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The Executive Board (ExBo) of Education International (EI) reaffirmed its commitment to quality inclusive public education, reiterated the importance of global solidarity, education for peace and climate change, and renewed its call to elevate the status of the teaching profession.

Meeting in Brussels, Belgium, the EI leaders approved pending resolutions from the 10th World Congress, set strategic priorities for Education International in the coming years, and issued a statement on the climate crisis. One of the highlights of the meeting was a message from Amina Mohammed, who addressed members directly and congratulated EI for its work around the world.

EI President: This generation’s mission is to protect and promote education with unity and solidarity

EI President Mugwena Maluleke opened the meeting by reiterating the commitment of ExBo members to the global work of Education International: “The 10th EI World Congress gave us a clear mandate which we committed to execute with humility. Unity and solidarity are our responsibility now."

“Our mission is clear,” he explained: “to protect and promote education, even in the most challenging situations. Our generation must ensure that education remains a beacon of hope and a path to a better future. The fight for education is a fight for humanity itself. Solidarity is crucial.”

He concluded his opening by saying that “we are not alone in this struggle. When we stood together in Buenos Aires, the power of our solidarity was evident.”

UN Deputy Secretary-General: The unity and courage of educators are a beacon for the world

Addressing the EI ExBo, United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed emphasized the need for acceleration towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

“We want less war and more peace. Teachers drive the change we need in classrooms and societies. In Afghanistan, Sudan, Lebanon, people want to keep hope in education. You are leaders in the classroom. You are at the frontlines of social changes in an unpredictable world,” she stated in her remarks.

Mohammed thanked EI for its work and commitment to the recommendations of the UN High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession, which calls on all government to make changes to address the global teacher shortage and improve the working conditions of teachers and education staff.

"We are experiencing difficult times, but collectively we can make it. It is solidarity we need to ensure the dignity of every life on this planet. You are a powerful voice not just for teachers, but for people. Your unity and courage are a beacon for the world. Our world leaders could learn from Education International,” she concluded.

EI General Secretary’s Activity Report

Reporting on activities undertaken since the World Congress, EI General Secretary David Edwards focused on solidarity, the Go Public! Fund Education campaign, advocacy in global fora, regional activities, and policy and research work.

The EI “Go Public! Fund Education” campaign “really resonated and was endorsed at Congress,” he said. “The campaign shows real and tangible results in terms of solidarity and organizing, " he added while highlighting capacity building and organizing across regions.

For World Teachers’ Day 2024, Edwards shared details of EI's participation at the official UNESCO event on the theme of a new social contract for education and valuing teacher voices. EI was also present at events held at regional level, highlighting the Go Public! campaign as well as the recommendations of the UN High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession.

He went on highlighting solidarity expressed by the global education trade union community with colleagues, students and populations, particularly in Palestine, Lebanon, Eswatini, Guatemala, and Iran.

During his report he also mentioned the work done by the different EI regions, who continue to engage with members and respond to the needs of affiliates.

Evaluation of the 10th World EI Congress

ExBo members also engaged in the evaluation of the EI 10th World Congress held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and recalled that it was a powerful political moment of critical solidarity and unity. There was a special mention of gratitude to the Argentinian affiliates who went above and beyond as hosts despite the political persecution they face. They also discussed ideas and options to improve make future congresses and build on the positive experience reported by delegates.

Adoption of resolutions

The ExBo also addressed the outstanding resolutions not debated in Buenos Aires due to time constraints and the following nine resolutions were carried:

• Defence of trade union rights and the right to organize.
• Freedom of association as a fundamental right.
• Proposal to implement a collaborative framework in the education sector.
• Re-organization and innovation as ways of strengthening trade union organizing.
• Trade unions reject austerity policies and related cuts in the education sector.
• A new approach to disability.
• Achieving SDG4 and getting more girls into education.
• Achieving the Agenda 2030 by addressing the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) in communities and schools.
• The urgent need for intensified action on child labour and education as a response to massive setbacks due to political choices, the pandemic, conflicts and climate change.

EI Strategic Plan 2025-2029

The Executive Board also discussed and adopted a strategic plan for the next 5 years with the aim to "organize to grow and renew an inclusive, representative union movement equipped to impactfully defend and advance:"

1. The status (and well-being) of our professions
2. Quality public education for all
3. Human and trade union rights, gender and social justice
4. Peace, democracy, and climate justice.

Upcoming Global Report on the Status of Teachers

EI ExBo members were also presented a preview the Global Report on the Status of Teachers 2024 from researchers Ben Arnold and Mark Rahimi. This study, conducted in 121 countries, gathered views from 204 senior union leaders, building a global and regional picture of union perspectives.

The report highlights that people worldwide believe teachers play a crucial role in society and that education should be fully public. It lists legal and practical obstacles to teachers expressing their rights, focusing on teacher shortages, teacher rights and social dialogue, the status of the teaching profession, teacher working conditions and well-being, and education for equity and as a public good.

Among the root causes of teacher shortages noted in the report are low salaries, heavy workloads, and limited career growth.

EI will officially launch the report on January 24th, 2025, International Day of Education.

Solidarity with education unionists in the United States

ExBo members also engaged in a conversation with education union leaders in the U.S. and expressed solidarity with their colleagues following the re-election of Donald Trump as President.

National Education Association (NEA) President Becky Pringle expressed that “we are unfortunately not surprised by the degree of fear, hate, racism, misogyny, and homophobia, given the widespread misinformation and disinformation during the election.” She added that “this will impact us all throughout the world. Trump has been clear that he is going after public trade unions. We know that we are on his hit list.”

The NEA will not remain passive, Pringle emphasized: “We are starting the fight with strategies and work we have developed in the last eight months. We developed legal strategies to protect people, minorities, as well as to implement the US Constitution. We have a proactive agenda to strengthen and promote public education. We will in the end be stronger!”

Randi Weingarten, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President, admitted: “It is disappointing when an Administration you worked for and with, which believed in education and spent a lot of political capital on the importance of teaching and classrooms, has to go.”

She added that she sees the current situation as “a fight for respect and dignity for all.” Weingarten further said that her union will engage with colleagues who have faced or are facing similar challenges in Poland, The Philippines, the UK and others.

Education International statement to COP29

As the meeting coincided with the United Nations climate change meeting COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the ExBo sent a strong message to world leaders and reaffirmed EI's commitment to climate justice, climate education, and resilient education systems for all. They called for COP29 “to prioritize the full implementation of the just transition work programme, include just transition in a new quantified global goal on climate finance, and guarantee human rights and inclusive participation, with trade unions as key partners in determining climate policies through social dialogue.” They insisted that policymakers at COP must consider education in climate strategies.

Looking ahead to COP30, they urged all countries to prepare nationally determined contributions (NDC) that include more ambitious commitments to end the use of fossil fuels, commitments on just transition policies, and commitments to green education. They also demanded that countries “work with education unions to develop revised NDCs that include plans that align with the roadmap for quality climate change education outlined in the Education International Manifesto.”