History of IfEP

2017

Eva Maria Waibel and Thomas Happ initiate the idea of founding an association dedicated to the further development and dissemination of Existential Pedagogy.

2018

Additional partners join the initiative: Doris and Andreas Hausheer as well as Veronika Möltner.

April 15, 2019

First strategy retreat in Dornbirn, where the institute’s name – Selbst.Wert.Sinn (Self.Value.Meaning) – Institute for Existential Pedagogy – emerged, and where the foundational ideas and intentions where further clarified and deepened.

June 19, 2019

Submission of the association's statutes to the Dornbirn District Authority for recognition as a nonprofit organization.

June 24, 2019

Approval of the statutes, initially with Eva Maria Waibel as Chairperson and Thomas Happ as Secretary.

Summer 2019

Designing the website, developing a training program, clarifying memberships, cooperation formats, and target groups; and drafting the concept for a regular newsletter.

October 5-6, 2019

Second strategy retreat in Innsbruck with Thomas Happ, Veronika Möltner, Andreas and Doris Hausheer, Karoline Graswander-Hainz, and Eva Maria Waibel. Task distribution: Andreas Hausheer becomes Vice Chairperson. Doris Hausheer becomes Deputy Secretary.

Development of a flyer and finalization of the training program.

February 23, 2020

Third strategy retreat in Berlin, marking the start of regular educational trips to Elisabethstift. Karoline Graswander-Hainz steps down from the board due to her career-related studies. Christoph Wund joins the board as Treasurer. Development of the IfEP logo.

From March 2020

Cancellation of in-person events due to COVID-19 and transition to digital formats.

Summer/Fall 2020

Shift of activities to internal projects due to COVID-19.

Preparation of the book "Wertschätzung wirkt Wunder. Perspektiven Existenzieller Pädagogik". Creation of a brochure that opens an accessible path into the world of Existential Pedagogy by Doris and Andreas Hausheer. Revision of membership management.

October 5, 2020

Book presentation of "Wertschätzung wirkt Wunder" at the Dornbirn City Library.

Fall/Winter 2020/21

Hosting of numerous online events.

February 4, 2021

Fireside conversation with the members to reflect on and further develop the training program. Emerging idea: to offer four thematic evening sessions per year in response to the growing number of members.

March – December 2020

Five online board meetings.

January – December 2021

Eight online board meetings.

First general assembly, re-election of the board, and approval of the financial statement. As of September 2021, a new distribution of responsibilities within the board.

July 3, 2021

Fourth strategy retreat in Klaus.

Decision to include advisory board members to strengthen the team:

Kerstin Ibele Llambés

Andreas Moz

Bettina Speckle

Jasmine Vallaster

Launch of Instagram and Facebook presence.

Summer 2021

Foundation of the Existential Pedagogy Network in Germany by Esther Kohl ([Link]).

Fall 2021

Dornbirn Sparkasse Innovation Award.

October 11, 2021

First meeting of the organization team for the symposium "Selbst.Wert.Sinn – A Pedagogical Treasure Hunt".

Eight planning meetings and approximately 1,000 volunteer hours contributed.

June 24, 2022

First symposium titled "Selbst.Wert.Sinn – A Pedagogical Treasure Hunt" at Pförtnerhaus in Feldkirch with 250 participants.

September 2022

Launch of the Master’s program at PH Linz.

Highlights from our Thematic Evening Series:

• March 17, 2021 – Implementation of Existential Pedagogy
• June 9, 2021 – Parental work from an Existential Pedagogy perspective
• September 9, 2021 – Daniela Klingler: Value- and meaning-oriented pedagogy in kindergartens
• November 30, 2021 – Presentation of the brochure "Von Selbstwert und Eigensinn"
• February 7, 2022 – Help, not again! – Handling challenging behaviour with composure
• June 13, 2022 – Gunther Hessel: Wars, Crises, and Catastrophes
• September 19, 2022 – Eva Maria Waibel: Book presentation "Haltung gibt Halt"
• November 28, 2022 – Doris and Andreas Hausheer: Catch me when I’m at my best! – Working with potential