now 35 years old. He went to school at the Sonnenhof in Arlesheim, the origin of the Heilpädagogische Kurs of Rudolf Steiner. After his sojourn in the Sonnenhof residential school in Wengen, we had to “sell” him to an anthroposophical place for adults. In these times he developed a behaving considered as fairly demanding. After two years the institute he lived came to the conclusion that our son was not the kind of client they like. So he was sent to the mental hospital. There the people also didn't considered him as their ideal client. Psychopharmaca didn't help either


to make him bearable. So he was sent back to sender, us parents, with all the best wishes. Luckily we found a place where he stayed some ten years until he wrote by facilitated communication (fc) to my wife: “I have a good idea, I remain at home and I’m going to found a new institute myself”. A clear expression of free choice! This was about two years ago.Since then we went with him through heaven and hell. He is living now on his personal budget in a flat in the same house as we do. He has assistance of two persons and us parents. Just now he is in Leipzig for nine weeks with his personal assistant from Germany. One thing I like to add: our son was considered all the time as a person with mental disabilities. We learnt he's not. The main reason for his crisis was his trauma always to be taken as mentally handicapped.

Furthermore he has the skill to be clairvoyant: a fact which makes life difficult to him, because we "notoriously normal ones" can’t handle very well persons with this skills. These facts led our son in a chaos and drove him crazy. Our son calls himself and persons like him as superficially impaired (original German expression: oberflächenentstellt).Some of his thoughts he wrote us by facilitated communication (fc) of possible tasks for the ECCE to represent the impulse of anthroposophical curative education and social therapy in the society and the professional world you may read in the enclosure.”

Text in German and English - enclosure no. 3

Sunday May 20 st , Sonnenhof – organizational part of the General Meeting

1. Spiritual opening by Michael Mullan -

With a meditation Michael led us to a spiritual journey to our inner being.

“Anthroposophy is a path that gradually reveals the true nature of the human being, and leads the individual from self-knowledge to the spiritual in the world. It is a path of love. At its beginning the path leads through humility and reverence, which together with the study of spiritual literature form. This is the first stage of the meditative path. The next steps include the establishment of attention, equanimity, and a close observation and honouring of the sensory world. Freedom and love are the two big goals of the human beings.


Man has the chance to gain freedom if we bring the will forces into our thinking.A will in the soul appears as a desire, in the mind as a thought. Special devotional attention in the will, in our actions with lightened thoughts - actions towards the world full of care mean love. Will – freedom – love.

2. Contributions by the countries/members

Matthias Spalinger (Switzerland)

“For the Swiss federation (vahs) the main question is the development of the identy of anthroposophy. What does this mean today and how can it be enforced and strengthened? How can young coworkers be awakened for this? In the cooperation with other (non anthroposophic) organisations we can find out - what is similar, what is important for us, what makes us different to other streams.

There are new forms of assistance and work. How can we help to develop these possibilities and keep our identity?In the french part of Switzerland, institutions and schools have problems because anthroposophy is not wished, because of religious prejudices. Institutions employ managers with non anthroposophic background (financial challenges).”

Paulamaria Blaxland-de Lange (UK) ACESTA report from Great Britain and Ireland.

Paulamaria Blaxland-de Lange starts the report with the calendar of the Soul verse of the week, as it seemed very apt for the occasion.She speaks of Siegfried Rudel who passed the threshold last week. He was one of the founding fathers of the Curative Education Movement in Great Britain who with his wife started Peredur.She reports that Ruskin Educational Trust had merged with Sunfield, one of the first Curative Homes in England, which has for many years continued to work without an anthroposophical impulse. This is an important event for our movement. The Ruskin Educational Trust is growing and developing new research, education and models of care. Pericles, where Paulamaria and her husband Simon are active, has purchased a new house in Forest Row with bridging support from parents, inspired by the work of Urtica de Vijfsprong in the Netherlands.


Camphill: despite the serious changes and troubles in Camphill, there are younger people who are wanting to leave this behind them and to see how they can begin to work together. In a recent conference organised by ACESTA on behalf of STAG at Emerson College for Biodynamic Social Farmers and Gardeners both Camphills, CVT places and independent organisations were represented. After a successful and inspiring conference, further work is being carried by a trio of younger gardeners and farmers from Camphill, Ruskin Mill Educational Trust and CVT.ACESTA is active in becoming a lively platform for meetings, conferences and networking.Camphill Scotland is not experiencing the same troubles as the rest of Britain and Ireland and is doing well with many places full and functioning well.There are still difficulties in many places in England and Ireland, but in some areas a new wind has begun to blow with modest developments, a search for new areas of growth and a change of paradigms. The Mount Camphill Community is an example of this in the South of England.

Helle Hansen – Denmark

joined ECCE about 15 years ago, now she would like to withdraw and to give over to younger people. She has been a forster parent and ECCE member for many years. In Denmark there is a parents’ organisation, but it is not an anthroposophic

one. As a co-worker and board of “Herta” she represented Denmark, now Charlotte has been chosen from “Herta” to represent Denmark, but there is no need/interest in a parents’ organisation. “How to make parents organisations active and engaged, and how can we find engaged parents? And how to make ECCE visible?” These could be topics for ECCE professionals.Helle reports that she wrote an article about ECCE in an anthropsophic magazine, but it Denmark a small country, there are not many readers; (in Denmark ECCE is still quite unknown). Denmark is a rich and democratic country with a good life also for handicapped people. Training in Marjatta (biggest anthroposophic place) just started (a university education) and is accepted by the state. Helle’s greatest concern is that Denmark leads the European record of hindering people to be born, and she warned “In 2030 will be no down-syndrom!” She informs about a yearly Scandinavian Nordish Conference with around 400 people, and that some Danish people will come to Russia to the World Congress.


Adrienne Thier, Belgium

Is still “fighting” for an exportability of allowance for disabled people to stay/live in another country. There is an english lawyer in EDF; she will contact her about this matter.

Alexandra Buijsman, The Netherlands

Waldorf schools are increasing (25 % plus) Managers are leading institutions - anthroposophy is disappearing But there are young people who want to work and have this knowledge, laws are changing and there is less money LOV - Dutch anthroposophic family federation (Alexandra is on the board) Alexandra reports that small anthroposophic parents organisations are disappearing, they mix with other parents groups. Therefore LOV decided only to be a platform where people can meet. Research work (prof. Reinders) about older people; there is a meeting next week The Edith Maryon College Training Center is empty now, 5 interested Persons (Alexandra included) have built up a new organisation, with the task to open a new independent traing center. The name of this organisation is SCILLZ (which sounds like skills) and is the abreviation for schooling, inspiration, learning, .... Zonnehuizen, built by Bernard Lievegoed, inspired by

Sonnenhof, broke down financially after 82 years. After that it was taken over by a regular organisation. Alexandra’s dream is to establish a new anthroposophic organisation at that place, an inclusive community. She got many warm reactions to do that, an association with 17 members is founded, but money

is needed. People could buy shares and live there. The name of this group is Azarias; ECCE gives Alexandra the strength to continue.

Fidel Ortega – and Catarina Grönberg (parents), Tenerife


“In Tenerife a paradigm change took place. 2 instititutions, Casa Santa Isabel and Atelier Raphael, Spain and Portugal (different mentalities) where brought together through Social Therapy. This Spanish/Portuguese federation is a constellation with the task to create a field where handicapped people are in the middle. In the South of Europe things are going well, whilst the rest of Europe has a moment of crisis, but we are proud to stand and try to develop every day. In Spain and Portugal are 4 institutions building bridges between each other. Casa Isabel (there was the fire some years ago) is rebuilt now and has new forces.

Every 2 years we are holding conferences for companions, every 2 years for co-workers, and we are working on a parents’ conference. Anthroposophical education is very important (22 trainees will finish in December 17).

ECCE is present in every brochure – this is our way to make ECCE visible. We try to do our best for social therapy; there will be a big festival in Madrid.Gala della lyrics on 20. October 2017 – 20 professional Opera singers will make a festival to support San Juan association – all ECCE members are invited to join.”

Thomas Kraus

“Until now 6 European Congresses took place. The idea were 7 pillars; so the last European Congress is scheduled to take place in Belgrade, Serbia, 31 May-3 June, 2018. This big festival will end up the whole movement “Living in the encounter”, where again more than 600 European participants are expected. Leaflets will be sent out soon.This movement led to congresses all over the world (Europe, Asia, South America).

In September 2017 the 1st World Congress will take place in Yekaterinburg for more than 600 participants. 4 years of preparation in the Ural mountains, Ministries are involved (they unite every month and report back to the Prime Minister), voluntary helpers are trained. People are registering, 140 participants from Germany and many others from all over the world learn about Russia, learn Russian language, getting their visa.....The only problem is the financial one. Due to currency fluctuation of the Russian Rubel the registration fee of € 200,- is today equivalent only € 150,- for the Congress Organisation, which will lead to a large deficit.

3. The Draft minutes General Meeting May 19th–May 22nd, 2016 in Trondheim are approved by the members


4. 1. ECCE Transition to Belgium Law is under process – Bart Vanmechelen

2. Confirmation of the whole board of Committee members by the members

Outcome of the voting: out of 8 supporting members (1 vote)

and 39 out of 13 full members (3 votes per member):

unanimously 47 votes for yes (no abstentions)

5. Financial - Ann Naeyaert

5.1. Ann presents the ECCE Financial and Annual report 2016. She reports that the Committee tries to lower operating costs. Personal Committee meetings are being reduced, or are replaced by skype meetings. Two board members are not delegated by an association; their travel and staying costs are paid by ECCE. To lower costs the auditing of accounts could be made by two independent, voluntary members (Ann suggests two Belgian colleagues working in the accountancy). However, to apply for financial EU-support an official audit report is needed.

unanimously discharge of the Committee for 2016 by the members.

it is agreed to ask the Belgian colleagues for auditing.

5.2 Objectives and results ECCE 1992-2016 (hand-outs are distributed by B. Heldt) 5.3 Presentation of the draft budget 2017

the budget is agreed unanimously

5.4 ECCE Contribution 2018

Paulamaria “we should think about what can we give, and not what we can get out of ECCE. In 1917 people made all efforts to get the movement going. Now, in 2017 we have to stay together - I will help to cover the costs. It needs to be done and it will develop.”

6. Reflection of the meetingDraft Minutes – ECCE General Meeting 2017, May 19-21, at Sonnenhof, Arlesheim, CH 13-5-23

page 22

Bernard Heldt reports that Holger Wilms had to go back to his institute (day of the open door) earlier than expected;

Thomas Kraus – “eight years ago, it was the question what is ECCE for and shall we go on? I got an answer for myself by two important events during the last days:1. in Rüttihubelbad - when after the heavy rain, the Alps showed up in the evening-sun. 2. The letter of Christian’s son - we are united for a group of people not visible, but among us. In the last 4 or 5 years we have achieved a lot.”

Bart Vanmechelen would like to take over the concept of the combination ECCE General Meeting and “inclusive conference” for the next GM.

Fidel Ortega, thanks for this successful meeting; maybe there coulde be more time for every country/questions to have the occasion for dialogue and vision/discussion of each country.

Christian Gaegauf suggests to report about the news in the countries in the beginning of the gathering, to have actual topics to discuss.

Michael Mullan points out that “we have to be concious about the development of personal budget, ‘it could wash our institution on to the rocks’. We have to prepare it together; not to be overruled. A future task for ECCE will be to voice and to strengthen. Strong lobbies are existing. Pim Blomaard is in charge of research, we may ask him for cooperation; the fruits of his work should be distributed in ECCE, f.e. via the ECCE Link.”

Paulamaria thinks that “networking is very important, parents’ organisations are needed and have to be strengthened. We should be active to create meetings for families. We are larger when we stand together, but we have to keep individual identities. We have to find forms to stand together.”

7. Next ECCE General Meeting

Bernardette Bernier invited ECCE to France/Alsace Orbey, Colmar suggested date 10.5. – 13.5.2018.

Mrs. Béatrice Cussac de-Verteuil concludes the meeting. She thanks all participants and what they brought to ECCE. She especially thanks for the


warm and well organized hospitality in Switzerland; she wishes everyone a safe way back home.

Appendix

Overview of members present and apologiesGeneral Meeting ECCE, May 18th – 21st 2017, Arlesheim

Present

Au stria - Renate Chwatal ‚Sprachrohr‘ für Menschen in anthroposophisch orientierten Lebens-Lernstätten (PO) - Michael Mullan PlatO (IC)

Belgium- Ann Naeyaert Michaëlis vzw (IC)- Adrienne Thier (CM / S) joined the GM as unpaid interpretor- Bart Vanmechelen 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) - Anne-Charlotte Cussac (S)- Bernadette Bernier Mouvement de Pédagogie Curative et de Sociothérapie (IC)

Germany- Thomas Kraus (CM / S)

Italy- Elisabetta Zorn Antropsofica (PO / IC)- Elena Nardini Antropsofica (IC)

Netherlands- Bernard Heldt (S)- Alexandra Buijsman (S)- Miguel Balde (S)

Norway- Rigmor Skålholt Sosialterapeutisk Forbund (IC)

Spain / Portugal- Fidel Ortega Dueñas Federaçao de pedagogia curativa e sócio-terapia em Espanha e Portugal (IC)- S. Katarina Grönberg Federaçao de pedagogia curativa e sócio-terapia em Espanha e Portugal (IC)

Switzerland- Christian Gaegauf Parentela CH (PO)- Susanne Frey Parentela CH (PO / S)- Matthias Spalinger VAHS Verband für anthroposophische Heilpäd. und Sozialtherapie (IC)

United Kingdom- Paulamaria Blaxland-de Lange ACESTA (IC)


Guests

Austria- Herta Feichtinger Sprachrohr (IC)

Denmark- Charlotte Stenbæksgaard Hertha Støtteforening (IC)

Germany- Holger Wilms Anthropoi (IC) Italy- Katia Delpiano I Girasoli (IC)

Norway- Dorine van der Linden Camphill Jøssåsen Landsby (IC)- Astrid Åkra Camphill Jøssåsen Landsby (PO)

AM = Associate member ; CM = Committee member ; EC = Executive committee ; IC = Intentional community ; PO = Parent organisation ; S = Supporting member ; TC = Training centre ; O = Observer

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) Hungary- László Jakubinyi Szimbiózis a Hamonikus Együtt-létért Alapítvány (IC)

Italy- Margaretha Fulgosi (S)- Leonardo Fulgosi (S)

Netherlands- Pim Blomaard Ned. Ver. Antroposofische Zorgaanbieders, sector IZ (IC)- Jan Vogelij Landelijk Ouder Verbond – LOV (PO)

- Ineke Vogelij (S)- Walter Bosch (S)

Romania- Adrian Pintea Federatia de Pedagogia Curativa din Romania (IC)- Paun Ionut- John Byrde (notified) Casa Rozei- Roxana Byrde (notified) (S)

Sweden- Deborah Ingves Individuellt Liv I Gemenskap (PO)


United Kingdom- 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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