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Teachers, union leaders, and legislators from eleven countries came together in Fortaleza, Brazil, for the Global Education Seminar, a two-day event held to coincide with the G20 Education Ministers’ Meeting. The event served as a platform to discuss strategies to strengthen public education amid a complex global landscape.

International cooperation: a key issue

The Global Education Seminar, held on 29 and 30 October 2024, was organised by Education International affiliates CNTE, CONTEE and PROIFES of Brazil.

Heleno Araújo, president of the CNTE, highlighted the transformative power of education, stating, “we have the power to transform this world into something closer to what we hope and dream of for all. Education is the driver of this transformation, and we must act from within our workplaces to give our actions a global reach.”

The event was attended by representatives from Germany, Angola, United States, Costa Rica, Guinea-Bissau, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, Cape Verde, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil. Education International’s General Secretary, David Edwards, and President, Mugwena Maluleke, also took part in the event.

In his contribution, David Edwards underlined the fundamental role of unity between education workers around the world: “Strengthening union organising and promoting solidarity between teachers and education support personnel around the world are crucial to transforming education and society as a whole.” He also stressed the need to address the global teacher shortage and to protect teachers’ rights, especially in an increasingly unequal world.

Mugwena Maluleke praised Latin America’s resilience and leadership in education, recognising the region as a model of cultural and social diversity in education settings. Maluleke encouraged the participants to stand up against inequalities that disproportionately affect indigenous and Afro-descendant communities and to call for policies that foster a more equitable and inclusive learning environment. He also stressed the importance of incorporating climate change education into school curricula, bringing environmental concerns to the forefront of educational discourse.

The event was also attended by two members of Education International’s global Executive Board, Roberto Baradel, Deputy Secretary of CTERA, Argentina, and Maike Finnern, President of the GEW education union, Germany.

In his address, Roberto Baradel expressed CTERA’s solidarity with the struggles of teachers worldwide and reiterated the call for peace in the world. He also stressed the importance of the international solidarity that saves lives in Latin America and around the globe.

Maike Finnern emphasised how essential “education is for strengthening democracy”, especially at a time when extremist parties and authoritarian policies are gaining ground in Germany. She pointed to the 200,000-teacher shortage in her country, calling for strategies to attract more young people into the teaching profession, in line with Education International’s global Go Public! Fund Education campaign. Finnern also stressed the urgent need to tackle educational inequality, especially considering that a significant share of children in Germany are from migrant backgrounds.

The event also provided the opportunity for a special gathering to commemorate the 25th anniversary milestone of the CPLP-SE (Education Trade Union Confederation of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries), highlighting its importance on the global education stage.

UN recommendations to strengthen public education

The activity included discussions around the 59 recommendations on the teaching profession developed by the United Nations with the participation of Education International. Aimed at ensuring decent working conditions for teachers, adequate public funding for education, and an inclusive educational approach, in line with social justice, global citizenship and care for the environment, the recommendations were a focal point of the discussions.

Sonia Alesso, President of Education International’s Regional Committee for Latin America, stressed the importance of these recommendations and the need to counter narratives, often spread by extremist groups, that blame teachers for the problems in education. The participants explored how these recommendations could be implemented to improve the value and respect afforded to education professionals worldwide.

Challenges faced by public education systems

The event addressed several pressing issues faced by public education systems around the world. The participants engaged in discussions on employment, salaries, and the future of public education considering the prevailing social, political and economic challenges. They expressed concerns about the growing shortage of teachers and the erosion of their rights, while building closer institutional links and pledging international solidarity to tackle these challenges.

The Fortaleza Charter: a collective vision for the future

The seminar culminated with the drafting of the Fortaleza Charter, a manifesto that articulates a shared commitment to public education and the recognition of education professionals. The document, which will be presented to representatives at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November, highlights the international solidarity and cooperation crucial to addressing the challenges facing public education.