International Democratic Education Conference

IDEC@EUDEC 2025 Belgium

August 1 to 7, 2025

De Kluis, Sint-Joris-Weert, Belgium

Speakers

Estonia – Colombia

Charlie Moreno-Romero

Originally from Colombia but residing in Estonia, I’m very interested and supportive of innovate educational practices that actively involve young people in their learning. My academic journey spans across disciplines; philology for my bachelor’s, anthropology for my master’s, and a doctorate in education (democratic education and education for social justice and inclusion). 

My research and practical expertise relates to democratic education, self-directed learning, language acquisition, media literacy, and fostering social justice through education. Within the realm of social sciences, my curiosity extends to culture, history, media analysis, leisure and identity dynamics, political anthropology, and ethnographic methodologies. I communicate freely in English, Italian and Spanish and possess a proficiency in Estonian and French as well. Currently, I serve as a council member for the European Democratic Education Community (www.eudec.org) and a founding member for the Right-Centric Education Network.

Talks & workshops

In this workshop, some basic approaches to decolonial theory will be introduced, followed y reflections by presenters and participants on why and how to practically implement them in learning environments that incorporate children’s rights and democratic principles.

Workshop

Belgium – Colombia

Liliana Carrillo

CollectiveUP

Liliana Carrillo is a Colombian-Spanish professional, playful mother to two teenagers—a daughter (18) and a son (16)—and wife to her Belgian partner. She has lived in Belgium for 13 years, building a career in research and innovation. With a background in computer science, artificial intelligence, and business, Liliana seamlessly integrates her expertise with her passions for education and societal impact. In 2021, she founded CollectiveUP, through which she leads various EU-funded projects, including initiatives focused on Self-Directed Agile Education and other transformative endeavours.

Talks & workshops

As we grow, our cultures and media deeply shape the biases we carry—often unconsciously. These biases influence how we navigate life and, critically, how educational environments are structured. In this interactive session, participants will uncover their own unconscious biases and examine their impact on learning spaces and society. Together, we will explore the concept of deschooling—what it is, when and where it can be applied, and how it challenges entrenched thought patterns. By learning to question assumptions and foster personal transformation, we can collectively reimagine a more equitable and inclusive society through the lens of education.

Interactive talk

Sri Lanka

Nuwan Dissanayaka

I have been involved in democratic education since 2015 and was the main organizer for SLDEC 2018 in Sri Lanka and main organizer for Most innovative Teacher of the year award ceremony. Moreover, I have achieved following national and international awards for my work. Global Teacher of The Year 2019, Gold Award for Outstanding Contribution for Sri Lankan Education in 2020, Best Educational Research 2018 at the World Conference on Education.

Talks & workshops

Democracy is not a fixed ideal—it evolves with time, culture, and revolutions. What we call liberal democracy today emerged after WWII and the Industrial Revolution, but it is now slowly becoming outdated, following the Polybius cycle of civilization. The system we see is more of a guided illusion than true democracy for our time.

It is time for the next generation to redefine democracy—one that reflects their era, values, and aspirations. How can we support this transformation? Join me as I uncover the realities of modern democracy and explore the path toward its next evolution.

Talk

the Netherlands

Dorianne De Groot & Ruud Van Middelaar

Democratic School De Ruimte Soest

Dorianne and Ruud are co-founders of De Ruimte in Soest in the Netherlands. They have implemented sociocracy right from the start of their endeavour in 2002. With more than 20 years of experience they love to share and introduce this to other people and especially people that are committed to create more democratic schools and more democracy in education.

Talks & workshops

Sociocracy was invented by the Quakers in the 17th century. They were committed to create ‘the democratic ideal’ and worked out the sociocracy into a system and procedures where equivalence is the standard. All participants join in the decision making and all votes have an equal value. Decisions are made on the principal of ‘consent’, which means that there is nobody present with a reasoned objection. The effect is that everybody takes this decision and will carry it forward.

The mechanics of sociocracy are surprisingly easy but profound. The change of mind for all the participants and the rules of the game may be less easy and will need at least some practice. Once you have experienced it, it will prove its effectiveness to you and make you want to never do without, for sure. The change of mind means that mostly from our upbringing we think that decisions are based in discussion and debate. In a standard democracy we take decisions by majority vote and have a discussion beforehand to prove the others opinion wrong, so your opinion is proven right. So, your mind is controlled by your opinion and has no interest in changing, rather to fix it by bringing supporting arguments into the discussion. In the sociocracy however, you share viewpoints on the question at hand. You listen to other viewpoints, you allow yourself to look at it from other viewpoints and then the magic happens, because sometimes your mind is changing by itself. You were very sure about what the best way forward would be and then, without warning, you have a different viewpoint. On the other hand, sometimes it doesn’t change your mind when listening to other viewpoints but is does make you appreciate and understand why someone would look at it that way. Then you can agree to the proposal which would not be your proposal and you will say ‘I have no reasoned objection’

Workshop

Belgium

Marie Pons

Orvita

Marie is co-founder of Orvita and co-organizer of the IDEC@EUDEC 2025. She worked with Children in a democratic school and still works with them in democratic camps. Orvita wants to restart the school. Orvita works with non violent communication as a basis. Marie is a trainer for self-direction and NVC with children. She is also a therapist, working with the inner children of adults.

Talks & workshops

Society is structured according to a power system, where some have more say and more privileges than others. Schools are typically institutions that educate us to fit into this system. Power systems are based on trauma and perpetuate trauma. How does that work? Democratic schools aim to create a culture of equality, which is crucial if we want to build a society where people can be more themselves, stand in their power, and live in harmony with their environment. However, humanity has lived within power systems for thousands of years, and we are deeply immersed in them. Whether we are aware of it or not, it lives in each of us, and sooner or later, it will surface. How can we work with this within ourselves so that we pass it on less and less to the children?

Talk

Germany

Walid Malik

Walid Malik is a human rights advocate specializing in children’s and youth rights, with a strong focus on combating discrimination, antisemitism, and racism. He works as a trainer in historical and political education, delivering workshops that inspire critical thinking and promote social justice. Walid’s expertise lies in empowering individuals and fostering inclusive environments. Through his work, he connects historical contexts with current challenges, encouraging reflection and action. His passion for equality drives his dedication to education, advocacy, and meaningful dialogue

Talks & workshops

The indivisibility of suffering and empathy is a cornerstone of human dignity, particularly in schools navigating the complexities of the Middle East conflict. These environments often reflect societal challenges, including discrimination, antisemitism, and anti-Muslim racism, which deeply affect both students and educators. By addressing these issues openly, schools can foster critical thinking and cultivate empathy as a tool for dismantling discrimination. Education must serve as a platform for understanding diverse perspectives while reinforcing the shared value of human dignity. This keynote emphasizes the transformative role of empathy and inclusive education in challenging discrimination and building bridges in polarized times.

Talk

Participants will engage with topics like discrimination, antisemitism, and anti-Muslim racism, reflecting on how these issues impact educational spaces. Together, we will discuss strategies to foster empathy, challenge discrimination, and create inclusive environments where human dignity is upheld. This interactive session aims to equip educators with tools to address complex societal challenges within their classrooms.

Workshop

United Kingdom

Ian Cunningham

My day job is as a dancer (I am 82, by the way). I also help to run the Centre for Self Managed Learning and within it the Self Managed Learning community. I live in Brighton on the south coast of England. I also write books and articles, I cycle and I spend time with my grandchildren, children and friends. In the past I have been a professor, the Chief Executive of a business school and a chaired an international learning and development consultancy.

Talks & workshops

Collectively humans have become averse to learning that equips us to deal with the modern world. Schools, universities, and other institutions have colluded to keep out any attention to important missed learning.

For instance, the moral dimension of our uses of what is learned is missed. As a former research chemist I am clear that chemists have neglected the moral choices in creating new chemicals.

Schooling has separated learning into subjects – which are an invention of teachers. There are no subjects in the world. Holistic systemic learning is being neglected.

There is a way forward if people will listen.

Talk

Workshop

Belgium

Nathalie Fradin

Nathalie is a dreamer, explorer and alchemist currently teaching French as a foreign language to adults and teenagers in Belgium. With more than 30-year experience in education, coaching and project management in ten countries, she is passionate about education, healthy relationships and holistic wellness. Nathalie is also eager to share her explorations and experience with learning communities in Europe and beyond.

Talks & workshops

Talk

Workshop

Sri Lanka

Yasodhara Pathanjali

Independent Collective School Sri Lanka

Talks & workshops

Following on from Yasodhara Pathanjali’s talk on mitigating parent fears on the run up to launching Sri Lanka’s first formal Democratic school during IDEC Nepal 2023, hear about the huge learnings,innovations and journey that Independent Collective School has gone through in its first year. A story of student empowerment in Sri Lanka creating a unique learning space in Colombo.

Online talk