History of IPC
In its earliest years, IPC was a very modest place that depended a great deal on the manual work of the students. Its founder, Peter Manniche, believed that if people from countries that had been former enemies could live, work and study together in the context of a folk high school, this would be part of a small step towards international understanding.
Beginning in 1921, the college buildings consisted of a run-down manor house, a small cottage (today’s office) and a large farm building used as a barn for housing horses and livestock. When you come to IPC as a student today you don’t have to live above the farm animals or have your meals all pushed together into the basement of the Manor house - the accommodation today is of course modern - but the ideals of IPC are still the same as those of the founder, Peter Manniche.
.jpg )
These ideals of Manniche and IPC are grounded in the mainstream of the Danish folk high school tradition (the Grundtvig/Kold tradition - named after the original inspirers) but placed in the context of an international meeting place for cross cultural development.
Peter Manniche’s ideals have stood the test of time and our founder received several honours in recognition of his achievements as the leading Danish adult educator and worker for peace and international understanding. Such recognition has included the following: nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize by a Danish Prime Minister; the preface to one of Manniche’s widely read books being written by Indian Prime Minister, Nehru; an honorary doctorate from Springfield College, Massachusetts, for distinguished services to adult education.
IPC has always been a landmark institution in international adult education and indeed the first UNESCO international conference on adult education took place at the college in 1949.
So when you come to IPC you are placing yourself in a long-standing innovative tradition: not only will you be taking part in a long term folk high school course, but also, chances are that you could participate in a conference with an international perspective or meet with groups of overseas adult educators.
IPC has a colourful history: in the forefront of progressive education in the nineteen twenties; a leading centre for the liberal education of unemployed workers in the Depression-ridden thirties; survival, even though evicted from its own premises for part of the German occupation in the forties - indeed right up to the present time IPC has always been a lively place. So, welcome to IPC. You are joining a continuing experiment in international adult education working for peace and international friendship. Your contributions to the life of the college are important and we wish you a life-enhancing stay with us.
Max Lawson
Max Lawson has written: The International People’s College 1921-96: A Celebration of 75 Years of Working for Peace and International Friendship. You can buy this book from the office for 100 DKr.
Beginning in 1921, the college buildings consisted of a run-down manor house, a small cottage (today’s office) and a large farm building used as a barn for housing horses and livestock. When you come to IPC as a student today you don’t have to live above the farm animals or have your meals all pushed together into the basement of the Manor house - the accommodation today is of course modern - but the ideals of IPC are still the same as those of the founder, Peter Manniche.
IPC has always been a landmark institution in international adult education and indeed the first UNESCO international conference on adult education took place at the college in 1949.
So when you come to IPC you are placing yourself in a long-standing innovative tradition: not only will you be taking part in a long term folk high school course, but also, chances are that you could participate in a conference with an international perspective or meet with groups of overseas adult educators.
IPC has a colourful history: in the forefront of progressive education in the nineteen twenties; a leading centre for the liberal education of unemployed workers in the Depression-ridden thirties; survival, even though evicted from its own premises for part of the German occupation in the forties - indeed right up to the present time IPC has always been a lively place. So, welcome to IPC. You are joining a continuing experiment in international adult education working for peace and international friendship. Your contributions to the life of the college are important and we wish you a life-enhancing stay with us.
Max Lawson
Max Lawson has written: The International People’s College 1921-96: A Celebration of 75 Years of Working for Peace and International Friendship. You can buy this book from the office for 100 DKr.
