International Folkemøde for Educators - International People's College

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A Call to Action

International Folkemøde for Educators:
A Global Gathering for Folk High School Practitioners

In a world facing deepening challenges in education, democracy, and peacebuilding, folk high schools remain crucial spaces for dialogue, empowerment, and action. This summer, educators from around the world are invited to gather at the International People’s College (IPC) in Elsinore, Denmark, for a five-day folkemøde—a space to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen the global Folk High School movement. Hosted in partnership with Menneske Først, this gathering will foster solidarity among educators and collaboratively shape future initiatives to sustain and expand the international Folk High School community.

We are all learners; we are all teachers.

The five-day program will feature dialogical learning sessions led by participants, networking opportunities to build lasting connections, excursions to key cultural and educational sites in Denmark such as Vartov Culture House and and local Folk High Schools, and more.

Open to practitioners at all experience levels, this gathering is designed for those who work within or are inspired by the Danish Folk High School tradition and the philosophy of its founder, N.F.S. Grundtvig. Together, we will collaborate, teach, and learn, exploring concrete ways to strengthen and sustain our global network. Key outcomes will include enhancing communication networks, appointing regional ambassadors to strengthen local connections, and coordinating online and offline initiatives.

At a time when in-person engagement is more vital than ever, this gathering is a call to action—an opportunity to reconnect, reimagine, and shape the future of folk high school education for the 21st century.

We invite you to join us this summer in Denmark and be part of this transformative initiative.

Dates: July 14–18, 2025
Location: International People’s College in Elsinore, Denmark
Price: 6.500 DKK – including all sessions, excursions, accommodation and meals (without accommodation – 5.000 DKK) – 10 % discount for students and IPC Alumni

Register here – available soon

Programme

The program is not yet finalized, and changes may occur. If you want to know more details about the different activities, read the Programme Session Descriptions. Feel free to contact programme coordinators Dr. Julie Shackelford or Mette Højland if you have any questions.

About the Programme Coordinators

Mette Højland

Mette Højland has lived her life in the free schools in Denmark both as a child and an adult. She is educated from the Independent Academy for Free school teaching in Ollerup, Denmark, and she is also an educated life coach. She has worked as a folk high school teacher for 22 years (Brenderup Højskole from 2000-2005, and Nordfyns Højskole 2005-2022), and is a co-founder of the association “Menneske først – LifeDialogues”. In 2024 Mette published a book about folk high school spirit titled: What you say, makes me think – folk high school from within.

Julie Shackelford

After completing her PhD in 2015, Julie relocated to Elsinore, Denmark and began teaching at the International People’s College (IPC). While her research and teaching interests are broad, her time at IPC has drawn her deeply into the folk high school tradition and its potential as a catalyst for self-enlightenment, democratic engagement, and community-building. Julie is in particularly fascinated by how this educational model can resonate not only in Denmark, where it originated, but also in places like Syria and her home country, the U.S., where such ideals are urgently needed. At IPC, she currently teach Education and Democracy, alongside a number of other courses. Read more – Julie’s LinkedIn profile.

The International People’s College

The International People’s College (IPC) is the perfect host for the International Folkemøde for Educators because it embodies the very essence of the Folk High School movement on a global scale. Founded to promote international understanding and lifelong learning, IPC provides a unique, community-driven environment where educators from around the world can engage in meaningful dialogue and exchange ideas. With its rich history, international outlook, and deep connection to Grundtvig’s philosophy, IPC offers the ideal setting to strengthen global networks, inspire new initiatives, and shape the future of Folk High Schools worldwide. Located in Elsinore, close to key cultural and educational landmarks, IPC ensures that participants can both experience and contribute to the living tradition of the Folk High School movement.