Who we are
In the Eigen Kracht Centrale vision, citizens have access to a lot of strength – through their social network, their own circle of people. That is why the Eigen Kracht Centrale itself has been organized as a network of connecting circles. The organization is characterized by an informal, democratic structure with short lines of communication.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of the Eigen Kracht Centrale consists of:
Rob van Pagée, 0031 (0)6 - 22 50 07 88, robvanpagee [at] eigen-kracht [dot] nl
Fiet van Beek, 0031 (0)6 - 4058 55 26, fietvbeek [at] eigen-kracht [dot] nl
Our roots
Making a plan within the own circle - family, friends, neighbors, church communities, etc. – has been common practice for ages, all over the world. The rediscovery of this work method dates from the ’80 of last century, when, in New Zealand, it was investigated why youth care did not come to grips with the Maori population. Through Maori input, the importance and the position of the family system was recognized. This resulted in the development of Family Group Conferencing (FGC), which was incorporated in legislation in 1989.
Different approach
This Law also contains a mandate for Youth Justice Conferences, restorative conferences for under aged who have committed a crime for which they might be prosecuted. In these meetings, the families of both perpetrator and victim are asked to assemble and to make a (restorative) plan to present at court. It may seem unusual that a different approach to families was laid down in legislation on social care. However, FGC is not regarded as a social care method, but as an important step in the decolonization process in which minorities regain rights they were deprived of earlier.
Restorative Justice
Restorative justice originated in the seventies of last century, when, in the U.S.A. and Canada, a start was made with mediation between perpetrators and victims of crimes. The idea was taken up by the Truth Committee in South Africa. From 1995 onward, Family Group Decision Meeting (FGDM) has been supported by the American Humane Association through training, research and congresses. In the United Kingdom, the Family Rights Group is the promoter of developments in this area. Through restorative justice, the conflict is given back to everyone involved in an incident, to come to a solution together. This does justice to all parties involved.
All over the world
FGC was taken up all over the world, in the Netherlands as well. In the nineties of last century, a number of progressive youth care professionals got together to see how this model could be deployed in the Netherlands. In 2001, this resulted in the founding of the Eigen Kracht Centrale, and in the very first conference.
