London (UK), 8-10 October 2025 | Every six months, OIDEL is invited to participate in the General Assembly of the European Committee for Catholic Education (CEEC). This gathering brings together national leaders of Catholic education from across Europe to discuss key issues and strengthen collaboration.

The first day was held at St Mary’s University, where participants attended a one-day symposium marking 60 years of Gravissimum Educationis. Several experts reflected on the historical and contemporary relevance of this document, which was initially drafted to address Catholic schools but, after several revisions, evolved to encompass Catholic education more broadly – acknowledging that most children from Catholic families no longer attend Catholic schools.

The second and third days were dedicated to the General Assembly of the CEEC. OIDEL shared updates on the international scene and on its ongoing advocacy work, as well as information about its upcoming research projects. Representatives from various countries also presented the current challenges facing Catholic education in their national contexts.

For OIDEL, these exchanges are highly valuable, as they provide a clearer understanding of the realities non-governmental schools face at the national level and offer fresh insights into the issues that should be prioritized in our advocacy efforts.