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.
Education International (EI) members FECODE and ASPU have been targeted by paramilitary threats. Educators from around the world call on the Colombian government to do its duty: ensure the safety of educators and protect schools as territories of peace.
Colombia: EI condemns threats made against educators’ unions FECODE and ASPU
Commemorating the start of World War II, German educators have reiterated their commitment to the initiative on disarmament and peace education recently adopted by Education International and its affiliates.
Germany: stop public investment in arms, increase spending in quality education!
Crowning a global development cooperation initiative, the 4th Congress of the Organizaçao Nacional dos Professores modified the organisation’s constitution to become a trade union able to engage in social dialogue and improve teachers’ working and living conditions.
Mozambique: educators set up a trade union to open social dialogue and improve teachers’ conditions
Today representatives of Education International and other trade unions staged a protest in front of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade office in Brussels to stand against recent police brutality and human rights abuses perpetrated against the people of Hong Kong.
Educators for democracy and human rights: Education International joins Brussels protest in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong
The neoliberal doctrine of New Public Management (NPM) is the essential reference for education policies all over the world. It seeks to destroy the professional autonomy of teachers.
“Trade Union Action in a Country in Transition towards New Public Management” by Laurent Frajerman.
At its 30th Executive Council meeting, the Kurdistan Teachers’ Union emphasised the need for the Iraqi region’s public authorities to ensure quality teacher training, a quality education environment and counter the rampant privatisation in the sector.
Iraq: education union reaffirms commitment to quality public education for all in Kurdistan
Education International leadership attending the G20 Labour and Employment Ministerial meeting remind ministers that education has to be part of any meaningful long-term strategy to address our common challenges.
EI calls on Employment and Labour Ministers in G20 countries to refocus on education
Today, August 20th, marks 500 days of the wrongful imprisonment of former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio ‘Lula’ da Silva. This is a day of action and mobilisation for justice. Educators from around the world stand with their Brazilian colleagues in the call for freedom for President Lula. Join us!
500 days of injustice – We must right the wrong and #FreeLula
“As we approach the centenary of the birth of Paulo Freire, whose teachings continue to inspire and influence our actions, the Latin American Pedagogical Movement, EILA and its national member organisations embody the collective will to defend education as a social right and a powerful means for the emancipation of...
“Education Unions and the Struggle for Democracy”, by Hugo Yasky.
As education trade unionists gather together for the 8th EI World Congress, it is clear that working people and students are on the front lines of climate change. Already 83 million climate-related refugees have fled from disaster. 72 million jobs are threatened. Climate change affects our brothers and sisters –...
“Climate change action: organising to win”, by Adam Lincoln.
We want to gather inspiration about how we can take the lead to change the world, so we asked our friend and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi
A conversation with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi
Being elected General Secretary of EI is a great honour. It is a challenge to live up to the confidence that has been given by the representatives of education workers from all regions of the world. It is also comforting to join that small team of talented leaders elected on...
“Our Mandate”, by David Edwards
The Women's Caucus met on Sunday, 21st of July in Bangkok. After a busy day, the Congress was officially open by EI President Susan Hopgood. Have a look at the pictures of the day on the Education International Flickr. Feel free to use them to spread the word about our...
21 July Women's Caucus and Congress opening in pictures
The Education and Solidarity Network (ESN), of which Education International (EI) is a founding organisation, held its General Assembly in Bangkok, Thailand on July 20. These organisations from all around the world, including education unions, share the values of solidarity and democracy as their members cooperate to improve the health...
ESN holds General Assembly prior to World Congress
The first caucus in the runup to the Education International Congress focused on LGBTI rights and how to support them through alliances with like-minded groups towards a common discourse and goal.
LGBTI Caucus examines victories & setbacks, mobilisation strategies to advance human rights
Today, at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLFP), Turkey will be presenting a Voluntary National Review (VNR) of its progress towards achieving the SDGs.
#OffTrack #3: Government Violation of Trade Union Rights and Educators’ Academic Freedom in Turkey
The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert focusing on protection against violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI).
United Nations: Mandate of Independent Expert on violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity renewed
Today, the United Nations High-Level Political Forum will focus on reviewing Sustainable Development Goal 10 on reducing inequalities and its interrelations with other goals. We are far off track to achieve equitable access to education and equitable educational opportunities for all. In fact, in some countries, governments are introducing policies...
#OffTrack #2: In the Philippines, Schools Serving Indigenous Communities Are Under Attack.