The History of ECHO

During 1999 Michael Baker received the Addresses of various Healing Organisations throughout Europe, known to the Dachverband Geistiges Heilen e.V. He subsequently wrote to them, as well as some that were known to him in Great Britain, suggesting they have a Round Table conference.

The aim of this conference was to discuss Healing, the possibilities/opportunities in the various countries within Europe, as there are so many different rules and regulations regarding the practice of Healing, for example as there are here in Germany.

It is our opinion that we have an Umbrella Organisation for European Healing Organisations, which could take up negotiations with the European Parliament, to establish the situation on a European level.

During 1999 we had our first European Round Table Conference for Healing Organisations throughout Europe in Aachen.

The following agreement was reached during this conference, supported by 8 Countries and 19 participants: (CH, D, DK, F, GB, L, N, NL).

1. That they acknowledge the existence of different therapeutic methods and trainings and respect therapeutic traditions and individualities of each country.
2. That the needs of their patients are at the centre of all their efforts; patients have a human right to qualified treatment and are free to choose between therapies and healers/therapists.
3. That healers and therapists in Europe have the right and the obligation to define and control themselves, the procedures of quality assurance and training.
4. That in all countries the right to heal must be maintained, or, if necessary, gained.

To achieve these objectives, they offer to work with anyone.

Aachen, 26. September 1999

In the year 2000 we held the second Conference, with different participants from 11 Organisations from 8 European Countries:

16 Participants (CH, D, DK, F, GB, L, N, NL,).

At this point it was decided that ECHO (European Confederation of Healing Organisations) should be founded. The conference dates were agreed for the 23/24 June 2001 in Copenhagen. At this conference the first committee was voted in and the regulations were agreed.

Michael Baker