Annual conference 2001
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Europe and Home based Education Report from the Meeting at Hes Fes May 2001 About 15 people attended for a variety of reasons; some were home educating in European countries, some were interested in travelling to Europe whilst home educating and others interested in helping home based educators in Europe. After discussing the situation for home based educators in various European countries it was decided that we set up a web site with the details of each countries position on home based education, the legal positions of home based education in European countries and the EEC legal position. Home educators Europe wide can also keep in touch with each other through this site as well as the post (see below) Mike Fortune-wood offered to host this. (This site is it) Some were worried about the security on the Internet so it was decided we would also use the post to keep in touch. Leslie said she would send a report to anyone who wanted it and keep people informed through the post after the meeting. There was some discussion about a Children's Bill of Rights that had has been proposed from Ireland. It was difficult to comment on that specific outline of a children's Bill of Rights. But people felt that any entrenchment in words of 'rights' was opening the door to misinterpretation, omission and state paternalism of our freedoms that should be guaranteed because they are correct not because they are enshrined in law. A solicitor attending the meeting said she would look into the EEC law as it relates to home based education and how EEC law relates to each country's law. There was some discussion about a holding a home based education 'publicity' conference in Paris and in the long term to form a European umbrella group to support home based education all over Europe. The meeting also hoped that in the long term this group could be the start of a wider international support group. But for the time being, the meeting felt we were not yet at a stage to do a conference. Firstly, we should try to get as many European home educators to a meeting (Hes Fes 2002) to discuss the way forward. Leslie said she would look into travel grants for that purpose which she has begun with little luck so far. The meeting was very positive and friendly. And it was pointed out that although Britain at the moment has the most lenient home education laws these could at any time be attack 'to bring them in line with the rest of Europe' and therefore British home educators should not rest on their laurels! If you have information about home based education in Europe or the legal situation in your country or would just like to get in touch here