PRESENTATION OF THE ORGANISATION
The national associations of countries which have recently joined the
European Forum need up-to-date information on the history, objectives,
main activities and principal characteristics of the Forum to be able
to represent the educational bodies of their countries and to members
interested by the European dimension of the administration of
education.
In the last four years, there have been substantial changes which
therefore were not present in the last brochure. These include the
implementation of the statutes of the FORUM and the new organisation
and structure which have been the context for development and extension
to the countries of the South and East, new activities and a more
professional style.
AN HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
1976. Foundation of the European FORUM.
The European Forum on Educational Administration was founded in 1976 at the
annual meeting of the British Educational Management and Administration
Society (BEMAS) to which representatives from Germany, France and
Scandinavia were invited. This meeting gave birth to the idea of
creating a network of interaction, exchanges and reflection on problems
that arose in the Europe of the time in the realm of educational
administration and management. In the years that followed, at the
meetings in Paris (1977), Stockholm (1978) and Frankfurt (1979) the
idea took shape of creating a European FORUM that would meet
periodically to discuss administration problems during an
Intervisitation Programme that would begin in Germany in 1980.This
would be a two-year event that, in time, became the most important
activity of the Forum and defied its development and short history.
The Intervisitation Programme was inspired by similar meetings organised
every four years for Anglophone countries by the Commonwealth Council
for Education Association and the University Council of Educational
Administration of the American universities.
The Forum differs from these programmes by the practical rather than
theoretical aspect of its meetings. The Forum has always sought ways of
establishing a dialogue between researchers and teachers and
administrators who work within and for schools.
1980-1989: Pragmatism and flexibility
During the first ten years of its existence, from 1976, the Forum developed
thanks to the support of personalities from the academic world who had
strong affinities, such as George Baron, Clive Hopes and David Parkes
from the United Kingdom, Charles Toussaint from France, Hermann
Avenarius from Germany, Theo Licket from the Netherlands and Eskil
Stego from Sweden and the six founding national associations (Belgium,
France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom). Spain
joined in 1989. The Forum also established the category of honorary
members for those non-presidents who had made distinguished
contributions to the Forum development. The first such are: Heinz Engel
from Germany and Paul de la Taille from France.
The Forum wished, from the onset, to be both an informal network of
individuals or personalities and a federation of national associations.
In order to communicate better and, above all, to facilitate
decision-making, a Steering Committee which meets twice a year was set
up to: elect the executive bureau and define the objectives, the
programme of activities and the working programme. The mandate of the
president is for a two-year term and the vice-president automatically
succeeds the outgoing president. During this period, the FORUM was
organised on a very pragmatic, flexible and, above all, informal basis.
This rather light structure enabled it to be efficient with limited
resources, thus avoiding the weight of bureaucracy. Because of scarce
resources, activities had to be limited to a strict minimum. During
those years, the amateur aspect of an association that only felt real
twice a year during the meeting of the Steering Committees or once
every two years during the Intervisitation Programmes was often evoked.
This gave rise to serious reflection on the nature and identity of the
FORUM.
This led to a series of activities, such as bi- or trilateral meetings, the
publication of the Newsletter for the European members and an
information bulletin for the Steering Committee, that is slowly
becoming part of the history of the FORUM.
1990-1994: The Strategic Plan
We could define this phase as the institutionalisation, extension and
professionalisation phase of the FORUM. These principles were developed
in the strategic plan which aimed at preserving the specific character
of an informal network, while giving the FORUM a much more professional
profile and structure that would bring it a certain credibility. The
strategic plan (that was defined and developed during the presidencies
of Eskil Stego and David Parkes) foresaw:
Having a legal status and a more stable financial basis, Keeping to the idea of reinforcing the ideal of a Forum and functioning on the
basis of strong and dynamic national associations Creating working relationships with the different European educational associations Adopting a more aggressive and active communication and publications policy Creating international work groups on themes of immediate importance Extending to the countries of the South, taking into account the wishes of the
European Commission and to the countries of Central and Eastern
Europe,taking into account the economic and political changes that have
occurred since 1989
As a result of this policy, the Forum became part of PLEASE, a network of
twelve European non-governmental organisations concerned with the
problems of education. This enabled the FORUM to obtain a regular
subvention from the European Union to plan annual activities on a more
systematic basis. Moreover, the Forum extended to countries of the East
and South. During this period, it extended southwards to Italy and
Portugal, northwards to Norway and Finland and eastwards to Central
Europe and Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Hungary, the Czech Republic,
Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.
This period is important because both
the president Manuel Alvarez (Spain) and the vice-president
Anne Baert (Belgium) belong to a generation that
did not witness the birth of the FORUM and were less aware of the
principles on which it was based.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS
The European Forum on Educational
Administration is an organisation
for the development of ideas for studies and exchange and the promotion of educational administration, for the stimulation and promotion of contacts and the exchange of information among members. promoting the European dimension of education in all the countries of the Union and in those that are not yet Members
The character of the Forum has been and will remain informal. The network
is free from bureaucracy and the hierarchy of national systems. When
members meet within the framework of the Forum's activities their own
professionalism is the focal point with no unnecessary deference to the
interests of their own professional roles, nor the need to represent
their own institutional or national policy.
The Forum's membership covers different levels in the educational system,
ranging from ministry level to the individual. The organisation
provides a link among researchers, trainers, inspector, administrators
and practitioners at institutional, local, regional and national
levels.
From the beginning, the European Forum on Educational Administration and its
individual members have worked for the establishment of national
organisations aimed at developing and representing the area of
knowledge known as "educational administration" in their own countries.
These efforts are an ongoing process, currently focused on countries in
southern and eastern Europe.
The European Forum on Educational Administration is a federation of
national associations. Such national associations have, so far, been
established in twenty countries. The individual members of these
national organisations decide for themselves if they are to be members
of the European Forum and thereby have the right to take part in
different international activities organised by the Forum. Individuals
in countries which have not yet established a national organisation
have direct access to membership in the European Forum.
The European Forum will remain as an open and informal network for
individuals. But two years ago we decided to develop the Forum into a
more "professional" body. The value of informal networks and need for
an organisation for "professionals" do not necessarily exclude one
another. In our view a "professional organisation" is an organisation
of experts (researchers, experienced managers, inspectors, trainers
etc.) who, on the theoretical and practical strength of their expertise
can advise, train and publish as well as protect and promote the
professional interests of educational administrators in Europe. The
quality of such advice, research projects, publications are extremely
important when professional interests are at stake. The development of
an informal network into a more professional organisation is a
long-term project and needs to be consolidated now.
It is especially important that the European Forum adapt the profile of
the organisation to the changed conditions in our surroundings with
special regard to:
promoting the European dimension of education in all the countries of the Union and in those that are not yet Members, an increasing collaboration with other European organisations in the field of education, a greater commitment to meet the needs of the EU and other public or private organisations, giving special attention to the Eastern European countries and their entry into the Union.
Therefore,
in the strategic planning for the future, we will try to find ways to
retain our informal nature while also developing a more professional,
purposeful and organised character.
We will pay special attention to the possibilities of
consolidating the number of member countries developing new international working groups in key areas of mutual concern increasing the body of expertise and extension of consultancy establishing relationships with other European organisations in the educational field creating and distributing a European Journal and joining Internet
AIMS
The European Forum, as an organisation, shall
work towards:
identifying individuals with an interest in educahonal administration who wish to establish and develop contacts within Europe, fFacilitating the exchange of experience, information and research on educational
administration within the European countries concerned, encouraging
and supporfing individuals actively interested in furthering the aims
of the European Forum on Educational Administration, to form national
groups, maintaining
close contacts with other international organisations which are
concerned with the development of educational administration and
facilitating appropriate international actrvities and exchange. Cooperating
in the development of a common culture on the European dimension of
education in all the countries where the FORUM is rooted.
As an organisation the European Forum aims at supporting working groups,
informal networks, professional development at individual,
institutional and national levels, development of management skills and
the production and distribution of documentation.
Activities initiated and carried out by the
European Forum should be characterised by the ambition to
develop a European identity- to think European- and increase the understanding of different educational contexts and systems, increasethe awareness of the diversity of educational systems and also provide
opportunities for the examination and comparison of these systems.
Apart from the informal networks of individuals the European Forum as an organisation shall
in a continuous and systematic way serve as a body of expertise to
motivate and support individuals and/or different interest groups to
work as consultants to different national or international institutions
or bodies, at the European level exert nonpolitical but effective influence on
matters concerning the promotion of research and improved practice in
educational administration areas such as evaluation, quality control,
the selection, training and development of educational leaders at
different levels and the development of institutional management.
ACTIVITIES
Within the European Forum there are three kinds of membership activities
Activities initiated by individual members Activities organised by the National Associations or by other national or international educational bodies. Activities assigned by the European Porum or its Steering Committee
The EFEA functions as a clearing house in regard to the f rst two groups of
activities through its annual publication of the Directory of Members
and through its distribution of invitations to international
conferences, seminars and courses.
The FORUM also acts as a team leader and promoter of the third type of activities:
a) through the National Associations
b) though different committees that are responsible for the acfivities.
Directory of Members
The most important channel of contact includes information on members employment, areas of interest and language abilities.
Individual networks
The main activity within the European Forum so far has been the informal
contacts and netwoks established by individual members. The individual
member makes contacts with colleagues in order to exchange ideas and
experience in areas of mutual interest. Usually the focus is on
educational issues of a contextual nature, on working methods or on
current theoretical debate. The contacts established on the individual
level often result in extended exchanges and study visits including
whole departments.
Individual participation in conferences
Invitations
to conferences are always distributed to all members. Example of such
conferences are the annual meetings of the National Associations,
conferences or seminars arranged by an institution which employs an
European Forum member or by an international organisation.
Participation at such conferences/seminars/-courses is individual. The
European Forum acts as a communication link.
Collective activities for members of the European Forum
The intervisitation Programme
The flagship of the EFEA is the Intervisitation programme which is arranged
every second year. The Programme is planned and organised in one of the
member countries. During the conference week members firstly meet in
order to be informed of and analyse the educational system in the host
country.
The
participants also concentrate their efforts upon a special theme which
has been defined as an area of special interest to study in the host
country, reflecting parallel interests in other countries. The
conference programme consists of study visits, lectures, panel
discussions, and workshops. So far Intervisitation Programmes have
taken place in:
LIST OF INTERVISITATION PROGRAMMES AND PRESIDENTS (DATE,PLACE,THEME,PRESIDENT)
1980 WEST GERMANY (Kassel) ""The Professional Development of the School Administrator in Europe", Peter BROWNING
1982 FRANCE (Grenoble) "The Administration of Education in Europe in a
period offalling rolls and declining resources", Peter BROWNING
1985 THE NETHERLANDS " Autonomy and Central Legislation in Education", Théo LIKET
1987 GREAT BRITAIN (Birmingham) "The Responsive Institution", Hermann AVENARIUS
1989 SWEDEN (Malmo) "Leadership in the Learning Socieh - idea development in Europe", Alain HEBERT
1991 SPAIN (Sitges) "The Politics of Education in Europe: Uniformity and Plurality", Eskil STEGO
1993 WEST GERMANY (Berlin) "Restructuring education after the Breakdown of Socialism", David PARKES
1995 HUNGARY (Budapest) "Subsidiarity,shared responsibilities and local autonomy in education management", Manuel ALVAREZ
1997 NORWAY (Kristiansand) "Participation and Integration of all Youngsters into Socieny through Education", An BAERT
Bi- and Trilateral Activities
These activities are initiated by national members. They are arranged as
seminars, workshops or study visits. Some of the activities are
arranged annually or every second year for the same group of countries
on themes which are of current interest. Such conferences are, for
instance, regularly arranged among the Scandinavian countries and among
Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. Other activities are arranged in
order to illuminate a shared problem and to find suitable forms of
working jointly with or solving the problems in question. There are
many examples of this kind of seminar activity. For instance, members
from Germany and Denmark have met to discuss educational problems in
the borderlands.
Different national groups of members have also, over the years, carried out a
large number of study visits to different European countries. The study
visits are often concerned with the working methods of schools or
institutions in their special context. The participants have many
opportunities of extensive discussion on educational issues with
colleagues.
Study visits are also arranged as exchange programmes between groups of
members. Groups of British school leaders have, for instance,
intervisited with groups of Swedish school leaders.
Activities in support of the National Associations
Sometimes,
the meeting of the Steering Committee takes place in one of the member
countries and its members collaborate in exchange activities with the
Association of the national FORUM which hosts them.
Once a year, the meeting of the Steering Committee can take place in a
member country in order to assist it and take part in its annual
colloquium; for example, taking part in round tables or other
activities in the fields of exchanges and the management of the
educational system.
Exchanges between representatives of different administrations
The European FORUM offers its infrastructure networks to encourage the
exchange of experiences in administration and management between those
responsible for the administrations of the member countries of FORUM.
Hence, there have recently been exchanges between teams of
administrators, directors, inspectors and local heads of Eastern
European countries and those of the European Union.
Group networks
Representatives
throughout the whole educational system are members of the European
Forum. They represent different fields of expertise. It is important
that the European Forum as an organisation safeguards and extends the
unique potential of our membership structure.
In
"co-operating Europe" it is of utmost value that the members are given
the opportunity of exchange experiences, solve problems and develop
competences and skills.
Within the framework of the European Forum cross-border activities or networks
in different spheres of interest will be organised during the coming
years. During 1992 the European Forum initiated such new activities.
Different activity groups will be organised according to the interest
of the members. They can either relate to functions, for example,
school inspection, gender leadership, research in the area of school
improvement, or relate to specipc topics, for example, teacher
evaluation, external support, pedagogical leadership. Such a networking
group will decide in which way cooperation should take place, for
instance, by recurring seminars, computerbased communications or
project work based on the institutions of the group members.
By activating members in this way the European Forum will be able to
function as a clearing house for the different forms of expert
assignments or consultative contributions.
ORGANISATION
The European Forum is a federation of national organisations. Such organisations presently exist in:
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Belarus
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Hungary
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Portugal
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Slovakia
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Norway
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Belgium
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Israel
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Denmark
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Italy
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Netherlands
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Estonia
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Spain
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France
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Ukraine
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Germany
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Latvia
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Sweden
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Lithuania
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Finland
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United Kingdom
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The national organisations are responsible for the way in which members
are affiliated to the European Forum. They serve as agents for
promoting the European Forum on the national level.
The
European Forum is also open for individual membership in a non-member
country until a national organisation has been founded. The growth of
national organisations should take place in a long-term perspective and
with current emphasis on both southern and eastern Europe.
Expert
knowledge and professional background are not the only principles of
recruitment. The individual's interest in contacts with colleagues in
other countries, the exchange of ideas and experiences over frontiers
are essential grounds for membership.
Concerning
future recruitment special attention will be paid to the question of
involving younger colleagues and of interesting more women in the
activities of the European Forum.
Following
the approval of the statutes of the European Forum in 1994, the
Steering Committee defined the functioning of the FORUM according to
the following structures which develop and concretise the basic aspects
of the statutes of the international organisation of the FORUM. The
basic structures are:
The General Assembly
It convenes every two years during the celebration of the Intervisitation programmes. In 1996 it took place in Budapest.
The Steering Committee
It is made up of all the presidents of the member countries, as well as
the Executive Bureau, and meets three times over a period of two years.
The Executive Bureau
It is made up of the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary and the
Treasurer, as well as the heads of the different international
committees and usually meets three times a year.
The Activities Committee/s
It is made up of personalities who have taken part in the life of the
Forum and experts in the specific themes of each committee.
The National Correspondents
They are the representatives of each national association who coordinate its
activities and those of the other countries. For further details see
the table included with the general structure of the FORUM.
The National Organisations
They are responsible for:
recruiting new members to the European Forum.
implementing the decisions of the Steering Committee within their own organisation
and giving continuous information to members about the European Forum
and its activities. providing the basis for the Directory of members appointing a person who will serve as National Correspondent and be responsible
for the contacts between the national organisation and the Steering
Committee of European Forum.
E.F.E.A STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION
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