As accepted September 16, 1995 in Hamburg

A. Aims

The AIMS of the EUROPEAN FORUM FOR TEACHERS OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION are

• to contribute to the international cooperation of teachers of Religious Education/Religious Studies (RE/RS) in the theoretical and practical aspects of their work
• to strengthen and promote the position of RE/RS in schools in the member countries and in Europe in general.

B. Methods of Working

• The aims of EFTRE are to be achieved through
• conferences, seminars and teachersÕ exchange programs
• cooperation with appropriate organizations, institutes and departments of RE/RS
• exchange of information about RE/RS in schools in Europe to members of EFTRE, to national and international governmental bodies and to the public in general
• establishing contacts with the main political bodies of Europe in cooperation with other organisations.

C. Membership

Members of EFTRE can be

• associations of teachers of RE/RS in the school systems of Europe
• institutes or departments concerned with the training of RE/RS teachers and the support of RE/RS in schools in Europe.

Associate members can be

• individual RE/RS teachers from countries in which no RE/RS association exists.

D. Structure

General Assembly

The General Assembly meets every third year in conjunction with a triennial conference. Its main purpose is to establish EFTRE's priorities for the following three years. The General Assembly consists of one representative from each of the member organizations of EFTRE. The agenda of the General Assembly must include the following:

• Chairman's report
• Treasurer's report
• Confirmation of the board
• Common activities and projects.

Board and Executive Committee

The board meets once a year and consists of one representa-tive from each member nation, chosen by the member organizations of EFTRE within that nation. Only these members have voting rights, but the meeting is open to one representative from all member organizations. The board is responsible for furthering the aims of EFTRE and for publishing an annual report to the members. This includes both the arrangements for the triennial conference and the activities mentioned under B. The board elects among its members a chairperson, a secretary and a treasurer. These three together with two other members elected by the board constitute the executive committee. The executive committee acts on behalf of the board and represents EFTRE during their term of office. The executive comittee is responsible for preparing the board meetings and the General Assembly.