In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 9, 2007, the board of EUROCLIO, the European Standing Conference of History Teachers’ Associations, called upon national authorities and school principals in Europe to provide a better leave policy to enable history teachers to travel abroad to receive professional training and participate in conferences. The statement, which was sent to various international teacher and principal organizations, international bodies such as the European Union and the Council of Europe, and national ministries of education in Europe, pointed out that such travel opportunities give teachers “the chance to learn in a intercultural setting, which enriches the quality of teaching and of education in general.”

The statement grew out of discussions during the annual conference of EUROCLIO, held March 20–25, 2007, in Bled, Slovenia (on the theme, “Human Rights Education: Lessons from History”), when many participants described the difficulties encountered in obtaining leave and traveling to such international gatherings, which are also training opportunities.

This post first appeared on AHA Today.