Ei-iE

Almost forty teachers’ union leaders have assembled in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to participate in a workshop on gender equality. The two-day training, which was held from 28-29 March, was organised by EI’s African Women Education Network (AWEN).

The Council of Global Unions, to which EI belongs, has issued a statement to the 2011 meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank to demand they “pay as much attention to employment deficits as they do to fiscal deficits and to take co-ordinated action to support job...

EI has condemned the violent dispersion of peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations in Swaziland by the riot police and army.

EI and eight other human and labour rights organisations have expressed dismay at parliamentary proceedings in Iran intending to pass a law wiping out an independent civil society in the country.

24th July, the third day of the forthcoming EI World Congress in Cape Town will be dedicated to breakout sessions. This time round, the number of breakout sessions has been reduced and the duration of each session has been lengthened so as to enable participants to engage more in debates...

Bob Harris, EI Senior Consultant has chaired the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Working Group on Education, Training and Employment Policy since 1994, shortly after the creation of EI.

The April issue of EI’s flagship magazine is packed full of articles from around the world of education.

The Yemen Teachers Syndicate asserts that at least three teachers have been killed during the past two weeks of unrest. "We know of three teachers that were shot during the recent protests," says Yehya Alinai, spokesperson for the Syndicate.

On behalf of teachers and education workers around the world, Education International extends sincere condolences to the families and school community of the victims of the tragic shooting that took place on 7 April in Tasso da Silveira primary school in the Realengo district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The website features new social media links, improved site navigation and enhanced multimedia to provide readers with the most relevant news and information in the field of ICT for Development and Education in Africa.

Education International (EI) is deeply concerned that workers and their trade union representatives in Bahrain are facing a wave of coercive violence and massive dismissals, in apparent reprisal for their participation in legitimate strikes and protest actions for democratic change.

On 7 April, World Health Day, Education International reaffirms its commitment to the education of women and girls around the world.

Teacher unionists in Morocco have staged a two-day nationwide strike after recent demonstrations for better benefits ended in violence.

French teacher unions have issued a joint statement following on the recent district elections in France, which have seen a growth in support for the far right party, the National Front, asserting that “educators oppose the policies of the extreme right.“

The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF), EI’s largest affiliate in Canada, has responded to the Prime Minister’s call for early federal elections on 2 May by asking people to “vote for candidates who give priority to education and public programs that support the well-being of children and youth.”

This conclusion was drawn by Professor Davison Munowadawafa at a meeting on school health and safety, evaluating the outcome of the EI EFAIDS programme.

While teacher unions are determined to continue to voice demands for more freedom and rights in the region, EI keeps receiving worrying reports about attacks against teachers and unionists.

Mr. Maina Kiai, chairman of the Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC), has been appointed by the Human Rights Council as Special UN Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association for a period of three years.