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. Statements 5 August 2022

    International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

    On the 9th of August, Education International (EI) joins the celebration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and reaffirms the human rights of Indigenous Peoples. This year’s theme is The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge.

    International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
  2. News 1 August 2022

    Paraguay: UNE-SN starts building its gender equality policy

    Education International Latin America’s Network of Women Education Workers lent its support to the initiative.

    Within the framework of the activity, UNE-SN joined the campaign for the ratification of ILO C190 led by EILA and the Network of Women Education Workers. Among the key issues addressed at the workshop, the participants highlighted the unequal opportunities between men and women, the gender gaps in care responsibilities...

    Paraguay: UNE-SN starts building its gender equality policy
  3. Take action! 19 July 2022

    Teachers around the world mobilise to transform education. Join us!

    1.6 billion students were out of school at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions are still struggling with trauma and learning loss. Teachers and education workers have done the impossible to support their students and school communities in this time of crisis. But the crushing workloads, poor pay, and...

    Teachers around the world mobilise to transform education. Join us!
  4. News 6 July 2022

    EI’s 4th World Women’s Conference rallies the power of women for change

    A record number of women education unionists came together online for the 4th Education International World Women’s Conference held from the 13 to 16th of June. Bringing together a profession largely dominated by women in many parts of the world, the Conference focused on mobilising and using women’s power for...

    EI’s 4th World Women’s Conference rallies the power of women for change
  5. Worlds of Education 28 June 2022

    Transforming our understanding of refugee teachers and teaching in contexts of forced displacement

    Chris Henderson

    In refugee-hosting contexts, teachers contribute more to children’s learning and well-being than any other school-level factor . Refugee teachers also have strong local knowledge and the desire to contribute to better crisis response and recovery outcomes . However, despite their crucial role and the challenging context in which they ensure...

    Transforming our understanding of refugee teachers and teaching in contexts of forced displacement
  6. News 17 June 2022

    Afghanistan: International solidarity to face human and education rights violations

    International solidarity was reaffirmed at a webinar on Protecting the Right to Education of Girls in Afghanistan organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and Unite the Union. Participants took stock of the educational and trade union situation in the country.

    Afghanistan: International solidarity to face human and education rights violations
  7. News 13 June 2022

    Using women’s power for change: Education unionists come together for the 4th Education International World Women’s Conference

    From 13 to 16 June, record numbers of women education unionists from around the world are coming together online for the 4th Education International World Women’s Conference. Under the theme, “Using Women’s Power for Change”, the Conference is a festival of ideas, experiences, and strategies to advance gender equality in...

    Using women’s power for change: Education unionists come together for the 4th Education International World Women’s Conference
  8. Statements 10 June 2022

    Statement | World Day Against Child Labour

    On June 12th, World Day Against Child Labour, Education International calls on unions to urge governments to implement the Durban Call to Action on the Elimination of Child Labour adopted at the 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour , held from 15-20 May 2022.

    Statement | World Day Against Child Labour
  9. Worlds of Education 9 June 2022

    Labels belong on bottles - not people

    Charles Adams

    NAPTOSA is the second largest teachers’ union in South Africa serving education through its legacy organisations since 1904. The NAPTOSA leadership and membership represent the racial diversity of the country and are inclusive of the LGBTQI+ community.

    Labels belong on bottles - not people
  10. News 9 June 2022

    Afghanistan: Union ensures the distribution of allowances to unpaid teachers

    The National Teachers Elected Council (NTEC) has played a key role in ensuring that UNICEF’s badly needed emergency funds reach teachers across Afghanistan and advocating for secondary girls access to education be reinstated.

    Afghanistan: Union ensures the distribution of allowances to unpaid teachers
  11. Worlds of Education 31 May 2022

    Towards schools that are inclusive and respectful of LGBTI people in Latin America

    Bolívar Rojas Vargas

    LGBTI people in Latin American education communities are faced, on a daily basis, with situations that require them to decide whether or not to share information about their sexual orientation or gender identity in the schools where they work, study or take their children. Can Latin American schools, colleges and...

    Towards schools that are inclusive and respectful of LGBTI people in Latin America
  12. News 23 May 2022

    Rabat Declaration underlines the need for international standards to bring all political abuses of religions to a halt

    The participants in the Rabat Global Conference held in Morocco’s capital city from May 11-12 adopted the Declaration reasserting the need to coordinate efforts to build global consensus on setting international rules to eliminate the use of religion in violating human rights. They called on the international community and all...

    Rabat Declaration underlines the need for international standards to bring all political abuses of religions to a halt
  13. Statements 17 May 2022

    International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia: Safe and inclusive schools for students and teachers in all their diversity

    On 17 May, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), Education International (EI), reaffirms our support and efforts to create safe and inclusive schools, universities, and other educational settings for learners and teachers in all their diversity. Safe schools are those where all teachers and students can feel...

    International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia: Safe and inclusive schools for students and teachers in all their diversity
  14. Worlds of Education 17 May 2022

    On Teachers’ Responsibility Towards LGBTQI Students

    Jeremy Gobin

    IGLYO — The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) Youth and Student Organisation is the lead youth development and leadership organisation working with LGBTQI young activists, counting more than 100 Member Organisations in over 40 countries in the Council of Europe Region. IGLYO has just released their...

    On Teachers’ Responsibility Towards LGBTQI Students
  15. News 10 May 2022

    Ukraine: Education unions, national and local authorities, and international organisations mobilise to ensure access to education for all refugee students

    Education unions from Ukraine and other European countries, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, local authorities in neighbouring countries, and international organisations came together in Warsaw on May 3 and 4, to step up collaboration to ensure that education continues for all Ukrainian refugee students.

    Ukraine: Education unions, national and local authorities, and international organisations mobilise to ensure access to education for all refugee students