The first Waldorf School was founded in Stuttgart, Germany in 1919. The movement, which subsequently developed from this one school, has given rise to 3,100 kindergartens, 850 schools and 150 therapeutically-oriented schools worldwide. Since the political events of 1989, over 90 Waldorf Schools have been established under the most difficult circumstances in Central Europe, Eastern Europe and Asia. In addition to advice and financial support, the most important need of the workers developing these schools is help in gaining formal pedagogical qualifications from Waldorf teacher training centres in the West.

Thus, in 1993, various initiatives, practicing teachers and organizations from Middle and Eastern Europe joined together to form an association.

The name "Internationale Assoziation für Waldorfpädagogik in Mittel- und Osteuropa und weitere östliche Länder e.V." (International Association for Waldorf Pedagogy in Middle and Eastern Europe and other Eastern Countries -abbreviated to IAO) takes into account the diverse nature of the above mentioned field of work. At the same time, the name expresses the level of partnership involved in this international cooperative effort.

The IAO currently organizes and supports over forty teacher training courses each year. The main focus of the work lies in further qualifying Waldorf teachers who participate in cycles of courses covering several years. Additionally, the IAO workers advise teachers already employed within Waldorf Schools in such issues as lesson planning, curriculum development and questions arising from school self-administration. By doing this, the IAO seeks to promote the independent existence of Waldorf Schools under the cultural, social and economic conditions of their respective countries. The schools only receive support from the IAO if it is requested by the relevant national organization.

Currently, the IAO is active in Armenia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, the Kirgiz Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldavia, Poland, Rumania, Russia, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Tajikistan, and Ukraine.

Translation and publication of material on Waldorf Education
Promotion of research in pedagogy
Support of publicity campaigns
Promotion of international exchange concerning educational issues
Arrangement of partnerships between European Waldorf Schools
Arrangement of study opportunities, school visits, practice-teaching sessions, and scholarships
Help in the provision teaching materials and other school requirements
Licensing the use of the names Waldorf and Rudolf Steiner in relationship to schools and pedagogy.

The IAO cooperates closely with: the Pädagogischen Sektion der Freien Hochschule am Goetheanum(Pedagogical Section) in Dornach, Switzerland; the Freunde der Erziehungskunst Rudolf Steiners e.V.(The Friends of the Art of Education),), a group promoting Steiner´s approach to education; the Bund der Freien Waldorfschulen in Deutschland e.V., the Federation of German Waldorf Schools; as well as numerous other national organizations and private initiatives.

The IAO is financed through membership fees, donations, and, most importantly, grants from charitable organizations.

Since the IAO is a recognized public body dedicated to promoting education and research,
donations made to it are tax deductible.

The IAO is administratively supported by the Bund der Freien Waldorfschulen in Deutschland e.V..

With this in mind, the IAO is determined to ensure that Waldorf Schools in all countries are able to develop and shape themselves in an independent and appropriate way. The IAO cooperates with all initiatives and institutions dedicated to the qualification and further qualification of teachers, and expressly works towards the establishment and consolidation of national teacher-training institutions.

We would be grateful for your supporting donation.

"Freunde der Erziehungskunst R. Steiner"
Postbank Stuttgart, Account Number: 39800-704, Bank Number: 600 100 70

Purpose of Payment: IAO