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 2 March 2009

    UNCSW: EI, ITUC and PSI parallel panel on 3 March

    The 53rd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW) opened in New York on 2 March. The 40-strong trade union delegation from the Education International, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Public Services International (PSI) will be presenting trade union statement to governments.

    UNCSW: EI, ITUC and PSI parallel panel on 3 March
  2. News 27 February 2009

    Trade unionists ready to influence UN session on Equality for Women and Men

    Over 40 trade unions delegates and union equality officers will gather to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) on Monday, March 2 in New York to advocate and make progress on gender equality and non-discrimination policies within the framework of the decent work, decent lives for...

    Trade unionists ready to influence UN session on Equality for Women and Men
  3. 16 January 2009

    Human rights and gender equality in education

    “Financing gender equality is often preached, but scarcely ever practised,” Jan Eastman, EI Deputy General Secretary, told delegates at the last UN Commission on the Status of Women.

    Human rights and gender equality in education
  4. 16 January 2009

    Teachers defend children’s rights

    Although legal frameworks are in place to protect children’s rights, millions of children are still deprived of their fundamental rights. The right to life, to an identity, to health care, to free education, to be protected from abuse, exploitation and any form of discrimination are among those fundamental rights. All...

    Teachers defend children’s rights
  5. News 9 December 2008

    EI urges greater respect for Indigenous languages and culture

    Bilingual and multicultural education is not only “important for the human rights of Indigenous Peoples, but also for all other children, as well as for humanity as a whole, collecting and conserving relevant knowledge to help our planet survive,” EI Vice-President Susan Hopgood told participants in the EI seminar on...

    EI urges greater respect for Indigenous languages and culture
  6. News 5 December 2008

    EI hosts its largest-ever seminar on Indigenous issues

    “Quality education and social justice for Indigenous peoples” is the theme of Education International’s Indigenous educators’ seminar to be held 6 December 2008 in advance of the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education in Melbourne.

    EI hosts its largest-ever seminar on Indigenous issues
  7. News 24 November 2008

    International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: 25 November

    The 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is an important moment to reaffirm and raise awareness of women’s rights. The journey to equality has witnessed the adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW 1979), and the Convention on...

    International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: 25 November
  8. News 14 November 2008

    EI seminar values diversity

    The first-ever EI Pan-European Equality Seminar with a focus on LGBT rights had fruitful exchange, discussion and deliberations.

    EI seminar values diversity
  9. News 2 October 2008

    EI convenes a seminar on non-discrimination policies relating to sexual orientation

    EI is organising a seminar in November for its member organisations in the Pan-European region to address the challenges faced by education unions in implementing effective non-discrimination policies related to the rights of lesbian and gay teachers and students.

    EI convenes a seminar on non-discrimination policies relating to sexual orientation
  10. News 1 October 2008

    Towards a Pan-European/Maghreb structure to fight child labour

    EI and other member organisations of the Global March Against Child Labour met in Sofia, Bulgaria, from 16-18 September for a Pan-Europe and Maghreb regional conference. The Global March Against Child Labour is the most highly-recognised global alliance which campaigns against child labour and for universal education. EI sits on...

    Towards a Pan-European/Maghreb structure to fight child labour
  11. News 4 August 2008

    Teachers' unions support GLBT rights

    "If we want education to be the main vector to achieve equal rights and combat discrimination, teachers themselves must first be set free," said EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen. He was speaking in Stockholm on 1 August at a seminar on "gay rights in education" organized by the Swedish...

    Teachers' unions support GLBT rights
  12. 12 June 2008

    Education is the right response to child labour

    "Education is the right response – it may be the only response that makes a real difference," EI Deputy General Secretary Jan Eastman told delegates assembled in Geneva today at the ILO's official launch of International Day for the Elimination of Child Labour 2008.

    Education is the right response to child labour
  13. News 11 June 2008

    Teacher union in Ghana releases new study on child labour

    This week, as part of Education International’s campaign against child labour, the Ghanaian affiliates, led by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) launched a new research study entitled: “National Child Labour Situation and Teacher Unions’ Best Practices and Challenges in This Field”.

    Teacher union in Ghana releases new study on child labour
  14. 5 June 2008

    Global unions affirm children’s rights

    Dusty-faced children toiling near the heat of brick kilns, beautifully costumed children dancing and singing sweetly, smiling children walking hand-in-hand with their parents and teachers in a rally for their rights; there were many faces of childhood to be seen at the International Conference For Child Rights Organisers and Campaigners,...

    Global unions affirm children’s rights
  15. 5 June 2008

    No to child labour! Yes to education! Teacher unions prevent primary school drop outs

    Sara Marbouh flashes a radiant smile at her teacher and settles into a front row desk in her Geography class at Abbas Benani School in this holy city. A conscientious 14-year-old, Sara knows every child has the fundamental right to an education. She also knows how precarious that right can...

    No to child labour! Yes to education! Teacher unions prevent primary school drop outs