Cooperation and exchange

In order to enable citizens to remain in charge of their own life, even when problems exist, the Eigen Kracht Centrale cooperates with government bodies (provinces and municipalities), (social) care institutions, youth care institutions, client platforms, supporters of client boards,  organizations of the elderly, educational institutions, housing corporations, volunteers and many other organizations.

Also, the Eigen Kracht Centrale exchanges experience and expertise with various organizations and platforms. Amongst these, People Building Peace Nederland, a network of about fifty civil organizations that jointly strive for a culture of peace and non-violence, EropAf, a movement in favor of an outreaching approach to citizens, and Restorative Justice Nederland, a consortium of organizations that promotes a restorative approach to citizens in society.

International

The Eigen Kracht Centrale has cherished the inspiration from abroad and has maintained good contacts. This has resulted in a mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge, experience, research and products, thus maintaining a high work standard. Colleagues from abroad visit us regularly and employees of the Centrale get invited in return. Internationally, the Netherlands emphasize the democratic and citizen aspects of FGC.

  • In 2002, the Eigen Kracht Centrale, together with colleagues from England, established a EU-network for Family Group Conference (FGC), which organizes yearly exchanges. Many European countries have joined this network, amongst them all Scandinavian countries, Belgium, the Russian Federation, Poland, Germany, Slovakia, Ireland, Ukraine, Serbia and Hungary.
  • Eurochild is an international network of organizations and individuals, dedicated to improving the quality of life of children and young people in Europe.
  • The Centrale participates in yearly conferences of the American Humane Association, which, in the U.S.A. covers FGC. Here too, a lot of interest is shown in the emphasis that the Centrale puts on citizenship.
  • The Centrale is a member of the European Forum for Restorative Justice and participates, together with England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Belgium, in the EU-project ‘Conferencing, A Way Forward For Restorative Justice in Europe’.
  • At the invitation of several countries, the Centrale assisted with training and implementation of FGC. Contact with these countries is maintained at a regular basis and all profit from the exchange, support and consultation: Germany, Belgium, Hungary, Slovakia, the Russian Federation, Poland, Serbia, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Herzegovina and Ukraine. The Dutch Antilles are involved as well.

Current projects

Since 2009, FGC is ‘work in progress’ in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In close cooperation with the Hogeschool van Amsterdam - University of Applied Sciences, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), experiences between countries and organizations have been exchanged and training and consultations have been provided. The implementation of the Family Group Conference principle eventually leads to a shift in paradigm within society. Citizens and their network increasingly take on responsibilities and tasks. Professionals are letting go of the conviction that they know ‘what is best for people’. Coherence increases. The first FGC’s have been held and they offer a hopeful perspective. People from the various populations that live in Bosnia and Herzegovina cooperate in good spirit in this project. Differences are being put aside and things that people have in common get more attention.

Start with a seminar

The Eigen Kracht Centrale follows a strict protocol when approached from abroad for help with the introduction of FGC/Eigen Kracht-conferences. First, interested parties are asked to organize a Seminar in their own country. Each group whose life will change when FGC is introduced, gets invited. These may include government, civil servants who develop policies, professionals and civil organizations. They know the local situation and they are able to make a well informed decision during the seminar whether or not FGC suits them and what needs to be done to effect this change.

The seminar is conducted as if it were a FGC. This enables participants to experience how an activating decision model works and feels, as it will for families. The first part consists of an information phase. Information is provided on FGC, what it is, how it works, what the effects are, what makes it different, and what citizens think of it. Research results and conditions for adequate implementation are discussed. The second part is the private time, just like during a FGC. Participants discuss whether they want to go ahead with FGC and what is needed for a good implementation plan. The result of the seminar is an informed decision with two possible outcomes:

  1. Interesting, but it does not suit our situation.
  2. A plan with conditions to enable adequate implementation of Eigen Kracht-conferencing.