In South America, the first Waldorf schools were established more than 70 years ago; today, in Argentina and Brazil the work is well established and recognized by the government.  In Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Uruguay, Waldorf kindergartens and child care programs are often oases in the midst of poverty and challenging social circumstances.

Three-Year Part-time Training Course
The International Association has provided initial support for a three-year part-time “traveling” kindergarten training course, designed so that many early childhood educators from various regions of the vast South American continent could participate. The program began in Lima, Peru; its second session took place in July 2006 in Cali, Colombia, and first group of students have completed their course in July 2007 in Argentina. 

Collaboration Among Colleagues
Another major project of the IASWECE has been to provide travel support to allow colleagues from Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador to come together to discuss issues of common concern, broaden their possibilities for collaboration, and to work toward the forming of a South American Association.  Financial support is needed to help with travel expenses for kindergarten teachers, early childhood educators, and visiting teachers on this vast continent.

For further information contact Ines Spittler, Lima, Peru, liaison from South America to the IASWECE Council, inesspittler@netscape.net

For information on partnerships and sponsorships and other projects in South and Central America, contact Geseke Lundgren, IASWECE Coordinating Group member, at g.lundgren@iaswece.org.