From 10 to 11 February 2025, the Board of ICCS gathered for an in-person meeting in Amsterdam. Participants included Heid Leganger-Krogstad, Tania ap Sion, Bianca Kappelhoff, and Werner Haussmann. The meeting focused on two main topics: the organisational restructuring of ICCS and initial reflections on its future direction.
Dissolution of Charity Status
Tania ap Sion reported on the progress of dissolving the charity status (non-profit organisation according to Welsh law) of ICCS , which had been officially decided at the members’ meeting in December 2024 and is now nearing completion. Importantly, ICCS as an organisation will continue to exist.
The Future of ICCS – Initial Reflections
In an open discussion, key questions were raised regarding the further development of ICCS:
- Who are we aiming to reach through our work – decision-makers or other stakeholders?
- Does representation at the Council of Europe as an NGO still make strategic sense? How can this be realised? Which of the Council of Europe’s current topics are still relevant for ICCS? What can ICCS contribute?
- Should smaller, thematically focused working groups be considered as alternative formats beyond traditional conferences?
- Would it be helpful to place more emphasis on the concrete professional benefits for participants?
- Should ICCS strengthen its focus in Northern or Central Europe?
There was clear agreement that ICCS should continue to keep the topic of religion – in all its dimensions – on the educational agenda, particularly in the context between church and school.
It was also agreed that traditional formats of participation are increasingly difficult to sustain: people engage when relevance, visibility, and real impact are evident.
The group expressed a shared interest in exploring new ways forward.
