The International Organisation for the Development of Freedom of Education is an international organisation not connected with any government whose sole purpose is the development and defence of the freedom of education. Founded in 1985 by forty statesmen, educators, and parents of school children, the organisation now includes members from over 40 countries on all five continents. It is independent of political movements, religious institutions, an economic interest groups. OIDEL collaborates with international organisations in their effort to protect human rights, with special emphasis on the right of freedom to education. It assists government in defending and enlarging freedom of education in their countries.