The european school – from post war idealism to a present-day cultural opportunity

Since 1953, the year in which the first European School was founded, publications and systematic research on this unique form of international nursery, primary and secondary education have been limited and fragmented leaving it as relatively blank spot in the international education arena. This book is the first-ever in the almost 60-year history of the European School that removes the obscurity and misconceptions that exist about it in a comprehensive manner. It describes, analyses and evaluates its position emanating from the main research question: what are the most important causes for its rise, what developments has it seen and what results has it achieved considering the studies and careers of its alumni. Furthermore, it is critical of some of its practices, makes suggestions for improvements and opens a debate about future developments. It also touches on current internationalisation efforts and structures in secondary and higher education in some European countries. Currently there are 22 European Schools in 11 countries with at present more than 36,000 holders of the European Baccalaureate Diploma, which is an entry qualification for higher education. This book is ‘a must read’ for anyone interested and involved in the European Union, the European Schools, (international) education, politics, history, sociology and culture studies. It is also highly illuminating for past, present and future generations of parents, pupils, teachers and governors of the European School or any other educational establishment. This book contains 5 summaries in total, with Dutch, French, German and Italian as tributes to the founders of this first attempt at European cross-cultural cooperation in the aftermath of WWII.