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The 10th World Congress of Education International (EI) honored the Distinguished Associates—those remarkable representatives of member organizations who have significantly propelled the development of EI. This recognition is a testament to the tireless efforts and unwavering dedication of these individuals in asserting their humanist convictions and striving for peace, justice, and democracy across the globe.

A wonderful adventure

According to Odile Cordelier of the Syndicat national des enseignements de second degré-Fédération syndicale unitaire (SNES-FSU) in France, « being a national activist and then being active within the international teacher union movement is an adventure that has left a deep mark on me. A wonderful twenty-year adventure! For having discovered other countries and cultures, different union practices and the meaning of commitment to international solidarity, I thank everyone.”

“I invite young activists to also get involved in this adventure,” she concluded.

Sharing common challenges and dreams

“I am surprised and honoured to receive this valuable recognition,” Eva Elmstedt Frisk of the Swedish Teachers' Union said. “The focus of my work has been to support the organisational development of the sister unions, starting from an analysis of their needs and always having the members’ perspective and needs in focus.

She added: “Two areas have been very much present in my work: Gender and internal democracy. It is important that the leadership of unions are representing different groups of members and their experiences. I have also been involved in the financial part of organisational development.”

“In our organizations within the EI-family, we share many common challenges and dreams. It is for me a great privilege and a mutual learning experience to have been given the opportunity to work with colleagues around the world. Together, we are stronger!” Elmstedt Frisk highlighted.

Asserting humanist convictions

Luc Allaire of the Centrale des Syndicats du Québec (CSQ) in Canada said: “It is with great humility that I receive this Distinguished Associates Award from Education International, because all the credit goes to the organizations I represented. First, the CSQ, where I am responsible for international relations, which allowed me to develop cooperation projects in different French-speaking African countries, in Haiti and Colombia, where we adopted a decolonial approach to cooperation. Second, the Comité syndical francophone de l’éducation et de la formation, where the French-speaking unions elected me general secretary from 2014 to 2024. I was thus able to contribute to the promotion of the trade union Francophonie within EI.”

“These contributions allowed me to assert my humanist convictions and my inclination to develop meaningful links with activists all over the world, with a view to improving peace, justice and democracy,” he stressed.

Working for the union: A lifestyle

“For me, working for the union is not job - it is a lifestyle,” Tore Asmussen of the Danish Union of Teachers (DLF) acknowledged. “Being recognized for this dedication to the cause is very rewarding and satisfying.”

He went on to state: “It makes me proud realizing what a prominent group of role models I am part of in receiving this honourable recognition. Viva EI! Solidarity forever! »

Creating a powerful collective voice in defence of public education

“I am grateful that I could make an impact on the international stage, working for many years with education unions around the world to create a powerful collective voice in defence of public education,” Patricia Keefer of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) in the United States noted.

She also explained that she had been “privileged to witness how we were able to expand the International Summit on the Teaching Profession, a crucial platform for global discussions on education, and strengthen the ties between Education International, the OECD, and UNESCO, promoting collaborative efforts to improve educational standards and policies. These partnerships have facilitated the exchange of best practices and fostered a more inclusive approach to educational development, benefiting teachers and students worldwide.”

She also said that she was “pleased to have been able to champion gender equality, working with education unions across the globe to ensure that women, especially those from marginalized communities, have the opportunities and support they need to succeed.”

Receiving her award, Isabel (Cuqui) Vera Belmonte of the Federación de Enseñanza CC.OO. (FE.CC.OO) in Spain also thanked EI and its members organizations for the inspiring opportunity offered to work with colleagues from the entire globe, sharing experiences. Being nominated EI is a strong incentive for me to continue my union activities worldwide, she said.

Uncountable opportunities of learning and sharing

“When I received the message notifying me about the recognition of my work by presenting me with the Education International Distinguished Associates Award, I felt that it was a bit exaggerated. I just did my job as board member and International Secretary of my union,” Trudy Kerperien of the Algemene Onderwijsbond (AOb) in The Netherlands said.

She acknowledged: “I couldn’t have done it without all of you, all the unions from around the world constituting EI, all the very inspiring teachers and education workers that I have met over the years. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to acquire the knowledge about education and the experience in unionism that made my work possible. Being amongst you brought me uncountable opportunities of learning and sharing, and if my work has been of value to the developments within EI, it is also because of you, colleagues from around the world. You have definitely enriched my world.”

I feel honoured, and will proudly accept the Award, she concluded.

Sharing the same values and passions

“To receive this recognition is a humbling but wonderful and unexpected honour. Sincere thanks to the many partners – including EI staff – who have become friends as well as collaborators and colleagues. We share the same values and passions for the work we do, which has been enriching both personally and professionally. Life is work; work is life - and thanks to you all, it is a GOOD GOOD life,” Beverly Park of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF-FCE) said.

She also explained that “partnership is a defining word for the work I have done – partnership with my own member organizations, with other unions with whom CTF works in consortium, with EI Regional Offices and with EI Brussels.

I thrive on the relationships built while consulting, co-planning, and co- facilitating programs and projects, she said, welcoming the fact that “my work has taken me to multiple countries on every continent where I have worked alongside colleagues, many here present at this congress.”

She went on to stress: “My proudest accomplishment was assisting the teachers in Afghanistan to form a National Teachers Elected Council, which achieved EI registration in 2015! The first leader Mr. Fazel Ahmad Fazel continues the fight to keep some form of that organization alive – hoping it will survive the Taliban.”