Ei-iE

The EI 6th World Congress meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, from 22nd to 26th July, 2011,

Recognising that:

1. the rapid deterioration, due to the global financial crisis, of the economies of major importers of goods from Asia-Pacific countries has serious implications for the growth and stability of the economies of many Asia-Pacific countries;

1. the occurrence of major natural disasters in the form of flooding and earthquakes in the Region has placed an enormous burden on the economies of both developing and developed countries in the Region;

1. the deteriorating economic circumstances in many countries in the Region is jeopardising the capacity of national governments to maintain and increase public investment in education, social services and public infrastructure;

1. the economic circumstances of many of the poorest families is leading to an increase in child labour and withdrawal of children, and especially girls, from school;

1. in many Asia-Pacific countries levels of participation in tertiary education are relatively low and falling;

1. progress, which had been made towards the achievement of the MDGs and Dakar Goals for Education For All in the Region, is being jeopardised and undermined by the effects of the global economic crisis and of natural disasters;

1. deregulation and privatisation of public services, and, especially of education, reduces access and increases inequalities in society;

1. the economic circumstances of many countries in the Region is being used to justify attacks on trade union rights and to reduce salaries and pensions.

Demands that

1. the inter-governmental agencies and financial institutions insist on increased investment in public education and infrastructure in Asia-Pacific countries as a response to the effects of the global economic crisis;

1. the international financial institutions support the rebuilding of the education systems and public infrastructure in countries which have been devastated by natural disasters through low interest loans and through grants for public investment;

1. all countries in the Region prioritise investment in public education as the most effective way to stimulate economic growth and social stability and cohesion;

1. national governments recognise the value of entering into partnership with trade union organisations in planning and implementing programmes for economic recovery and development;

1. national governments and the international financial institutions cease undermining the already inadequate terms and conditions of employment of many education and other public service workers in the Region as a means of restoring national economies.