How may we simply reduce stress and increase the level of happiness in our learning communities? This talk is an invitation to explore the physiological approach of the polyvagal theory, with concrete examples of recent applications with teenagers and adult learners.

How do students experience life in a democratic school? And what impact does this have on their later lives? (Former) students tell their stories and engage in conversation with the audience.

Kageki ASAKURA (TDU/ Tekisen Democratic University) JapanKageki Asakura has worked in both areas, the practices and the study of democratic education. Asakura has worked at the oldest free democratic school in Japan and founded the first Japanese democratic university, Shure University (TDU/Tekisen Democratic University, now).

Jacqueline van Ewijk took the initiative 10 years ago to establish a democratic school together with like-minded people. After the necessary research into the system of 'majority of votes' and 'sociocracy', it was decided to use the latter method in the school.

Christel, together with her husband Peter, has been involved in establishing Sudbury model schools in the Netherlands since 2002 and has gained a lot of experience over the years from the perspective of a mother and a staff member.

She has met many young people, both in the Netherlands and abroad, who had developed completely independently at these type of schools. She has also studied the theories that underpin this education. Her great interest in how children learn in these schools has recently resulted in a second PhD study into the effects of these types of schools on the adult life of former students.

Janneke en Claartje talk about the process of creating this special book. 69 interviews with more than 80 former students. What is the common thread in all these stories?

Supplemented with the values ​​within a democratic school

Peter Hartkamp (1961), after studying mining engineering at the Technical University in Delft and working for a Dutch Petroleum Company, moved in 1994 with his wife and three daughters to the Sultanate of Oman, where the children attended a Dutch primary school. In 1998, the family moved back to the Netherlands. Since then education, education law and human rights has constantly demanded his attention.

Peter Gray is a research professor of psychology at Boston College who has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education.

Dorianne and Ruud have been active in democratic education ever since they started their own school 'De Ruimte' in the Netherlands, 21 years ago.

Now they come to speak to us about their fast experience in all thinkable matters that are involved in starting, growing and sustaining a school for democratic education.

Freedom in democratic education is the principle of choosing what, when, where, how and with whom you want to learn and develop yourself. But what is freedom?

Piet van der Ploeg is a lecturer at the Academica University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam and an associate professor at the University of Groningen. He delves into themes such as educational ethics, educational law and educational innovations. Piet van der Ploeg graduated in Theology - Theology.

My name is Gabriel Groiss, I’m living with my family in Tenerife (Spain). I was the pedagogical director of the Free-Democratic School in Nature “PlayaEscuela El Médano” (https://www.playaescuela.org) we founded in 2016.

Peter Hartkamp (1961), after studying mining engineering at the Technical University in Delft and working for a Dutch Petroleum Company, moved in 1994 with his wife and three daughters to the Sultanate of Oman, where the children attended a Dutch primary school. In 1998, the family moved back to the Netherlands. Since then education, education law and human rights has constantly demanded his attention.

My work is in promoting Rights-Centric Education (because "Student-Centric" is simply not good enough - it still lies within the hegemony of education, and does not respect children as complete human beings). I do this at Kinder Republic, the Democratic School I co-founded with my wife, and by helping other schools become more Rights-Centric in their approach.

Margo Bruins; Walking for 21st years in democratic schools.

She is a staff member at De Ruimte Soest

This interactive lecture is about you!

Opening of the EUDEC 2024

Meeting all the people when they arrive at the venue.