Outcomes of the 27th EI Executive Board Meeting
Already the largest of the global union federations, Education International continues to grow stronger. EI now comprises 384 member unions in 169 countries and territories. Together, they represent more than 30 million teachers and education workers across the world!
As of 1 November 2006, 44 unions with a combined membership of 467,710 teachers and education workers were admitted into EI membership at the 27th EI Executive Board meeting held in Brussels from October 25-27, 2006. Thirty-seven of those unions had been affiliated to regional bodies of the former World Confederation of Teachers. New countries with EI members since February 2006 include Bolivia, Iraq, Madagascar, Somalia, Liberia (reinstated), Djibouti (reinstated). Serbia and Montenegro now count as two separate countries. The new EI membership list is available here.
Leading up to the World Congress in Berlin, the Executive Board agreed to propose four resolutions based on the different elements of the Congress theme: Educators – Joining Together for Quality Education and Social Justice. The board will also propose resolutions on pay equity and the gender dimensions of international migration.
Board members heard reports of activities in all of the EI regions but focused particular attention to Latin America, where member unions have great difficulties promoting quality education and decent working conditions. As well, activists face grave violations of their human and trade union rights, especially in Colombia. Board members also expressed concern about repressive measures against teachers in Oaxaca, Mexico.
The need to find ways to help improve conditions for teachers in China was another key topic. Executive Board members decided to establish a special advisory body, to organize a workshop in Hong Kong on the role of education unions in promoting democracy and human rights, and to support groups of teachers in China with training on professional and trade union issues.
For more information on the board's decisions, please download the following files.
