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.
The world must not stand aside, but must act in support of a free and democratic Burma. That is the message from the World Congress of the Public Services International, taking place in Vienna from 24 to 28 September.
PSI World Congress
Schools across the world are being urged to join together in performing The Poverty Requiem on October 17th - International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
Stand Up and Sing Out against poverty and inequality on 17th October
EI is delighted to inform all members and Global Union partners that Raquel Castro, Colombian teacher and union activist, was released from prison last August 2nd.
Colombia: Raquel Castro finally released
Following the resolution passed by the 5th EI World Congress held in July 2007, EI urges the governor of the State of Oaxaca, Ulises Ruiz Ortiz, to find an immediate and satisfactory solution to end the conflict between the authorities and teachers.
Mexico: Solution to the conflict in Oaxaca must be found, says EI
The 5th EI World Congress held from 22-26 July in Berlin passed an urgent resolution on the current situation in Peru, where the conflict between the government and teachers has resulted in many arrested and one teacher killed.
Peru: Government urged to respect teachers' rights
Today, 9th August, is the ITF/ITUC International Action Day in solidarity with union leaders Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi.
International Day of Action in solidarity with Iranian union leaders
Education International has written to the Albanian government to protest against the expulsion of nationally recognised trade union confederations the KSSH and the BSPSH from their offices in Tirana.
Albania: EI deplores eviction of trade union confederations
EI supports the global call to stop the execution of a Sri-Lankan teenage girl who has been sentenced to death by beheading in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia: Rizana Nafeek, 19 year old Sri Lankan faces beheading
Education International has written to the President of the Philippines following an urgent resolution adopted at the 5th World Congress calling on the government to immediately put a stop to extrajudicial killings and involuntary disappearances.
EI urges Philipines government to address extrajudicial killings
EI joins the Australian Education Union in voicing its concern about the suspension of Afghan MP, Malalai Joya from the parliament on 21 May.
Afghanistan: EI protests against the suspension of MP Malalai Joya