2016 INFOR 68 Ridef Dogbo
INFOR 68 DOGBO Bénin
To begin with, I would like to apologize on behalf of the Board for this huge delay. We have had great difficulties in putting in place an efficient functioning of our work.
We need help, both to be able to give you quality translations and to develop projects according to our goals, our visions.
Unfortunately, there were very few answers from the movements to our first appeal, a fact that didn´t help us much. Therefore we are launching a new appeal to all of you to join us in different work groups.
We would like to propose, during 2018, a revision of the Statutes. It is very important that you help us to make these changes. It is vital that we adapt our way of working to the evolution of society so that the FIMEM stays a dynamique association in contact with present times.
On our website we are going to create different work groups for the various documents that we have to develop and we hope that there will be many who want to participate, as enthousiastically as during our meeting in Dogbo!
Pleasant reading!
Sylviane
on behalf of the FIMEM Board
!A Letter from the Acting President, Sadikh Diaw
After the 1975,s RIDEF in Tlemcen ( Algeria), after the International Mediterranean Training in 19 70 in Tunisia and in Saint-Louis,( Senegal) in 2006, RIDEF 2016 holds its sitting in the african republic of Benin.The choice of this country is not accidental, it comes from the remarkable commitment and cooperative spirit of the Benin Association of Modern School (ABEM) in order to promote Freinet teaching strategies in its school system.
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In fact since the previous Ridefs on African land, the trainings initiated by the FIMEM in the Ridefs, the work done by the CAMEM in the RAEFs and the multiple invitations to the ICEM Congreses, the Freinet Pedagogy has experienced significant growth in our school structures.
This is therefore a just comeback of things that Benin welcomes the edition of 2016 on the topic "Citizenship education for a participative democracy." Late Eustache Prudencio a Freinet’s Beninese contemporian, was the first African teacher to introduce " Freinet techniques" in the 1950’s in Senegal, and later to teach them at the prestigious William Ponty School in Sébikotane (Senegal).
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Eustache Prudencio deeply believed in the Modern School Movement that, in addition to be a sharing philosophy of life based on democracy, cooperation, equality and equity, has become a wide socio-educational gathering for research innovation and social transformation through school. Movement of empathy and resilience against pervasive globalization, Freinet movement has transcended the vicissitudes of the teaching history by bringing together
teachers of various kinds from various continents who want to improve their professional practices towards a common ideal . !
That is this good will for cooperation and exchange between educators, combined to dialectic between "basic research" and "institutional innovation", which makes the Freinet movement be an innovative crucible for the building of a popular, democratic and secular school.
This means that the FIMEM dynamism lies on the ability of its various movements to resist,to adapt, to adjust and to react to the most modern and attractive proposals for a more human and fairer educational world.
It is in this perspective that the African continent and the African Coordination of Movements of Modern School (CAMEM) must bring their original contribution in the new educational paradigms.
According to the UN recommendations and after the Congresses of Jomtien and Dakar, Education for All (EFA) has become an intangible requirement which gives it the place of a "universal right"
"Education throughout life" also proclaimed by the great bodies of the educational world, including UNESCO, is interested in all forms of education in school and out of school.
Meanwhile, in spite of the holistic approach that characterizes us, the right to education can’t become a reality only if it is effective for all social strata. This right should be universally accepted and recognized to each and all.
In addition to the parity girl- boy underway in many of our countries, it is appropriate to ensure the sustainability of this acqusition by ensuring the retention of girls to keep on staying at school longer.
For its social role as defined in Freinet pedagogy, school should also participate,through a strong advocacy to a social and health protection of children vigorously fighting against all forms of discrimination and frowned practices as: female genital mutilations, early marriage, child labor, children soldiers, children migrants without papers, those of ethnic, linguistic and cultural minorities, to mention only a few.
The Freinet movement Renovators must also have as a "creed" to contribute to the transformation of our world fiercely fighting for the elimination of poverty, for inclusive growth, to a more inclusive school that supports all children in need, special education and the protection of our environment constantly threatened.
These actions of the innovative movements cannot have a significant impact without political recognition, philosophical, pedagogical and constant institutional support.
We need to question our practical educational opportunities for peace, cooperation and desire for a better future. In this perspective, education is today, both issue and challenge. Nelson Mandela said, "Education is a weapon that can change the world."
May the Dogbo RIDEF be the start.
INFOR 68 Ridef de Dogbo
Place : hotel le Kapokier and ENI- Dogbo
Present:Temporary president: Sadikh Diaw (ASEM Sénégal)
Treasurer: Mariel Ducharme (CQEM-Québec - Canada)
Administrator: Giancarlo Cavinato (MCE - Italie)
Edouard Dohou ( ABEM- bénin
Deputy member: Sylviane Amiet (FGR-GSEM - Switzerland)
Summary
- Meeting of the Board with the organizing group of the RIDEF
- The RIDEF Budget
- Refund policy in case of non-attendence in the RIDEF
- Opening Ceremony of the RIDEF
- General Assemblies
- Forum Day
1. MEETING BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THE RIDEF ORGANIZING GROUP
The Board met the organizing group of the RIDEF in Bénin to enquire about things done and to report on what is still to be done.
Prepare the rooms for the long workshops
put out garbage bins in the courtyard and in the bedrooms
ensure the payments of all the registration fees
The Board also wanted to know:
if there was sufficient materiel for the workshops to function smoothly
if there were translators available during the entire RIDEF
how many video projectors there were
what organization was made for the reception of the participants
The Board of the FIMEM also asked the organizers to
make a site map of the RIDEF area
make assessment forms for the RIDEF
prepare themselves for the handing over of the flag to Sweden, the organizer of the RIDEF in 2018
2. THE RIDEF BUDGET
Luc HERBRETAU, working as a volunteer for the ABEM (The Bénin Freinet movement) presented the budget of the RIDEF of Dogbo.
Vote
For 3 Against 1 Abstention 1
The budget was approved
3. REFUND POLICY
in case of non-attendence at the RIDEF
The organizers of the RIDEF will refund the costs due to an absence caused by
- illness
- visa refusal
and only after a presentation of justification documents within 3 months after the RIDEF.
4. OPENING CEREMONY OF THE RIDEF
Edouard Dohou presented the program of the 10 days of RIDEF
The President of the ABEM Jean Dayé delivered the Opening Speech
Sadikh Diaw read the traditional Letter from the President
The Head of the ENI de Dogbo (Teacher Training College of Dogbo) and the Mayor of Dogbo presented their speeches. The Head and the Mayor welcomed the choice of the city of Dogbo and of ENI as the site for the RIDEF. They reassured the participants of the security of the place during the 10 days of the meeting.
The Cabinet Deputy Director, representative of the Preschool and Primary Minister expressed her best wishes to FIMEM and RIDEF in her speech
Giancarlo Cavinato delighted us with his memorial slide show about the life of Freinet
We closed the Opening Ceremony with a parade of our flags
AGENDA for THE GENERAL ASSEMBLIES
Installation duprésident et dusecrétaire de l'AG.Installation of apresident and asecretary of the GA.Instalaciòn delpresidente y del secretariode la A.G.1Rapport moral 2014-16.Moral report 2014-16.Informe moral de las actividades de la FIMEM 2014-16.2aBilan financier 2014-2015-Financial report 2014-15.Informe financiero 2014-15.bBudget prévisionnel 2016-17Preliminary budget 2016-17Presupuesto provisional 2016-17.3Orientations de l’AG 2014 -bilanOrientations (GA 2014)Orientaciones( GA 2014).4Évaluation du CAApproval of the BD.Valoracion de la gestiòn del CA5aPolitique de remboursement des frais du CA.Refund policyPolitica de reembolsos de los gastos Del CA.about BD expensives.bOrientations2016-2018.Orientations2016-2018Orientaciones 2016-2018.cRèglement intérieur.Intern Rules.Reglamento interno.6aLignes directrices pour la solidarité.Hot lines for solidarity.Lineas directrices para la solidaridad.bLignes directrices pour les projetsHotlines for projectsLineas directrices para proyectoscCatégorisation et cotisation des pays ABC.Categories and cotisation for countries ABC.Categorizaciòn y cotizaciòn de los paises ABC.dCritères pour lescandidats au CA.Criteria for the candidates of BD.Criterios para las candidaturas al CA.7Propositions pour la RIDEF 2020.Proposals for the RIDEF 2020.Propuestas para la RIDEF 2020.8Élections : des candidats au CA. des nouveaux membres de la FIMEM. des commissaires aux comptes.Elections
of the candidates for the BD.
of the new members of FIMEM.
of the auditors.Elecciónes :
de candidatos al CA.
de los nuevos movimientos, miembros de la FIMEM.
d’auditores de cuentas.9Questions diversesDifferent questions.Asuntos diferentes.
FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
Wednesday the 20th of July 2016
During this Assembly, the Interim President presented the Activity Report of the Board for 2014-2016.
This report was sent to you in May 2016. You can find it on our website: https://www.fimem-freinet.org/fr/node/2655.
You will also find the following documents - sent to you during the spring of 2016:
Guidelines for solidarity and for projects: https://wwwfimem-freinet.org/fr/node/2542
A project for categorization of the member countries: https://www.fimem-freinet.org/fr/node/2702
Workplans 2014-2016: https://fimem-freinet.org/fr/node/2655
Workplans 2016-2018: https://fimem-freinet.org/fr/node/2655
The Assembly asked for clarifications of the different documents presented by the Board.
SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
Saturday the 23rd of July – held in language groups
The different documents, prepared by the Board were discussed in langugage groups. The various positions were to be presented during the Third Assembly.
THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY - decisional, Tuesday the 26th of July 2016
Chairman of the session: Andi
Secretaries: Aurélia and Salifou
Tellers of votes: Gita and Koffi
Delivery of voting slips to the delegates: 25
1. Activity report 2014-2016
The Spanish-speaking group supported the ideas and the proposals of the Board for the promotion of the FIMEM and the RIDEF.
The French group demanded the reports to be sent in time in order to enable the movements to discuss the questions of FIMEM at their national General Assembly
Rémy (ICEM) suggested that the last sentence of the report should be deleted.
Flor (Mexico) thought it would be a good idea to have a workshop held by the members, who have a large experience of the RIDEF, for the benefit of those organizing the following RIDEF.
Votes in favour of deleting the last sentence:
For 8 Against 0 Abstentions 16
Votes for adopting the activity report
For 23 Against 0 Abstentions 0
2a. Financial report
submitted by Mariel
The report covers the period from July 2014 to December 2015. Exceptionally it is spread over 18 months. It has been audited by Birgitt (Austria) and Andy (Switzerland).
The RIDEF of Reggio yielded a large surplus of 27 000 euros.
France wanted detailed information on the line about expenses, the first 5 lines:
communication, equipment, Board expenses, advertising, projects.
Mariel answered that the expenses refer to the management and the rental of the FIMEM website, to the booking of buildings and rooms and to equipment...
2b. Estimated budget for 2016-2018
Mariel explained that the left column is from the budget adopted by the General Assembly. The budget is estimated for the two coming years.
An expenditure of 46 000 euros is estimated. The sum of 32 000 euros remains in bank for the end of 2016.
The English-speaking group proposed the creation of a working group, made up of volunteers, to work on the future budget.
Andi pointed out that the inscription fee for the RIDEF has been reduced to 2500 euros instead of 4500 euros in order to permit the participation of more Africains.
The Swedish group said they would not need a loan of 10 000 euros: Therefore a sum of 8 000 euros could be divided into two parts: 5000 euros for solidarity for the 2018 RIDEF and 3000 euros for travel expenses of the Board.
Votes on the budget (with modifications)
For 24 Against 0 Abstentions 0
The Provisional Budget was approved.
Reading of the proposal to grant discharge for the accounts by the President and the Auditeur.
Vote on the Financial Report 2014-2015:
For 24 Against 0 Abstentions 0
The rapporteurs were thanked by acclamation
3- Workplans/Orientations 2014 - 2016 Statement
The English-speaking group said that the literature about Children´s Rights is already large: it would be better to publish a bibliography of the existing documents in different languages. This work has already started,specifically by the association Les Amis de Freinet ("The Friends of Freinet") and by Michel Mulat.
The Spanish-speaking group proposed that we create a support group for the Board for the period between RIDEFs . They also wanted to present a motion on democracy, the theme of this RIDEF.
The French-speaking group underlined the problem of functioning in the Board and proposed that we create a group of "resource persons" that could help the Board - rather than a group of "wise people" – a group where delegates, secretaries and presidents from the movements could be included.
Giancarlo was of the opinion that we need a group that can accompany the Board between RIDEFs. The delegates are often replaced from one RIDEF to another. Therefore there is no following up of decisions taken.
Solange and Sadikh will try to define the role of delegates in relation to the presidents and the secretaries of the movements.
4. - Assessment of the Board
Flor(Mexico) asked if it would´nt be a good idea if all the members of the Board wrote a report like the one Giancarlo(Italy) had submitted.
Sadikh (Senegal) wished that there was some oral communication before the president of the Board informed them of his/her written proposals to the other members. He specified as well that Giancarlo´s document only expressed his personal opinions and not those of the whole Board. Sylviane (Switzerland) stressed that the activity report, though, is collective.
Hélène (France) pointed out certain failings in the communication and asked herself how we could connect and communicate better with the movements. She proposed to call upon help from the movements if there was too much work for the Board.
ICEM (the French movement) said that the documents arrived too late to be discussed at their General Assembly.
Rémi meant that Giancarlo´s text involved the Board. He expressed his agreement with the substance of the text.
Sadikh insisted that everyone should understand the text as he wanted and that it was up to the movements to take into consideration the dates of the RIDEF when they decided the dates of their own general assembly.
The English-speaking group stated the fact that there was a problem with the translation of the documents (difference of meaning, problem of comprehension and readability).
5a - Refund policy for the expenses of the Board
The Board has chosen to refund its members for the costs of lodging only for a maximum of one day before and one day after the meeting, This enables the members to be in time for their work from the start.
5b - Forward-looking programme: 2016 – 2018
The English-speaking group is preoccupied by the difficulty of finding the documents on our website and asked for its reorganisation. They pointed out that the translations are often inexact.
The archives of the FIMEM are stored in the same place as those of ICEM and Les Amis de Freinet. Michel Mulat works on them but he really needs help to classify, according to a rigorous chronology, the large quantity of existing documents.
Mariel asksed for the documents about the previous meetings of the Board.
Flor asked for a motion in support of the Mexican teachers.
Comments:
Rémi proposed an intermediate General Assembly and an e-mailing list of the delegates which will permit other people to join the discussions and the work of the Board...
Rémi wanted the text to specify what international organisations they concern. Giancarlo pointed out: the ones about Children´s Rights, UNICEF, UN, EU...
Hélène and Jossard requested a modification of the text: " Encourage and help the movements to share their actions in their respective communities..." in order to develop them into a federation
Flor read out the resolution concerning Mexico, posted on the wall of the GA room: ”encourage an education reform without controlling the teachers, win back decent and regular salaries, stop repression, guarantee the freedom of speech, all in order to construct a model of education that the country needs.
France was against the reduction of the frequency of the Board meetings: if we want to innovate the Board and make it work better, it is not the way to go.
More translators are needed for the website, some of them having a knowledge of legal and administrative vocabulary. We also need "proof-readers" to check the texts linguistically.
The question of ”a group of wise persons" caused debate: the General Assembly, as well as expressing the need of people having participated in the Board and in many RIDEFs, also wanted to enable other members to serve the Board with their skills and experience.
5c – Internal Regulations
In spite of the argumentation of Sylviane concerning the points 4 and 11 and after a long discussion, the General Assembly decided that the propositions for amendments ought to be proposed again by the Board at the RIDEF of 2018.
6 - The Board documents
The participants noted the effort made by the Board to produce these documents but they didn´t take time to submitt them for approval.
General observations made by the groups:
Observations made by the Spanish-speaking group:
We have analysed all the points, we accept the forward-looking programme of the Board as it is, we think their suggestions are good, as they are based on the practice of the Board during these two years.
We approve the idea of a group of resource persons to help the Board.
We propose that the movements look for partners in order to finance the RIDEFs as they did in Italy with the project Grundtvig.
We propose that we draft a general motion about the importance of enriching the democratic practices, of a democracy applied in practice - also in our schools.
Observations made by the French group:
We have noticed that it is always the same persons who come to the RIDEFs with the help of solidarity money, often retired people. It is therefore necessary to clearly define the criteria for solidarity.
When it comes to the categorization of countries, the group found classification problems and suggested the creation of a group of reflection on this subject.
They also pointed out that it is important for the candidates to the Board to have a good internet connection and a strong commitment to the task. The group doesn´t find any solution that would give everybody the same chances to be a candidate for the Board.
7 - RIDEF 2020
Mariel and Asma presented their proposals jointly
Quebec in 2020 and Morocco in 2022
Votes:
For 24 Against 0 Abstention 1
The two RIDEFs were accepted
8 - Elections
8 -a Election of the Board
Mariel Ducharme (Canada) and Edouard Dohou(Bénin) will continue their mandate
Elected to the Board
Sylviane Amiet (Switzerland): 19 votes
Antoinette Mengue (Cameroun) 25 votes
Nuccia Maldeira (Italy) 25 votes
8 - b Affiliation of new movements
There were no candidates
8 - c Election of auditeurs
Elected:
Birgitt Gubo (Austria) and Andi Honegger (Switserland) with 23 votes
9 - Other issues
Edouard reacted on an article in paper no 6
Hélène justified her right to express her sentiment
Giancarlo pointed out that the Board has received the guaranties for a fair treatment of the ENI students (the Teacher Training College of Dogbo where the participants lodged) during our stay.
Solange proposed an applause for the elected persons
The Spanish-speaking group proposed a motion. It was to be distributed the following day.
Flor (Mexico) repeated her request for a motion to support our Mexican collegues.
Wanda (Austria) asked the RIDEF participants to use Facebook or the site to celebrate 120 years of Freinet, created by the Austrian movement.
6 – Forum Day
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