Ei-iE

Education Ministers from 38 countries met in Paris last week, 4-5 November with a theme of investing in education and training.

The member-led Executive Board of EI met in Brussels on 26-28 October to agree strategic policy decisions that will guide the work of the global union over the next period of time.

EI’s Executive Board has approved a resolution of solidarity with the Cyprus Turkish Teachers’ Trade Union (KTOS) and Cyprus Turkish Secondary Education Teachers' Union (KTOEOS).

The Belgian government has announced plans to use its EU presidency to put the Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) on the G20 agenda held in Seoul, Korea, from 11-12 November.

The Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF), together with Media Awareness Network, a not-for-profit centre for media and digital literacy, have launched Canada’s fifth annual Media Literacy Week.

Maia Kobakhidze, a teacher of mathematics - and leader of the Educators and Scientists Free Trade Union of Georgia (ESFTUG) Tbilisi branch - has been unanimously elected ESFTUG's new president.

The Executive Board, the governing body that directs the affairs and activities of Education International between World Congresses in conformity with the resolutions and decisions of the latter, has met in Brussels from 26 to 28 October.

The Korean Teachers and Education Workers’ Union (KTU) has denounced the imminent dismissal of 134 public schools’ teachers and trade unionists by the end of October, violating South Korea Local Education Act.

What’s been described as a near final draft of the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) was released in October amidst confusion over whether a deal had in fact been reached.

The launch of negotiations follows an impasse in talks between the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that began in 2007.

In an apparent about-turn, South African officials now say they are prepared to conclude an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and the five-nation South African Customs Union (SACU) by the year’s end.

A report released the end of August cautions a comprehensive free trade deal between Canada and the European Union could lead to rising greenhouse gas emissions, privatization of water services, and disruptions to "First Nations" communities.

The French Republic is currently experiencing a huge social movement. The outcry against the pension reforms, imposed by Nicolas Sarkozy’s government, has brought the French masses out into the streets.

The High Court in Izmir has yet again postponed until 1 February 2011 its decision in the case concerning 31 public sector unionists, including 27 teacher unionists from Egitim Sen.

This year’s theme of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, “From Poverty to Decent Work: bridging the gap”, is highly relevant to EI’s First World Women’s Conference.

EI is supportive of teacher unionists in Northern Cyprus which face a condemnation by court on 25 October for protesting at funding cuts in education.

EI is inviting member organisations and all concerned individuals to sign an international civil society statement that will be delivered to G-20 leaders during their summit in Seoul from 11–12 November, 2010.

School leaders and representatives of EI member organisations have expressed serious concerns about the impact of the financial and economic crisis on education budgets, trade union and labour rights.