Barcelona. 15 September. 2007 IFED International freedom in education day. Why this International day in Catalonia? The first and main objective is to let it be known to all, and especially to the families of our country, that mothers and fathers have the possibility to educate themselves and their children and adolescents( and in diverse ways ). In a conversation with friends and acquaintances who have children in their charge, the majority will say that school is obligatory ( some believe that it is so from three years of age, for some, even nursery school is), the problem is that of confusing `school attendance´ with `education', the latter yes being obligatory. The possibility of educating children and adolescents in a different way from school is only known in very specific cases (lesser abled children, sports people of a high level, ...) The second objective is to make evident that Spain is the last country in the European area (apart from Germany which is still dragging a law proclaimed during the III Reich) in which the legislation still does not contemplate the possibility of Homeschooling, despite both the Spanish Constitution (Art. 27-3) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Art. 26-3) prioritizing the right of parents to choose their children’s education. The third objective is to create a large cohesion between the families who have chosen home education for their children, so that their children will be recognised and respected in their approach of learning and that they will not be discriminated against at the moment of obtaining academic diplomas (ESO and Bachillerato). At present the independent exams in order to obtain the secondary diploma is from the age of eighteen. This the second year that this day is celebrated in Barcelona and the first year in an International environment. During the first fortnight of September diverse events will take place such as meetings, conferences, etc in England, France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Guatemala, United States, etc. … The International Days for the Freedom in Education of this year will end with a concentration in front of the European Parliament of Strasbourg to highlight the theme `HUMAN RIGHTS AND HOMESCHOOLING'. It is because of all this that we draw attention to the state and in particular the Catalan institutions so that in conjunction with the people who are directly implicated, a process of legislation is started in order that the option of Homeschooling in Catalonia is recognised. This day in Catalonia is convoked and organized by `Educar en Familia´ The Catalan association for the Recognition and Regulation of Homeschooling. The convocation is open to all those people and entities who practise or defend the Freedom in education and Family Education (Homeschooling, Home-education, Natural learning ...etc) even when they are not members of the association. Supporting this manifesto does not imply any ties to the association.

[email protected] www.educarenfamilia.org

http://jipli.free.fr/