2. Instruments
3. Aims and activities for 2008
4. Working scheme 2008
1. The mission of ESHA
The work of ESHA is based on the vision
“We, school heads in primary and secondary education, build the economic and social future of Europe”
and on the overall goals and aims:
- discussing and developing views within the ESHA-membership on innovative education and on school leadership
- promoting these views on the European level
- influencing the policy of the European institutions (Commission, Parliament)
- promoting international Exchange and cooperation
- supporting the member organisations to play their role on the national level
- emphasizing the particular role of the school head and promoting conditions that improve the quality of school leadership
2. ESHA instruments
ESHA involves all possible means to attain the goals that are mentioned above.
Vision papers
Every year ESHA develops within the membership one or more Vision Papers on fundamental educational issues. Developing these papers is an intense process, in which the members exchange their views and learn from the different approaches.
To have a European position and perspective to present this to the European and national Institutions and governments
In publishing the Vision Papers ESHA expresses the influence of school leaders on the international discussion and policy.
ConferencesESHA organises international conferences where school leaders from all over Europe do meet and have exchange on views and experiences. Presentations are done by excellent speakers and in all kind of workshops, representing the best of educational practice.
ESHA EB and GB members support the national conferences of our member organisations by presence, workshop, speeches etc.
International Projects
ESHA has been a partner in various EU-funded projects during the past years. These projects offer the framework for further international cooperation and exchange on special issues, and are especially helpful for starting organisations in new member states. ESHA will support future projects mainly through dissemination and as speakers in Conferences
External Contacts
Contacts are important to attain the ESHA goals. This holds for contacts with European institutions like European Commission and European Parliament. But also for other European and international organisations in education like AEDE and ETUCE (teachers), EPA (parents) and OBESSU (students), or for expert organisations like European Schoolnet, CEC, CCEAM, ICP, NASSP, OCP, (please see related organisations)
Communication
In order to maintain the common network, to further the work of the member-organisations and to distribute its views, ESHA uses various instruments for communication.
Regionalisation
Of course meetings are the most intense way for internal communication, but not always the easiest and quickest ones. Also ways for more frequent communication are used, such as mailings, newsletters and website. Additionally, ESHA is taking care of regional cooperation in the following regions: Scandinavia, Baltic States and Poland, Russian speaking regions of Eastern Europe, South East Europe, Southern Europe, Great Britain and Ireland, German speaking countries and regions, French speaking countries and regions.
Internal Organisation
Characteristics for a good internal structure for ESHA should be:
- a highly committed General Board and Executive Board
- a lot of communication within the GB and between GB and EB
- a representation in all countries for both primary and secondary education.
- a sound financial situation
With these characteristics the aims are set, but none of them is fully applicable at this moment.
3. The aims and activities for 2008
Vision papers
- New vision for ESHA’s Future and position papers:
- Working conditions of school heads
- Childrens’ rights
Projects
The EB recommends the use of an external consultant to advise on the implications for involvement with all future ESHA projects, including the following of preliminary risk assessment protocol in order to ensure that the correct EC regulations for financial compliance are fully met by ESHA. The protocol will be circulated at GB meeting. However, ESHA will prefer the involvement in the projects where ESHA has a role as a disseminator.
In 2008 ESHA will continue its participation in the project European School Leader Network (ESLN), if there is a need to develop new modules. ESHA will make a decision on the participation PISA 2 –project , if the prerequisites – particularly the financial prerequisites - are acceptable
To support the following projects:
- Homestays (AVS)
- Cosmos
- Food4u (Italy)
- Internet Radio (Danmark)
Separate initiatives by member-organisations will be supported, if possible.
Contacts
In 2008 the Executive Board and the Secretariat will pay extra attention to contacts with the European Commission and the European Parliament. ESHA is recognized as one of 10 key stakeholders in the educational field and is invited to all conferences and meetings of the European Commission following the Lisboa protocol.
Participation and Communication
In 2008 the members will meet twice, in March and in November.
The new ESHA-Letter is aiming to be disseminated to all members of our member organisations including summaries in different languages.
The new website is planned to improve the electronic communication of all member organisations:
- the ESHA Library with documents, speeches and research results of all member organisations in different languages
- to start an interactive website
Internal Organisation
- reconsidering the work of the Executive Board (the minimum term of office in EB will be prolonged for two years)
- replace some meetings by regular video conferences
- more active commitment within GB
- work on a new secretariat structure
- exploring extension of membership
4. Working scheme 2008
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January |
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Februar |
EB meeting |
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March |
GB and EB meeting |
Presidential report budget 2008
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May |
EB-meeting |
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September |
GB and EB meeting ESHA Biannual Conference, Copenhagen |
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November |
GB-meeting and EB meeting |
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December |
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Continuously |
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