Mission & Vision

Mission

ECNAIS supports and pursues the value of civil society initiatives in education as a way to promote a democratic approach to pluralism and to respect parental choice and the freedom of education.

For this, ECNAIS

  1. PROMOTES the interests of all kinds of Independent education, confessional and lay, whose principles conform to those set out in the Universal Declaration of Human rights.
  2. DEVELOPS political statements that promote the understanding of the values of the independent sector, and improve their acceptance and financial support in national legislations.
  3. TARGETS policy makers at an international level by representing the Independent sector at the European Parliament, the European Commission and other international organizations, on matters of common concern, based on an agreed program.
  4. ASSISTS current and potential members in their efforts to promote the understanding of the value of civil society initiatives in education in a plural society.

Object

ECNAIS is a non-political, non-confessional, international association for collaboration between national associations of independent schools in European countries.

ECNAIS ry is registered under Finnish law. Registry nr. 222.864. Address: Fredrikinkatu 61 A, 3 krs., FI-00100 Helsinki, Finland

Its principal activities are:

  • To bring together national associations of independent schools in European countries.
  • To assist its members in promoting understanding of the rights of pluralism in the national systems, of education and of parental choice of education for their children and of the vital role of independent schools in a modern democratic society.
  • To further the interests of all kinds of independent education, confessional and lay, whose principles conform to those set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  • To make agreed representation to the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, the European Commission and other international organizations on matters of joint concern.

To achieve these objects, ECNAIS takes the appropriate actions in accord with the respective needs and opportunities, and within the framework of the European Commission’s and other Programs, when possible.

Membership is open to any national association of independent schools whose statutes accord with the objectives set out above and who’s members, whether subsidized or not by State funds, do not form part of the public sector of education.

Associate or corresponding membership is open to other national or international bodies or associations which share the same objectives.

Aims

In accordance with its statutes, and the decisions made by the Associations, the most important and urgent aims for ECNAIS are:

  • Collaboration between national associations of Independent Schools.
  • To function as a network of National Associations
  • To exchange ideas and information.
  • To hold meetings at which to discuss new initiatives in order to strength the European dimension in independent schools.
  • To provide information about European education and to disseminate more knowledge about different educational systems.
  • To promote participation in international teacher´s training programs.
  • To help mobility and network for teachers, students and educational personnel.
  • To monitor the changing trends towards the Independent Schools in the different European countries.
  • To monitor the political environment with regard to the Independent Schools in European countries.
  • To discuss different educational solutions.
  • To audit both governmental and parliamentary documents.
  • To support EU education organizations.
  • To promote understanding of the rights of pluralism in the national systems of education.
  • To be a Forum for working together to establish a common understanding of freedom of education as well as of parental choice.
  • To illuminate public opinion and the EU instances regarding freedom of education and freedom of parental choice.
  • To promote understanding of the vital role of independent schools in a modern democratic society.
  • To further the interest of all kinds of independent education whose principles conform to those set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  • To be a source of contacts for other European countries (Western, Central and Eastern Europe).
  • To make agreed representation to the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and the European Union authorities.

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