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Teachers and education support personnel are the cornerstone of a sustainable, equitable, peaceful, and democratic future for all communities worldwide. This was the message delivered by top global union leaders at the 10th World Congress of Education International (EI) held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Unions are indispensable to democracy

“We need strong unions and to invest in your profession. As educators, all of you are important for our children and their future. We owe you a debt of gratitude for your contribution to the world,” stated UNI Global Union General Secretary Christy Hoffman in her speech to the EI Congress.

Hoffman emphasized the importance of the global union movement for workers around the world, stressing that “all workers should have a chance to join a union and engage in collective bargaining.”

Furthermore, “unions are indispensable to democracy. And workplace democracy is crucial: when workers are organized, they are more engaged in elections, have more confidence in their democratic system.”

The union leader highlighted the power of solidarity that fuels hope and drives change and concluded her speech by reminding education unionists that “our voice matters. When we fight, we win!”

The world’s transport workers need qualified educators

International Transport Federation (ITF) General Secretary Stephen Cotton started his allocution by expressing “special appreciation for EI leaders and the teaching profession, who stood up during the COVID period and set new standards for trade union leadership.”

Cotton also recognised the importance of attending the EI World Congress in Argentina, “where the government wants to destroy decades of progress for workers’ rights. We say ‘Yes’ to international solidarity. Your fight is our fight!”

Acknowledging that the world of work is changing, the ITF leader noted that “technology is being promised as a way to make the world better. We will make sure workers have a seat at the table when it comes to change.”

Highlighting the importance of international union solidarity, Cotton said: “I am proud to have been part of a solidarity mission in Ramallah with other union federations, including EI. Of course, we want a cease fire. ITF will stand up with workers of both sides, Israeli and Palestinian.”

ITF and its member organisations are “determined to make sure that our workers get the skills they need from you. We are determined to ensure there are qualified education workers for our members.”

Cotton concluded his speech by underlining: “Educators mean so much to the world. We have to stay strong, we have to stay united, we have to stay determined, because you have the world’s future in your hands. We will stand by you!”

Creating a better world for a new generation through inclusive quality education

The International Federation of Building and Wood Workers (BWI) General Secretary Ambet Yuson highlighted that “unions must make the world better and change fear to hope”.

Yuson also expressed solidarity with Argentinian trade unionists, noting that attacks on trade unions threaten the public good for the benefit of a few.

Addressing the over 1,200 educators present, Yuson stressed that “if students know how to exercise their rights, engage in a debate, it is thanks to a teacher. If they hope to create a better world for a new generation, it is thanks to a teacher, thanks to an inclusive quality education.”

“We owe the next generation our solidarity and our collective action to build a future with social justice and peace,” Yuson concluded.

Education is fundamental for democracy and trade union values

In his message to Congress, the General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Luc Triangle said that “we face a rising tide of authoritarian and totalitarian regimes that don't protect the freedoms and rights of workers, minorities or trade unions”. The 11th edition of the ITUC Global Rights Index shows the severity of the situation.

Triangle paid “tribute to the amazing work you are doing as teachers, educators and as trade unionists at a critical moment for the trade union values that we uphold, and particularly for democracy.”

“Your role as teachers and educators is key to embedding these core democratic values and promoting a culture of peace and social justice. With the foundations laid by you, we can win the rights at work that allow democracy to flourish”, the union leader stressed.

Triangle also noted that “new forms of artificial intelligence are now affecting every sector of society and work, from education to medicine to transport to trade unionism. Governments must take up their role to regulate technology, data and the use of algorithms to ensure that they are employment and worker friendly.”

These messages of steadfast support and solidarity from the global union movement were well received by Congress participants, providing renewed energy to the discussions on growing education unions, elevating our professions, and defending democracy.