Ei-iE

More than 300 activists from 76 countries have participated in the 25th World Conference of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Motofumi Makieda, one of the leaders who laid the foundations for the creation of Education International, passed away in Tokyo on 4 December. He was aged 89.

Education International congratulates Thulas Nxesi on his appointment as the Deputy Minister for Rural Development and Land Reform. Mr Nxesi served as Education International's president from 2004-2009.

As teacher trade unionists around the world mark International Day for Human Rights on 10 December, EI salutes the bravery of teachers who strive to tackle the violation of peoples' basic rights to live with human dignity and respect.

On 10 December, International Human Rights Day, EI commemorates the struggle for women’s rights, and looks forward to inspiring discussions at its first World Women’s Conference in Bangkok from 20-23 January, 2011.

OECD’s influential Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) report, which gathers information on education systems, schools, families and students through surveys of school leaders, students and parents is launched, but where – asks EI – is the voice of teachers?

Education union leaders at EI’s African Regional Conference have voted unanimously to adopt a resolution that demands OECD countries keep their promise of supporting programmes to achieve Education for All (EFA) goals.

More than 200 representatives of 120 education unions in 53 countries across Africa have taken part in the seventh EI African Regional Conference in Brazzaville, Congo, from 29 November to 3 December.

Norah Tebaweesa, Olivia Muhumuza and Anthony Oluka, have each won Uganda’s Teachers Making a Difference Award which seeks to recognise those teachers that have made big contributions to the communities they live in.

Delegates at EI’s Africa Regional Conference in Brazzaville, Congo, are debating ways in which to address the enormous challenges facing education and educators across the continent.

Teachers pledge to continue engaging in strategies that improve prevention and treatment of HIV as the year for achieving Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment and care draws to a close.

An HIV-positive teacher has lodged an appeal against a district court ruling that said an education bureau in China's Eastern Anhui province did not employ him after learning of his HIV status.

The European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) has opened a call for external expertise on a Europe-wide survey on the impact of psycho-social factors on teachers.

Italian student protesters have been out in force in the capital, Rome, and other cities as MPs debate a bill on education reform.

Representatives of teachers’ unions from around the world make significant progress towards adopting a collective policy document at EI’s Annual Development Cooperation meeting in Brussels, Belgium, from 18-19 November.

Teachers from the Dominican Republic have been holding demonstrations throughout November to demand 4 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) be spent on education in 2011.

On 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, EI pledges to accelerate its awareness programmes and union education activities to prevent violence against women.

“Today is a good day for teacher trade unionism in Europe. We are showing unity and solidarity, and are going be able to use our resources more effectively."