International Democratic Education Conference

IDEC@EUDEC 2025 Belgium

August 1 to 7, 2025

De Kluis, Sint-Joris-Weert, Belgium

We want to spread and strengthen self-directed community education, so that more children will be fully trusted and really be themselves, and acquire the skills to make a positive impact in present and future society.

What is democratic Education?

A democratic school is a learning environment, based on the following 2 pillars:

  • Children and young people have the right to make their own choices regarding learning and all other areas of daily life. In particular, they can individually decide what to do, when, where, how and with whom, as long as their decisions do not infringe on the freedom of others to do the same.
  • Children and young people have an equal share in decision-making about how their organizations – in particular their schools – are managed and what agreements are needed.

IDEC?

IDEC stands for International Democratic Education Conference. Since 1993 there is every year an IDEC conference, where people from over the whole world come together to meet about Democratic Education.

EUDEC?

EUDEC stands for European Democratic Education Community. It is a non-profit organization that promotes democratic education as a sensible educational model for all democratic states. Its members are individuals, schools and institutions throughout Europe with decades of experience in democratic education.

Since 2008 there is every year a EUDEC conference, where people who are active in the field of democratic education, or are interested to get to know more about it, meet, discuss ideas, work on projects, play and have fun together.

Democratic education:

a culture of dialogue

  • Dialogue with children
  • Dialogue between democratic schools and their local communities
  • Dialogue with regular schools and teachers
  • Dialogue between democratic education experiences from different backgrounds and parts of the world

Dive deep into Democratic Education during a vibrant week filled with inspiring workshops and talks.

Learn from teachers, students, facilitators from democratic schools, researchers, and education innovators.

The program bring together the best of both worlds: pre-planned talks and workshops, and the power of Open Space.

  • The evolving program schedule already includes pre-planned sessions and confirmed, participant-led workshops and activities.
  • Meet inspiring speakers from around the world.
  • Open space gives all participants, adults and children alike, the opportunity to give a lecture, lead a workshop, host a circle or organize an activity, about anything they feel worth sharing.
  • We also provide a lot of possibilities for play, culture, leisure and other activities. 
  • Get to know a whole new approach towards education.
  • Meet teachers, facilitators, children and parents from all over the world that are already part of a democratic learning community. 
  • Hear the latest research about  learning.
  • Learn about collective decision making, conflict resolution, non violent communication, neurodiversity, and… 
  • Exchange ideas and experiences with other teachers, mentors, facilitators and students.

Parents who are unsatisfied with the current educational system and that are looking for other options (democratic schools, homeschooling, unschooling), can get at the conference information, empowering insights and the opportunity to share experiences and connect with like-minded parents.

A lot of space for free play: forest, fields, a playground and a craft room. 

Children and youngsters are welcome at all of the activities of the program. Part of the program will be aimed especially at young people. 

Make IDEC@EUDEC possible for everyone

With your donation we support others to join IDEC@EUDEC 2025 Belgium – who might otherwise not be able to afford it.

Donation

Help more people find out about the conference

Choose your way to spread the word:

  • Follow, like and share on social media
  • Add IDEC@EUDEC to your website and in your newsletter
  • Talk about the conference
  • and more…

Do you want to actively spread the word about the conference?

Become an ambassador!

Mail us at info@eudec2025.org and become part of the international IDEC@EUDEC ambassadors community.

Contribute to educational transformation

This event marks the first-ever conference on Democratic Education in Belgium.
Democratic Education focuses on human rights, self-empowerment, and the skills
essential for lifelong learning.

By sponsoring, you contribute to educational transformation and help provide solutions to the current pressing challenges facing our current education system.

Sponsoring the IDEC@EUDEC Conference provides you with visibility and access
to potential clients, all while contributing to social and educational impact.

Ticket info

Want to know more about:

  • Ticket options
  • Accommodation options
  • Food options
  • Prices

Accessibility

We are committed to making IDEC@EUDEC 2025 accessible to everyone.

  • Financial Accessibility
  • Parent accessibility & childcare
  • Language accessibility
  • Other accessibility needs

Venue: De Kluis

The conference will take place at De Kluis, a youth residence located within the beautiful Meerdaalwoud forest near the historic university town of Leuven.

Have a question?

Check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Didn’t find the answer? Contact us at info@eudec2025.org.