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 16 October 2007

    Australia: EI opposes new law which undermines indigenous rights

    In a letter to the Australian Prime Minister on 10 October, EI voiced its concerns about new legislation which undermines the land rights of the Indigenous populations in the country.

    Australia: EI opposes new law which undermines indigenous rights
  2. News 19 September 2007

    EI applauds adoption of Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples

    After two decades of negotiations, the United Nations has finally adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. On 13 September 2007, the UN General Assembly voted to adopt the historic declaration with a large majority (143 in favour, 4 against and 11 abstentions).

    EI applauds adoption of Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  3. News 21 July 2007

    UN Director: "Gender-based discrimination in education is more than the issues of access"

    Speaking at the EI Women’s Caucus held today in Berlin, Special Guest Carolyn Hannan, Director of the UN Division for the Advancement of Women, emphasized that the education of women and girls is vital for the transformation of societies, and we must address the growing need to move beyond the...

    UN Director: "Gender-based discrimination in education is more than the issues of access"
  4. News 20 July 2007

    EI Pre-congress events: Indigenous caucus

    Around 70 delegates participated in the Indigenous caucus, one of three pre-congress events held at the Estrel convention centre, Berlin, today 20th July.

    EI Pre-congress events: Indigenous caucus
  5. News 20 July 2007

    EI Pre-congress events: LGBT caucus

    Ninety delegates to the 5th World Congress of Education International met to discuss issues relating to LGBT educators and students as part of the pre-congress programme.

    EI Pre-congress events: LGBT caucus
  6. News 18 June 2007

    EI launches new brochure on eliminating child labour

    As part of its observance of the World Day Against Child Labour on 12 June, 2007, EI released several publications, including a brochure entitled “Child Labour: Quality Education is the right response”, which discusses the important role of education in ending child labour and outlines some of the ways EI...

    EI launches new brochure on eliminating child labour
  7. News 13 June 2007

    EI and its affiliates weed out child labour in agriculture

    Seventy percent of all working children are active in the agricultural sector, a harsh and dangerous environment for a growing child. In 2007, the main focus of the World Day Against Child Labour on 12 June was to raise awareness and promote activities on the elimination of child labour in...

    EI and its affiliates weed out child labour in agriculture
  8. News 13 June 2007

    Interview with Kailash Satyarthi

    Kailash Satyarthi is the Chairperson of the Global March against Child Labour and the President of the Global Campaign for Education. For years he has been a tireless children's rights advocate. EI interviewed him to gain some insight into his work and beliefs.

    Interview with Kailash Satyarthi
  9. News 15 May 2007

    Albania: Teachers’ unions work on child labour prevention in rural areas

    This month, the Trade Union Federation of Education and Science (FSASH-TUFESA) and the Independent Trade Union of Education of Albania (SPASH-ITUEA), the two EI affiliates in the country, have started implementing a project entitled “Child Labour and EFA in Albania: The Teachers’ Contribution.“

    Albania: Teachers’ unions work on child labour prevention in rural areas
  10. News 18 April 2007

    BUT/Barbados steps up efforts to stop child labour

    At a recent Child Labour workshop conducted by the Barbados Ministry of Labour and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Cobin Hinds, Public Relations Officer of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), spoke about incidences of child labour in Barbados and in particular the exposure of children to hazards on construction...

    BUT/Barbados steps up efforts to stop child labour
  11. News 26 March 2007

    EI calls for Global Effort to Stop Violence against the Girl Child

    This year marks the bicentennial of the end of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, yet slavery remains widespread, particularly among vulnerable girls. The shameful statistics must mobilise us to stop violence against the girl child.

    EI calls for Global Effort to Stop Violence against the Girl Child
  12. News 15 March 2007

    EI reinforces partnerships to combat child labour

    Last month Human Rights Watch and Anti-Slavery convened a meeting in London between trade union and non governmental organizations to discuss the issue of child domestic workers.

    EI reinforces partnerships to combat child labour
  13. News 9 March 2007

    EI Europe launches its electronic Pan-European Women’s Network

    On International Women’s Day, 8 March, Equality Officers from 138 EI member organisations in 44 European countries received an invitation to take part in EI's electronic Pan-European Women’s Network (PEWN).

    EI Europe launches its electronic Pan-European Women’s Network