Who we are
IASWECE is an organ of the cultural impulse of Rudolf Steiner and the worldwide Steiner/Waldorf early childhood education movement. It’s members are (multi-) country associations that represent the collaboration of Steiner/Waldorf early childhood programmes in their country aworking on behalf of the young child from (pre-)birth to seven. Since it’s foundation in 2006 the number of members mounted to 34 spread over 5 continents. Representatives of the country members meet twice yearly to work on burning issues regarding the well being and education of the young child.
What we do
The International Association for Steiner/Waldorf Early Childhood Education (IASWECE) provides a meeting place for early childhood educators from the many countries striving to uphold, deepen and renew Steiner/Waldorf early childhood education. Our shared task is to ensure that Waldorf pedagogy becomes neither a theoretical system, nor a collection of outer methods, but a wellspring of living insight.
The fruitfulness of worldwide cooperation beyond all limits of language, politics and religion is a tried and tested experience. Above all, an exchange is cultivated regarding new developments and research projects by international groups.
The purposes of the Association include but are not limited to the following:
- Foster cooperation among colleagues throughout the world through meetings, conferences, working groups, etc.
- Deepen and renew the work with the young child out of the sources of Waldorf education and support its quality.
- Foster training and continuing development of caregivers and early childhood educators.
- Undertake and support collaborative research on contemporary questions about the care and education of the young child.
- Support collaboration with parents, other educators and the wider society about the needs of the young child.
- Protect the freedom and the name of Steiner/Waldorf early childhood education.
- Provide resources, information and publications on Waldorf early childhood education and its programs worldwide.
- Offer support – pedagogical and financial – for projects in countries around the world.
In the following documents we have articulated some of our principle thoughts with the awareness that they are ‘living’ documents that need to be revisited and improved from time to time.
Essential Characteristics of Waldorf ECE
The Universal Human Spirit
More information can be found on:
info@iaswece.LÖSCHEN.org
www.iaswece.org
