European Master of Craft Tour

Purpose

The building crafts have not only created great testimonies of cultural heritage by building cathedrals, palaces and castles, but also modern buildings and other monuments which are an elementary potential of the identity of people all over the world. Valuable artistic principles and skills of craftsmanship plus the best possible quality of standards have to be preserved and fostered for the culture of today and for the future in order to be able to complete these works.

It is essential to be aware of the significance and the obligation of this heritage and the responsibility of the task for the future.

Who are we?

The EACD association preserves and promotes valuable issues for today‘s culture and for the time to come. It represents legal entities, usually in the field of building crafts and professions in the field of building culture and the preservation of historical monuments. It also represents vocational training facilities, craft associations, private associations, foundations and professional associations that have the same interests and matters of concern as the EACD or represent related professions or similar disciplines.

The EACD does not have any commercial targets. Owing to its scientific character it promotes studies and researches on professional and sector-related problems and possibilities that are of common interest for its members. Due to its pedagogical character, the EACD fosters the publication of results of studies, measures and issues of vocational and advanced training, recommendations and statements as well as information and the exchange of information.

Development

Due to the various legal systems in European countries, there are great differences in the respective educational systems. Stonemasons and sculptors are particularly able to work together to promote the culture of their own craft. Many centuries ago there was already an international network of masons‘ lodges at the major cathedrals in Europe as well as an excellent training system for that time. This is the origin of a craft identity that is deeply rooted in the history of many eras and is still present today. In Europe, which is getting closer together, there is a chance of working on a common target and to promote it for the use and profit of society.

This is the reason why, since 1998, we hold annual meetings of international experts. In 2003, at the 6th Soest Talks in Brussels at the UEAPME, the EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF BUILDING CRAFTS AND DESIGN, the EACD, has been constituted, articles of association have been passed and the 1st general assembly has been held. This put the common aim of the international circle of friends to a more official level.

Training measures

The main common tie between the members of the EACD is the mutual striving for high comparable standards and to constantly improve the quality of practical and academic training in vocational training and graduation in the building crafts in Europe. A MASTER OF CRAFT degree should be established all over Europe, an equivalent to the MASTER OF SCIENCE degree.

In 2006, for the first time, and following an international call for applications, eight carefully selected candidates were sent off on a tour of Europe. In Brussels, in the spring of 2009, the appropriate committee of the EACD awarded the title of EUROPEAN MASTER OF CRAFT after the successful completion of all the requirements.

As a result, the carrying-out of a follow-up action was unanimously agreed on. This second tour will take place from 2010 until 2012. The official nominations will be sent out before the end of 2009 in accordance with the selected applications.

The planned individual dates for this tour are as follows:

Station 1 February 8 – 19, 2010
Station 2 November 8 – 19, 2010
Station 3 February 28 to March 11, 2011
Station 4 November 14 – 25, 2011
Station 5 February 6 – 17, 2012
Station 6 March 19 – 23, 2012, in Luxembourg and Brussels

The first allocations and groupings will take place at a meeting of participants at the end of January, and the others will follow step by step.

 Herr Jürgen Prigl President der EACD.

 

EACD Members:  Ungarn, Lettland, Großbritannien, Schweiz, Frankreich, Österreich, Norwegen, Niederlande, Italien, Slowakei, Schweden, Kroatien, Slowenien, Deutschland, Luxemburg.