Nr. 17 - July 2016Published by European Co-operation in

Anthroposophical Curative Education and Social TherapyHasenöhrlstraße 12, 1100 Vienna, Austria

tel. +31 6 5020 4989; info@ecce.eu; Editors: B. Heldt, T. Kraus, R. Chwatal

Content

1. Word of the President

2. ECCE General Meeting 2016 in Norway

3. Good-bye speech by Adrienne Thier

4. ECCE on it’s way to the future (German and English)

5. ECCE removal to Belgium

6. ECCE General Meeting 2017 in Switzerland

7. Personal changes in the Council of Curative Education and Social Therapy, Dornach

8. 'Me and the world' – A Spanish-Portuguese Congress (Spanish and English)

9. What is the current situation of ACESTA (UK)?

10. Invitation - 10 years ELIANT ___________________________________________________________

1. Word of the president

The theme "building bridges", chosen as theme of our General Meeting, is intrinsic to the ECCE that seeks to connect different countries, different organizations, different people in connection with people with disabilities aiming to carry their voice at the European level. There are many ways to build bridges: to talk, to look, to write to each other... but one thing is certain: the bridge will be as strong as its pillars are, starting with the inner pillar of each of us. Therefore, introducing our meeting, Michael Dackweiler invited us to cultivate the strengths of our conscience, to nourish our inner life.The incredibly warm welcome that our Norwegian friends helped us to make our task easier: how, in -deed, not to grasp outstretched hands, not to respond to smiles, not being sensitive to the attentions provided, not to cross that bridge they had launched towards us! For all that we thank them with all our heart, as well as for the financial assistance they offered to us.Because, yes, bridging also requires money. Even if the budget of the ECCE, we have seen it, is minimal, it is essential that everyone contributes. We all have "good" reasons for not paying or delaying payment, but none holds face the obvious: if we want ECCE still be the bridge between us, between our organiza-tions, between our countries, still continue to raise our specific voice at European level, we must give it the means.Thank you in advance for taking your part... or even more.

Béatrice Cussac de-Verteuil – ECCE president

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2. ECCE General Meeting 2016 in Norway on the theme of bridge building

The Camphill villages in Trøndelag, Norway, had the honor to be the host for ECCEs annual meeting 19th to 22nd of May 2016. There were 26 participants from eleven different countries and six parti-cipants from Norway.The theme of these days was building bridges.We had lessons every morning about the theme, also song and eurythmy connected to the theme.The participants did also see all of the Camphill villages in Trøndelag during these days. We were very glad that we had the opportunity to take the participants on this trip to Camphill Rotvoll, Camphill Vallersund and Camphill Jøssåsen. On Saturday we spent the day in Camphill Jøssåsen, Malvik. There we also invited the families and the guardians for the villagers from all of the Camphill places in Trøndelag. This was concrete bridge build-ing with families, guardians, villagers, co-workers and participants from ECCE. We think it was nice that we could spend the day together, and that the families and guardians could hear more about ECCE. Especially the dance united us with the music. We could experience that ECCE build a pool for unity and inspiration for this work. The experience was to build a community among families, guardians, villagers, co-workers and participants at the conference for a common case of protecting the human dignity was one of the high lights.We got contributions from all the Camphill places in Trøndelag for these days. We were sponsored by Lions Club Malvik and Social Therapeutic Society in Norway for this conference.

We are grateful that we got the opportunity to arrange this conference. It was a pleasure!We have built a closer friendship and network! Thank you to all participants! Greetings from the Norwegian committee

Rigmor Skålholt, Dorine van der Linden, Frank Schmiemann and Astrid Åkra

We came together, were hosted by and visited the three beautiful Camphill communities in Tröndelag, the surrounding area of Trondheim in Norway: Rotvoll, Vallersund and Jøssåsen.

We were most warmly received and had historical and at times profound introductions to the founding impulses and the Norse Myths given by Rigmore Skålholt, Karen Nesheim and Kirsti Hill-Jones. After the introduction, and the history and story of the founding impulses, each drew a different ima-gination and these are some of the elements touched on: We need to forge a conscious relationship with the elemental beings and the dead, if we are to be able to work into the future in a healthy way. Vidar (from the Norse myths and one of Odin’s sons) has a shoe made up of all the extra bits of leather that were “spare” from the gathering at the toe and heel of all shoes made. Kirsti related this to the “extra” we do, not because it is necessary or duty but because we want to! And you cannot demand it from anyone, it is done out of freedom. Our friends with special needs ask this from us, they do not demand. This boot of Vidar is still in the making but it is this which will save the world at the end. This – if we take it seriously – is what can make us different now.

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Bart van Mechelen (member of the board of ECCE), he is general secretary of the Anthroposophical Society in Belgium and for some time a member of the Konferenz and he will be one of three people taking over the task of Ruediger Grimm in Dornach. He said: ECCE is based on encounter. Like in any encounter it is important that we think and say, “what can we bring?”, not “what can we get out of it?”. There are 4 regions in Europe, N, W, S and E. ECCE wakes us to this, safeguarding the image of the human being in law (equal human rights), making European regulations fit for purpose and co-operating with other partner organisations such as EDF, EASPD and Eliant, standing for culture and freedom as a basis for associating and bridge building. This is necessary work and needs support from the movement.

Michael Dackweiler (member of the board of ECCE) - How do we associate? First we take note, then we share experiences, then we bring understanding, tolerance and a willingness to share. We are suf-fering the loss of human values. Nils Kristy wrote a wonderful book 30 years ago: Beyond Institution and Loneliness. When we are on the bridge we look out on and only see the other side. We have our own relationship to the Sun, but the Sun shines on everyone, giving light and warmth. Every human soul can give light and love. Light reveals (revelation) The Inner Sun: I can meet it in the other, if I am interested.

A big “thank you” to Camphill Norway for the loving and attentive hosting of the event.

Official business: Béatrice Cussac de-Verteuil, Bernard Heldt and Adrienne Thier stood down and both Beatrice and Bernard were willing to stand again and were unanimously voted in. Adrienne wished to retire after many years of faithful service as committee member and as president. She was warmly thanked and was asked to remain an honorary member.

Part of Paulamaria Blaxland-de Lange’s report

3. Good bye-speech by Adrienne Thier

It was already a while ago that I decided to take leave from the ECCE Com-mitteeA few younger people joined the Committee (board). The first was Thomas Kraus, from Germany, at that time 42, to reinforce the Committee. Than there is Ann Naeyaert (53) from Belgium who took over the function of treasurer from Bernard Heldt. Bart Vanmechelen, (53), also from Belgium, represents from now on the Council for curative education and social therapy in Dornach in the ECCE Committee.

Young blood, new ideas!

Bernard Heldt – the last of the founders of ECCE - stays on for another mandate of three years. In these three years the Committee will have to organize his succession. I will come back on this.

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I first want to recall a few memories of the past 18 years I spent in the Committee of which 12 as presid -ent. Than I have two recommendations for the future.

The first president was Johannes Denger from

Germany. The second was Christa Schloh, a parent also from Germany but she lived in Brussels. Christa received the mission from Dornach, what means the Council for curative education and social ther-apy, to find out what was going on in Brussels in the field of people with learning disabilities. She did and she said: « Curative education and social therapy has to join the larger framework in the European Union because we are too small ». She meant the predecessor of Inclusion Europe, an association of parent organizations which did found, together with ECCE, other NGO’s and the National Councils for Disability in 1996 the European Disability Forum (EDF), the advisor of the European Commission in disability issues. And that is what we did.

Quite a few years later she said to me: « I will soon reach the age of 70, so it is time for me to with-draw ». I thought that that was indeed very old. Now I am myself on the wrong side of the seventies!! She added : « And YOU have to become the next president. YOU are a parent, not a professional ». She was a tall, stern woman. So that was how things went.

And I called Bernard Heldt and said : « I am not an anthroposophe ». « Never mind » he said, « we are ». « I don’t really have a vision », I said. « Never mind, we have »!! And that is how things went.

Last year the moment came for Beatrice Cussac de-Verteuil from France to take over the job. She is a parent and part of the Committee for many years. She said to me: »My English is insufficient to chair the Committee meetings and ECCE ».

In English there are two words for the European word « handicap » : « disability » for a learning or a physical deficiency. That means these people are dis–abled, not able to do something. The word « han-dicap » means a social handicap. Béatrice has a social handicap, her English. I have a social handicap, my German, and so on. So I answered her: “All of us have handicaps and we have to learn to live with them and to accept those of others. Then she said: « I am still working, I do not have much time ». « No prob-lem » I said, just as Bernard at the time. « We will solve those problems ». Thomas, our secretary, now chairs some of the Committee meetings. He shares the chair of the General Meetings with Béatrice. Anyhow, if she needs help for a translation or something else she knows where to find me.

There are two issues I am used to mention in the European Disability Forum (EDF), the Disability Inter -group of the European Parliament and Inclusion Europe:

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1.The interests of people with complex dependency needs. This is a forgotten group in the European Commission. 2.Exportability of allowances. What does this mean? People with a learning disability cannot move abroad with their allowance. I know a man who used to live in Belgium. Now he lives in Portugal, his choice! but he has to go every three months back to Belgium because of his allowance!!In the coming months these two issues will be discussed in the EDF.

Now a few words about the succession of Bernard: the ECCE connections in Europe, that means the ECCE network in the European Union and elsewhere.The European Disability Forum: I used to go to the General Assemblies. Bernard has been there too. Ann is prepared to go in the future; she did already and will be introduced to Catherine Naughton, the dir -ector of the EDF by myself.

Inclusion Europe: I used to go to their meetings and General Meetings. Thomas Kraus has been to sev -eral meetings. I hope he will continue to do so. He knows the director, Maureen Piggot.

The European Associaton for Service Providers of Persons with a Disability (EASPD): the director is Luk Zelderloo. We all know him. He came to our General Meeting in Finland and in Munich – he gave a lec-ture during a Council meeting in Dornach as well. Bernard goes to their meetings and is member of EASPD’s Policy Impact Group. Bernard and Michael Mullan collaborated with Luk on the Shadow Report. Quite a job!Bernard is still the one who knows how to get funds from the European structural funds such as « Le-onardo », with Petter Holm, and the « Erasmus + » funds. There are more. This knowledge has to be transferred to the new and younger members of the Committee.So the Committee has three more years to transfer this knowledge, wisdom and experience of man (and women) to the next generation! The success of this transfer will be vital for the future of ECCE.Last remark. Symposia, lectures in ECCE or elsewhere for parents and professionals are often too diffi -cult to understand for parents. Most professionals have an anthroposophical framework that parents lack. I appeal to speakers to speak a simple, understandable language for parents. The example I would like to give are the anthroposophical introductions by Michael Dackweiler and Michael Mullan. They are really understandable for parents and - I know - very much appreciated. I profit from this occasion to thank all those with whom I worked for so many years to defend the in -terests of our children, many of whom are adults now. I did everything I could to contribute to achieve the objectives of ECCE. I think ECCE did a wonderful job but I know that there is still a long way to go. I wish you all the strength, wisdom and perseverance to continue to create a better world for the future of people with special needs.T H A N K Y OU, M E M B E R S O F E C C E - Adrienne Thier, Brussels, May 2016

4. ECCE on it’s way to the future – ECCE auf dem Weg in die Zukunft (english translation below)

Brexit? Die Entscheidung eines Teils der Bevölkerung in Großbritannien aus der EU auszutreten ist ein Beispiel für das Wirken von Kräften, Anschauungen und Überzeugungen, denen wir in der ECCE nicht folgen. Sie sind für uns Ansporn, uns unsere Anliegen bewusst zu machen, für sie einzutreten, für sie zu kämpfen. Wir suchen die Verbindung, die Brücken zwischen den Menschen, den Initiativen, den Einrichtungen und den Ländern in Europa. Wir suchen Wege der gegenseitigen Wahrnehmung und Unterstützung, des Austauschs von Erfahrungen. Wir bilden Netzwerke zwischen den Ländern und Initiativen - insbesondere auch zu anderen Organisationen. Natürlich: Wir sind klein, wir sind wenige, wir haben bescheidene Mittel. Aber wir nutzen diese, wir sind initiativ, effektiv und beweglich. Wiederstände sind für uns nichts Neues und Bedrohliches: Wir sind es gewohnt, mit Einschränkungen, Besonderheiten und Behinderungen zu leben.Wir gehen unseren Weg als SelbstvertreterInnen, Angehörige und Professionelle, die es gewohnt sind, im weltweiten Netzwerk der anthroposophisch orientierten Initiativen zusammenzuarbeiten. Wir sprechen für die Erfahrungen, die wir in den unterschiedlichen europäischen Ländern machen und buchstabieren so mit an einer europäischen Formulierung, einer europäischen Sprache, die dem gerecht zu werden sucht, was als Qualität durch besondere Menschen in die Kultur unseres Kontinents und seiner Länder fließen will.

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So wirken wir mit, dass wir eines Tages zurecht von einer inklusiven Gesellschaft sprechen können die allen Mitgliedern dieser Gesellschaft gut tut auch wenn diese besonders sind, vielleicht fremd erscheinen, langsamer, schneller, individuell – wie auch immer: Ausdruck ihrer Einzigartigkeit sind.

Michael DackweilerIONA Werkstatt, Dorfgemeinschaft Tennental

ECCE on it’s way to the future Brexit? The decision of the majority of the population of the UK to quit the EU is an example of the ac -tion of forces, beliefs and convictions, which ECCE does not follow. For us these developments are a chal-lenge to make aware of our requests, intercede for them, to fight for them.ECCE looks for bridges between people, initiatives, institutions and countries in Europe. We are searching for ways of mutual awareness, and we support the exchange of experiences.We build networks between countries and initiatives, also in cooperation with other organizations.

Of course, we are small, we are few and we have a limited scope of means, but we use them proactively, effectively and in an agile way. Resistors are not new to us and don’t threaten us. We are used to live with restrictions, special features and disabilities.

We go our way as self-advocates, family members and professionals who are accustomed to cooperat -ing in a worldwide network of anthroposophical initiatives.

We exchange our experiences within different European countries and work on a common European language, in order to create the quality we are aiming for, to unite the culture of our continent through special people.This is our contribution to an inclusive society whose members feel good, even if they are particular, might seem strange, slow, fast, individual - however: these individual features express their uniqueness.

Michael DackweilerIONA Werkstatt, Dorfgemeinschaft Tennental(translated by Renate Chwatal)

5. ECCE removal to Belgium

On the general meeting of the ECCE in Trondheim, the members decided to bring ECCE under the Bel -gian law. Most of the European organizations are based in Brussels and have their official registered office in Belgium. Our treasurer Ann Naeyaert also lives in Belgium. Therefore it is more practical (and cheaper) to have ECCE operate under the Belgian law. We don't have to change the official text of our articles of association/ our statutes, just send them together with the official announcement that the members have decided so to the court and ask for the official publication. Then the arrangements can be made to end the ECCE working under the Dutch law. We want to have taken all the official steps by October of this year.

Bart Vanmechelen

6. ECCE General Meeting 2017 in Switzerland

In 2017 ECCE will celebrate its 25th anniversary. These celebratations will be held in connection with our next General Meeting from May 18th to 21st, 2017 in Arlesheim, Sonnenhof. This meeting will be con-nected to an inclusive Conference by the Swiss federation (VAHS) on May 20 th. ECCE will meet there a group of about 140 people of residents, parents and coworkers from all over Switzerland. Please safe the date ! The ECCE Committee will be glad to see you there. In the next ECCE Link we will be able to tell you more details about this forthcoming General Meeting.

Renate Chwatal

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7. Personal changes in the Council of Curative Education and Social Therapy, Dornach

After 21 years as Secretary of the Council for Curative Education and Social Therapy, Rüdiger Grimm will resign on December 31st, 2016. Jan Göschel, Bart Vanmechelen and Sonja Zausch have been called on to assume leadership of the Council for Curative Education and Social Therapy.

Please find more information in the KHS-Press release, annexed to this e-mail Bart Vanmechelen

8. "EU E O MONDO", Segundo Congreso Regional de Compañeros de la FPCS(Federación Hispano-Portuguesa de Pedagogía Curativa y Terapia Social) (english translation below)

A los pies de la Sierra de la Estela en pleno corazón portugués, Casa de Santa Isabel en San Rômao-Seia, fue la comunidad encargada de la organización de este segundo congreso de compañeros celebrado el pasado mes de mayo. Fueron más de 250 los compañeros que juntó a sus acompañantes y familias se dieron cita en unas jornadas llenas de entusiasmo donde la constelación conformada por Casa de Santa Isabel, ASTA, Asociación Tobías y San Juan brilló nuevamente con luz propia, haciendo del encuentro un saludo a la sana convivencia. Jornadas repletas de contenidos artísticos y humanos donde cada participante pudo aportar su saber ser, estar y hacer, y más allá, fortalecer los lazos de unión que caracterizan nuestra acción conjunta en el devenir de un mundo diverso y lleno de esperanza.

Este congreso coincidió con el 35 Aniversario de la institución anfitriona (Casa de Santa Isabel), las fuerzas de corazón se hicieron presentes y pudimos en la intimidad de nuestras almas recibir el regalo de encuentros verdaderos que hicieron brillar el sol interior de cada participante. Las mañanas se dedicaron a la práctica de diferentes artes y oficios, 19 work-shops dieron la posibilidad de llegar a los diferentes intereses: Música, pintura, escultura, palabra, modelado, panadería, energías renovables, observación de aves, actividades radicales, huerto de hiervas medicinales........, momentos mágicos: el estreno de la obra "Momo" ofrecida por el grupo de teatro de Casa de Santa Isabel, los bailes tradicionales y el descubrimiento de lugares emblemáticos de la región. La participación activa de instituciones públicas y privadas en el desarrollo del congreso, posibilito la visibilidad de la realidad cotidiana de la Pedagogía Curativa y Terapia Social en un contexto social donde este hacer tiene mucho que aportar.

La fiesta de clausura sirvió de cierre de estas jornadas, una cena de gala muy especial con la participación de familias y autoridades locales, también contamos con la presencia de delegados del

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consejo de administración ECCE. En los corazones, la certeza de nuevas oportunidades para continuar tendiendo puentes. Ya esperamos el siguiente Congreso Hispano-Portugués, dentro de dos años (2018), en esa ocasión será en ASTA (Asociación Socio-terapéutica de Almeida).

Fidel Ortega Dueñas, Presidente FPCS

Me and the World

The Second Regional Congress of people in need of special care of FPCS (Spanish-Portuguese Federation of Curative Education and Social Therapy, FPCS).At the foot of the Sierra de la Estela right in the centre of Portugal the initiative Casa de Santa Isabel in San Romao-Seia was responsible for organizing this second congress in May 2016. They were more than 250 participants, people in need of special care and families in a conference full of enthusiasm. The Federation formed by Casa de Santa Isabel, ASTA, Tobias Association and San Juan shone again with its own light. Days full of artistic and human activities where each participant could bring his knowledge and strengthen the ties that characterize our joint action for the future of a diverse and hopeful world.

This conference coincided with the 35th Anniversary of the host institution (Casa de Santa Isabel) the heart forces were present and could in the privacy of our souls receive the gift of true encounters that made the sun shine inside of each participant.Mornings were devoted to the practice of different arts and crafts, 19 workshops offered activities such as: music, painting, sculpture, discussions, modelling, bakery, renewable energy, bird watching, radical activities, garden herbs and medicinal plants, magical moments: the premiere of "Momo" offered by the theatre group Casa de Santa Isabel, traditional dances and the discovery of emblematic places of the region.The active participation of public and private institutions during the congress made the everyday reality of Curative Education and Social Therapy in a social context visible.The closing party was a very special gala dinner with the participation of families and local authorities in the presence of delegates of the board of ECCE, European Co-operation in Anthroposophical Curative Education and Social Therapy.In the hearts of the participants live the idea that new opportunities will come up to continue to build bridges. We hope the next Hispanic-Portuguese Congress in two years time (2018) will take place in ASTA (Association Socio-therapeutic de Almeida in Portugal).

Fidel Ortega Dueñas, President of the FPCSTranslation from Spanish corrected by Adrienne Thier and Thomas Kraus (participant of the congress)

9. What is the current situation of ACESTA (UK)?

ACESTA – the Association for Care Education and Social Therapy out of Anthroposophy – was at a turn -ing point in 2015. As elsewhere in Europe, British Health Care changed and we had to change and adapt accordingly. With the possibility of voluntary registration with the Health and Social Councils, all activities under the umbrella of the Medical Section needed to have Associations, so there was a flurry of activity and we saw the founding of many of our present professional Associations.When government withdrew voluntary registration ACESTA nevertheless continued and a committed group of people met regularly. Many member organisations continued to support it, even if they did not send representation to the meetings. Why? Rudolf Steiner asked of us to associate, to be brotherly, to collaborate and to work together, to share research and to meet one another, to be loyal and take an interest, to be aware of the whole in the way we deal with the part.

Was anything achieved? I think so. Important steps were made for people from different streams and ways of working to come together: Independent places and Camphills, farms, schools, colleges, adult places, those working with people of all ages with a learning difficulty or disability, with illness or mental health issues, with dis -orders or dependencies or needs around ageing etc.

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-The Image of Man given to us by Rudolf Steiner, as a healing impulse for our time, for us, for the Earth. -The realisation that ACESTA was the only association to bring these diverse groups and organisations with their shared respect for Rudolf Steiner and Karl König together. -The creation of awareness and good will through networking between groups and places in Europe through for instance our active membership of ECCE. -The relationship with the Medical Section in Dornach, with groups such as STAG - the adult care out of Anthroposophy group - and other subgroups of the Konferenz in Dornach, Kassel and other places. -The support of publications.- The building of relationships with the Anthroposophical Society and Emerson College and the support for training, further personal development and conferences.

And why continue?Apart from the above:We cannot - either each one of us, or each separate organisation alone - achieve as much without the sharing, the warm interest, the learning, the challenges, the support, the loyalty and the face to face meetings.

With Europe changing, social forms falling apart all around us, with the challenges of our present millen -nium firmly upon us, with huge migrations and homelessness, with the abuse and misuse of our very foundation the Earth, the overstimulation of the senses, the dumbing down of thinking, and the shallow-ing of feeling, we need each other to give and receive: enthusiasm and learning; ever renewing inner resolve and responsibility; and brotherly sharing.

Without active participation in training or further development opportunities, where will workers out of Anthroposophy come from?The last ACESTA meeting at June 16th was well attended and we have decided to carry on and to add to our meetings regular one or half day conferences as well as larger events. Many themes that have occu-pied people in the three main conferences (STAG, ECCE and New Lanark) this last May were collected and events will be organised around these, and will be inclusive, artistic and outward looking. Paula -maria Blaxland de Lange was asked to continue as chair, as was Edeline Lefevre as secretary and Piet Blok as treasurer for this coming year, and there will be continued support for ECCE and STAG. Philip Haddon who is editor of Point and Circle will join this work with us and younger members are joining. Jan Göschel and Bart Vanmechelen – who together with Sonja Zausch from January 1 st 2017 will be the successors of Rüdiger Grimm, as joint secretaries of the Council for Curative Education and Social Ther -apy - both expressed the wish to be supportive, willing to come and contribute and keen to keep in contact.

Paulamaria Blaxland-de LangePresident of ACESTA

During this ACESTA meeting Piet Blok, treasurer of ACESTA (in the middle) celebrated his 80th birthday and told his interesting biography. Congratulations, Piet!

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Message from Rüdiger Grimm, Bart Vanmechelen and Jan Göschel, June 15th:

"ECCE and the International Council both appreciate very much the collaboration and 'building bridges' between curative education and social therapy initiatives within the countries and building further on that within the network internationally. This development of the movement worldwide is firmly based on our common values and inspired by anthroposophy and the curative education course.

The diversity of work-forms and ways to support people with special needs makes our movement strong and encourages the further development of inclusive care and support initiatives as an answer to the specific needs and within the given context (with opportunities and within the limitations) of each coun-try and community.

So we hope by expressing this concern and by carrying your work in our thoughts and hearts we can encourage you to strengthen the development of ACESTA in its unique identity to support the collabora-tion and development of all curative education/ social therapy initiatives in Great Britain and at the same time to support the collaboration with colleagues and initiatives in the worldwide movement.”

10. Invitation - 10 years ELIANT

On November the 7th, 2016 ELIANT will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a symposium in Brussels. All members of ECCE will be invited as well, since ECCE is a founding member of ELIANT.

The theme of the day will be about how ELIANT supports the initiatives for applied Anthroposophy in the EU realm. The program is not yet ready, but here is our proposal for the ECCE workshop on this day:

Theme : Care and support for people with special needs· Issues: Developments in European rules and regulations that threaten our work Forced inclusion in exclusive programs results in exclusion Integration without an holistic image of man or without holistic care lead to desintegration Economization: care reduced to the game of supply and demand on a menu of care actions

under the pressure of saving costs reduces the people in need of special care to consumers rather than active participants in society; "suppliers" detache and build no supporting rela-tionships

Standardization: "Best practices" based on assessment and measurement of physical outcome only lead to standardized protocols of 'one size fits all' and leave no space for individualized care

What Europe can do?: protecting human rights (right to care, right to education, protecting privacy, protecting freedom of choice, protecting cultural differences, protecting minorities e.g. against reduction of people in care to economic factors...

· Chair: Bernard Heldt· Introduction: Alexandra Buijsman· Moderator: Bart Vanmechelen

· Participants: people with special needs and their relatives as well as care professionals

ECCE WISHES ALL OUR MEMBERS, FRIENDS AND READERS OF THE LINK A SUNNY SUMMERTIME

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