Ei-iE

Union growth

All teachers and education support personnel have the right to organise and be part of a union that represents and defends their values and interests. However, around the world, education unions are facing serious attacks and operate in increasingly challenging and hostile environments. Revitalising unions, building their power by boosting membership and active participation and maximising impact is the way forward.

Our work in this area

  1. Worlds of Education 31 May 2017

    Re-thinking Disability

    Tania Principe

    Over the last 50 years, attitudes toward disability have changed. Whether viewing disability as a medical condition, through the prism of human rights or forms of exclusion, the understanding of disability has dramatically evolved. One could argue that we now know more than ever about disability.

    Re-thinking Disability
  2. News 23 May 2017

    Colombia: Solidarity in the wake of attacks against teachers union

    Just days after an attack on the head office of Colombian teachers union FECODE, the international community has already been quick to express its solidarity and support of Colombian teachers and the peace process.

    Colombia: Solidarity in the wake of attacks against teachers union
  3. News 19 May 2017

    IRAN: Teacher Union Leader Esmail Abdi on Hunger Strike

    Education International (EI) reiterates its global solidarity call to request the immediate and unconditional release of Esmail Abdi, a leader of the Tehran Teacher Trade Association, who was sentenced to six years in jail on false charges by Branch 36 of the Appeals Court of Tehran last October.

    IRAN: Teacher Union Leader Esmail Abdi on Hunger Strike
  4. Research

    Organising teaching: Developing the power of the profession

    17 May 2017

    This study reports on the experience of several teacher unions as they respond to the challenges facing teachers in a range of national contexts: Chile, Kenya, New Zealand, Poland, Scotland, Turkey, and the United States of America.

    Organising teaching: Developing the power of the profession
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  5. News 16 May 2017

    Iran: urgent action needed to help free education unionist

    Education International reiterates its call for global solidarity and urges Iranian public authorities to immediately release imprisoned education union leader Esmail Abdi, whose hunger strike is taking a toll on his health.

    Iran: urgent action needed to help free education unionist
  6. News 11 May 2017

    Denmark: 64th country to endorse Safe Schools Declaration

    Education International welcomes the move by Denmark to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration, a commitment to protect students, teachers, schools, and universities during times of war.

    Denmark: 64th country to endorse Safe Schools Declaration
  7. News 9 May 2017

    African education union leaders reaffirm commitment to improve unity

    The Regional Dialogue Forum on Human Resources Issues in the Education Sector provided African teacher union leaders and education stakeholders with the opportunity to stress the importance of teacher trade union unity and social dialogue on education.

    African education union leaders reaffirm commitment to improve unity
  8. News 8 May 2017

    Nigeria: Relief about release of 82 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram

    Education International has warmly welcomed the release of 82 schoolgirls from a group of 276 abducted three years ago by Islamist militants of the Boko Haram group in north-eastern Nigeria.

    Nigeria: Relief about release of 82 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram
  9. Worlds of Education 4 May 2017

    Building human rights education through global teacher networks

    John Heffernan

    A few years ago, calling for a more robust worldwide embrace of human rights education by invoking the Holocaust, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid bin Ra'ad said in a speech given at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum: “Eight of the 15 people who planned the Holocaust in 1942...

    Building human rights education through global teacher networks
  10. News 1 May 2017

    This May Day, why not try solidarity?

    As the occasion to celebrate and reaffirm the value and values of trade unions, from which their principles continue to inspire, today must also serve as a lens to carefully examine our societies and institutions.

    This May Day, why not try solidarity?
  11. News 11 April 2017

    Malala Yousafzai, appointed UN Messenger of Peace

    Education International welcomes the appointment of Nobel laureate, Malala Yousafzai, as United Nations’ Messenger of Peace, a key international role where she will be able to continue to fulfil her commitment to the promotion of girls’ education.

    Malala Yousafzai, appointed UN Messenger of Peace
  12. News 10 April 2017

    Argentina: Rising tension as teachers’ protest repressed by police

    Teachers in Argentina were targeted when their peaceful protest on the eve of 9–10 April was violently repressed by police. The demonstration, aiming to set up a 'mobile school' in the form of a white tent in front of the National Congress in Buenos Aires, was brought to an abrupt...

    Argentina: Rising tension as teachers’ protest repressed by police
  13. News 6 April 2017

    Armenia: Unionists underpin role of education in teaching human rights and values

    Teacher unionists in Armenia reaffirmed their commitment to human rights and democracy by participating in a national high-level seminar, which highlighted the role of education unions in protecting human rights and values.

    Armenia: Unionists underpin role of education in teaching human rights and values