Facing Equivocations, Tightrope Acrobatics

During the first ten years, the designers of the IBE had to face key problems when trying to make their mark in the complex web of associations and organisations that assumed the mission of preserving peace on earth. The chapter focuses on a selection of controversies with new education organisations like the NEF, with teacher organisations that combatted the LoN and above all the IICI. It shows the difficulty of positioning oneself without generating misunderstanding and dissension, suspicions and reproaches and, worse, blatant ostracism for the IBE promoters. Faced with certain ambiguities, they were constantly debating to clarify among themselves and in respect of their protagonists what the IBE’s position was, aiming to strengthen its independence and legitimacy, without losing supportive alliances. The chapter is completed with an insert on the IBE-WFEA rivalry.