EFTRE conference planning gets concrete

“Building bridges over troubled waters – RE in changing times.” This is the theme of the next EFTRE conference, which will take place from 24 to 27 August 2023. The Executive Board of EFTRE is in the middle of preparations and was able to meet in presence in November 2022 for the first time after 3 years.

In Rome, they were warmly welcomed by their Italian member organisation SNADIR (Association of Teachers of Religion in Italy) and its Executive Director Orazio Ruscica. With the Link Campus University, a beautiful location was found in the centre of Rome that invites teachers, teacher trainers as well as researchers of religious education to learn together, to share meals and exchange with each other.

More information about the venue, the programme and registration will be available soon.

Corona, website and membership: the EFTRE executive’s topics

Due to the Corona crisis, EFTRE’s board meeting originally planned on 27-28th March 2020 in Valencia, Spain, had to be postponed to the second half of the year. Instead, the executive board only met via video conference.

The group exchanged about how EFTRE can put European solidarity first in times of Corona and support members in current challenges such as distance learning. A first collection of links has been put on the website which will be further updated. RE teachers can find useful materials and tools for distant learning offered in various European countries.

Furthermore, the executive took forward the renewal of the network’s website and an improvement of the membership management.

New Executive and Board elected

During the conference in Dublin the EFTRE General Assembly took place as well. One important point was the appointment of the Executive and the Board of EFTRE.

In regard to the Executive, two new members were elected: Marios Kokounaras Liagkis from Greece and Bianca Kappelhoff from Germany. Former Executive member Florin Tomoioaga has stepped down but continues as the Board Member for Rumania. Thus, the members of the Executive for the next three years are: Lesley Prior, England (Chair), Elisabeth Faber, Denmark (Secretary), Hugo Verkest, Belgium (Treasurer), Sonja Danner, Austria, Outi Raunio, Finland (Communications Officer), Marios Kokounaras Liagkis, Greece and Bianca Kappelhoff, Germany. As the next Conference in 2022 will take place in Rome, Italian board member Orazio Ruscica or his representative, will be co-opted onto the Executive as well.

As for the Board, almost all country representatives agreed to continue in their roles. As Bianca Kappelhoff has now joined the Executive, she is also the German representative on the board. Furthermore, Eliana Hadjioannou joined the board as Cyprus’ representative.

Please note: You find a full list and description of the board members and the executive members on the EFTRE website.

Written by Bianca Kappelhoff