effe regards the organisation of schooling and education as tasks for society as a whole. A tolerant and  democratic society needs a free and diverse educational system. All people in Europe should have access to education, regardless of age, gender and social or ethnic background.

effe members campaign for the protection of human rights and for the promotion of educational diversity in order to meet the needs of individuals. Schools should educate responsible, free-thinking and creative individuals who will shape the society of the future through their active participation in it.

Experience is our best teacher. effe therefore facilitates international exchange so that we can learn with and from each other across national boundaries. Our vision is of a Europe of peaceful neighbours and cultural diversity within and between countries.

effe campaigns for the right to education and for freedom and diversity in education across Europe which includes:

• the unlimited right to education, excluding no-one
• freedom to develop one's own personality
• equality of opportunity through diversity of provision
• inclusion and support for all
• fair and equal treatment of educational institutions
• high quality provision
• professional autonomy
• teacher training as development of personality
• educational institutions as places to live and learn 

“Everyone has the right to education.”

This human right was first formulated by the United Nations in Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.