Tvind

Tvind is the name of an alternative school system in Denmark, there also called Tvind Skolerne.

History

Beginnings in the 1970s

The Tvind school was founded by a group of young people in 1973. Several young teachers went by minibus on a field trip to India, Afghanistan and other countries. Under the premise of "Travel and Learn " they thus established the first school project, which called itself the " Required Seminar" and continued training as a teacher as a target. In the foreground stood Amdi Petersen, who decisively shaped this project. In northern Jutland in Ringkøbing then an old farm ( Tvind Gaarden ) was purchased, whereupon then the name refers Tvind and converted into a school. During the oil crisis and the energy debate in the 1970s, the former participants of the seminar for teachers launched the project of the Tvind mill. The aim was to prove that an alternative to nuclear energy was present with wind energy. Per ad people were sought to build the largest wind power plant in the world. On March 26, 1978 begannt electricity production. The built with a used gearbox, generator and main bearing plant was the largest wind turbine in the world for several years. At the same time the school project grew. It a private school ( Friskole ) and an after-school ( Efterskole ) were founded. Later came even added a secondary school / high school, and a "Technical Production School " (corresponding to a vocational school for technical professions).

Tvind enjoyed great popularity at the time, though not in Denmark itself, where alternative schools because of the liberal school laws were quite numerous. Initially, the " hippies " ridiculed in the rural environment as "the left spinner " or " hash- smoking do-gooders ". Later, the prejudices grew and resulted in fisticuffs between Tvindschülern and residents. Nevertheless Tvind drew many young people from Scandinavia, England and Germany. A special attraction introduced the principle of " Traveling and learning " dar. For this was the very well-known in Denmark fairytale "Pelle the Conqueror" Godfather, by a part of the core message describes the necessity of traveling and learning in unity. Thus, each school old buses, which have been expanded had served with sleeping facilities and quasi -propelled classroom for long study trips. Goals were both the North African and the Asian region. In the 80s Tvind expanded and several new schools were established at other locations within Denmark, later. Well as in other countries, ranging in the USA Because of the liberal legislation in Denmark compared to alternative schools, Tvind with government support could expand ( up to 85 %) financially quickly. Within the so-called group of teachers applied the principle that the salaries wandered into a community fund and each person will receive a bag of money.

Criticism in the late 1980s

The late 1980s was the Tvind financial practices, which built more capital strength with real estate and other businesses, voiced criticism in Denmark. In the eyes of the Danish population practices Tvind were considered disreputable and tax policy in Denmark was increasingly skeptical about the project. Also, the fact that a group of Tvindschülern from a trip to Ireland had independently hitchhike home, sparked outrage. The sinking of the training ships Tvind, in which human lives were lost, aroused skepticism about the safety and logistics of enterprises Tvind. Outwardly, the teachers schotteten from information to the media.

Tvind then founded the international relief organization UFF ( Ulandshjælp fra Folk til Folk ). This occurs as Humana in other countries organization made ​​with clothes collections and projects in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean soon negative headlines. Much of the money was used for interests of the now matured into an Empire Tvind system. The inter- social structures within the teaching group were critically by reports out ascended members insights allowed into the otherwise closed community of teachers. From brainwashing, manipulation and collective psychological pressure was talk, and a comparison to Scientology was drawn.

Special law and prosecution

1996 all Tvind schools in the government subsidy was withdrawn by special law. Nevertheless, almost all the schools continued to work - but with a lower number of students and very poor financial conditions. Meanwhile, the focus was on the care of difficult adolescents applicable, their stay was paid directly by the youth welfare offices. A single school renounced Tvind and is a recognized and funded private school ( Efterskole / Højskole ). The ideological leader Amdi was under indictment for tax evasion, so emphasized the Danish state all funding for Tvind schools and thus brought the Tvind system in a precarious position. The financial and reputational damage meant that the schools have publicly largely foreclosed.

On 31 August 2006, the court case for tax evasion by Amdi and seven other accused was acquitted for seven of the eight defendants. Steen Byrner, which admitted a partial debt during the process, was sentenced to a suspended sentence of one year and 80,000 kroner fine. The trial of Amdi was continued during the summer in the absence of Amdi. Amdi has now left Denmark and is sought worldwide by the police. In January 2009 the Tvind spokesman Poul Jørgensen deceit was found guilty and sentenced to two and a half years in prison. He was responsible to have diverted money to private companies and this tax does not explain.