Together

let’s shape education in Europe.

The Intereuropean Commission on Church and School (ICCS) is a network, created in 1958, which aims to provide a framework for cooperation in monitoring and developing church and school issues in Europe. It brings together representatives and experts from research, practice and policy working on Religion and Education.

Mapping the field of Church and School

Issues of church and school are in the focus of ICCS. Relations differ due to contexts and history. Cooperation exists as well as clear separation. However churches concern exist for good education and good schooling.

 Promoting exchange and critical Dialogue

Bringing together experts and staff of churches and universities responsible for church & school issues is a main concern of ICCS. Exchange with churches and political institutions is a main priority.

Political work at the Council of Europe

ICCS acts as an International Non Governmental Organization in the framework of the Council of Europe. This enables participation, exchange with other INGOs and own activies related to the issues of the Council.

 

News and Events

Empirical study on RE & the pandemic

Empirical study on RE & the pandemic

Publication alert! The main findings of the empirical study about what Covid-19 has revealed to RE specialists across Europe are published as an open access article at the Journal of Religious Education. The study was led by five researchers from the ICCS and...

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Opinions about our work

Piet Jansen

Piet Jansen

President, International Association for Christian Education (IV)

"For IV, ICCS is our closest partner with whom we are delighted to collaborate. By joining hands, we create more and better opportunities for mutual inspiration and for exchanges between our members than we would by ourselves. That’s why we intend to continue our long-lasting partnership for many years to come! "

Laima Geikina

Professor and board member of Independent Education Association (NGO)

"The ICCS is a platform for expanding local civil activities to a more international stage. This is very important in a time when populism and nationalism grow not only in Europe, but globally too. To keep an open mind, to meet professionals and activists in this network – this is the biggest benefit of being a member of ICCS. To promote unity and cross boarders: national, professional, disciplinary, personal and natural ones. Proud to be a part of it!"

Lesley Prior

Chair of EFTRE and Secretary of CoGREE

"The links to partner associations across Europe are very valuable to me. Exchanges with colleagues always help us to reflect on common challenges and to share our strategies for meeting them. One particularly rich source of interaction is the ICCS Klingenthal Colloquium that also allows us to interact with the major European institutions in a constructive and valuable way. "

Prof. Dr. Marie-Paule Stintzi

President of the Goethe Foundation Basel

"The colloquium of ICCS and CoGREE is an established event in our conference centre, which we actively support as the Goethe Foundation Basel. We work together to strengthen the contribution of education and religious education to a European understanding. We look forward to further cooperation."

A strong community

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Churches

Churches and the people working for them, are essential to ICCS’ work. Involved in ICCS are Churches from a Protestant, Anglican or Orthodox background that mostly have official links with the World Council of Churches (WCC) or the Conference of European Churches (CEC).

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Christian education organisations

ICCS is part of a wider community of organisations and associations concerned with religious education. In the Coordinating Group of Religious Education in Europe (CoGREE) they all work together.

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Researchers

Researchers are a very active part in the network. ICCS promotes exchange among them and common research projects about overarching topics relevant in various European countries. Within ICCS, researchers can connect to policy and practice levels.

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Correspondents

ICCS has a network of national correspondents with one or two representatives from each country involved. The task of these correspondents is to promote the idea of European cooperation in the area of church/school relationships in their own country, to contribute to ICCS activities on a European level and also to maintain close links with other correspondents and with board members.

NewsleTter

Please subscribe here for our newsletter published together with the International Association for Christian Education. Stay informed about debates, events and developments concerning Church and School issues in Europe.

Get into contact

You have become curious? Get into contact with us to learn more about Church and School issues around Europe and to get involved in the ICCS community.

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