Ei-iE

International trade agreements that prioritise the needs of big business over society, working people, and the environment were given the ‘thumbs down’ by delegates at Education International’s 7th World Congress in Ottawa, Canada, on Wednesday, 22 July.

During the Congress’ second plenary, delegates heard about the risks to education associated with trade agreements such as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA), the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). They were discussing the resolution (1.13) to Stop TTIP, TISA, CETA, TPP and Other Similar Trade and Investment Agreements. The resolution was proposed by unions from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Portugal, Germany, Greece, Ireland, France, and New Zealand.

Threat to democracy

Delegates from Argentina, the United States, Ireland, and the United Kingdom argued that the inclusion of all public services, including education, in these trade agreements, was a direct threat to democracy. “Workers cannot expect anything good to come out of these agreements,” said an Argentinian delegate.

The resolution, which was passed resoundingly, mandates the Executive Board to include trade and investment agreements as a key part of the agenda for EI’s Task Force on Privatisation and Commercialisation of Education. It is also mandated to work with other influential partners and non-governmental organisations in campaigning against detrimental trade and investment agreements, including proposals emanating from the World Trade Organization.