Ei-iE

Jens Kalaene
Jens Kalaene

Equity and inclusion

We defend and promote the principles of equity and equality in education, in education unions and in society. We are fully committed to combating all forms of racism and of bias or discrimination due age, disability, ethnicity or indigeneity, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation, language, marital status, migratory status, political activism, religion, socio-economic status, trade union affiliation, among others. We are committed to addressing these forms of discrimination through an intersectional lens, which enables a deeper understanding of the complexities of lived experiences.

I think Education International has a leadership role to play… If we’re going to have a more civil society, a more inclusive society, then we have to model that by including men but women as well, people of different ethnic groups or religious backgrounds. All of us have to be involved and be at the table and have that kind of respect.

Professor Mary Hatwood Futrell, First elected EI President, 1993–2004

Promoting and advancing gender equality has always been an Education International priority. We believe that education can play a key role in empowering women and girls and can contribute to breaking through the cycle of gender discrimination. The Education International Gender Equality Action Plan highlights three main priorities:

  1. Promoting women’s leadership and participation within education unions;
  2. Taking action to increase intersectional gender equality in and through education;
  3. Promoting and securing women’s economic empowerment.

The unequal and gendered impact of the COVID-19 pandemic risks erasing years of progress on equity and inclusion throughout the world. Together with our member organisations, we mobilise to challenge and help dismantle all structures of inequality in education and beyond. As part of this work, we have called for equity audits to be conducted at all levels of education in order to ensure the pandemic does not define the lives of an entire generation of students.

Our work in this area

  1. News 21 January 2016

    Majority of Canadian teachers say that more LGBTQ support is needed in schools

    According to Canada’s largest study on teachers’ perspectives on LGBTQ inclusive education in the country, only 30 percent of educators say their schools have responded effectively to homophobic, biphobic and transphobic harassment.

    Majority of Canadian teachers say that more LGBTQ support is needed in schools
  2. News 14 January 2016

    Iraqi teachers' campaign strives to end violence against women

    In conjunction with the United Nations’ recent 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Iraqi teachers organised a number of activities under the theme of “Home Peace to World Peace, Peaceful Education for All.”

    Iraqi teachers' campaign strives to end violence against women
  3. News 13 January 2016

    USA: educators play key role in combatting human trafficking

    American education unions are taking the fight against human trafficking to the classroom, with a toolkit designed to help teachers recognise and act in case a student is suspected of being a victim.

    USA: educators play key role in combatting human trafficking
  4. News 7 January 2016

    Become Program Coordinator, join education unions taking action to stop SRGBV!

    The UN Girls Education Initiative, Education International and Gender at Work are looking for a Program Coordinator in the framework of their three-year multi-country initiative in Africa to end school-related gender-based violence.

    Become Program Coordinator, join education unions taking action to stop SRGBV!
  5. News 17 December 2015

    EI calls for respect of migrants and refugees’ rights

    To mark International Migrants’ Day, Education International is reminding governments and the international community of their duty to ensure that the rights of migrants, refugees and displaced persons are respected and guaranteed.

    EI calls for respect of migrants and refugees’ rights
  6. Research

    The World Bank’s doublespeak on teachers – an analysis of 10 years of lending and advice

    Clara Fontdevila, Antoni Verger
    17 December 2015

    During the last few decades, the World Bank has become a central actor in shaping the global education policy agenda and is increasingly involved in education to the point of becoming the largest supplier of external funding to the sector. Its growing capacity to shape policy goes far beyond its...

    The World Bank’s doublespeak on teachers – an analysis of 10 years of lending and advice
    1. Report
    2. Summary
  7. News 15 December 2015

    Canada: final report on residential schools paves way for reconciliation

    The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report, which is calling to redress the destructive legacy of residential schools, is being acknowledged by the Canadian Teachers’ Federation as a great path towards the reconciliation process.

    Canada: final report on residential schools paves way for reconciliation
  8. News 11 December 2015

    USA: Filipino teachers celebrate court victory in forced labour case

    A Los Angeles teacher placement company has been ordered to pay $4.5 million to 350 Filipino teachers it lured to the United States and forced into exploitive contracts after arriving to teach in Louisiana. 

    USA: Filipino teachers celebrate court victory in forced labour case
  9. News 3 December 2015

    Latin America: Equal rights in the world of work

    The Latin America Women’s Workers’ Network brought together more than 250 people from 15 countries at the 3rd Regional Meeting Towards a Latin America Education Movement held in San José on 30 November and 1 December.

    Latin America: Equal rights in the world of work
  10. News 1 December 2015

    Global pledge launched to end child slavery

    The Global March Against Child Labour is rallying its partners around the world to mark tomorrow’s International Day for the Abolition of Slavery to free the millions of children forced to work.

    Global pledge launched to end child slavery
  11. News 25 November 2015

    African educators united for diversity in education

    Leaders of education unions in francophone West Africa discussed a rights-based approach to inclusive education, particularly of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender and intersex people.

    African educators united for diversity in education
  12. News 25 November 2015

    International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

    Violence against women affects all groups of women and remains prevalent all over the world; it both reflects and creates gender inequalities, and is one of the worst manifestations of gender-based discrimination.

    International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
  13. News 19 November 2015

    UN refugee agency looks to boost collaboration with EI

    As the perilous situation facing refugees continues, the United Nations’ refugee agency has turned to Education International in an effort to work together toward ensuring that all displaced children receive their right to an education.

    UN refugee agency looks to boost collaboration with EI
  14. News 18 November 2015

    Global campaign strives to make schools free of gender based violence

    The message is going to be loud and clear as Education International prepares to voice its support for the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-based Violence Campaign from November 25 to December 10.

    Global campaign strives to make schools free of gender based violence
  15. News 16 November 2015

    Indonesian education unionists focus on advancing new global development goals

    One month after their adoption, members of the teachers’ union Persatuan Guru Republik Indonesia have debated ways to advance global priorities, especially the post-2015 sustainable development goals focused on education and gender.

    Indonesian education unionists focus on advancing new global development goals