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. News 9 August 2017

    Cyprus: 68th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration

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

    Cyprus: 68th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration
  2. News 4 August 2017

    Turkey: Threat of curriculum manipulation to replace science with Islamic worldview

    Secularism – the division between state and religious institutions –, a historic value of the Turkish political system, is being undermined by changes to the country’s school curriculum, which propose to oust the scientific theory of evolution in favour of an Islamic worldview.

    Turkey: Threat of curriculum manipulation to replace science with Islamic worldview
  3. Worlds of Education 2 August 2017

    A Long Way to Go: An Analysis of Inclusive Education for Disabled Girls Globally

    Tania Principe

    Disabled girls are among the most marginalised and poorly educated groups in the world. They have not been a priority in international development, education, or arguably, disability organisations.

    A Long Way to Go: An Analysis of Inclusive Education for Disabled Girls Globally
  4. News 27 July 2017

    Philippines: End attacks against indigenous teachers, students and schools

    Education International has called on its member organisations to condemn the continuous harassment and attacks against students, teachers and human rights activists of the Lumad indigenous communities on Mindanao island in the Philippines.

    Philippines: End attacks against indigenous teachers, students and schools
  5. News 20 July 2017

    Serbia: 67th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration 

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

    Serbia: 67th country to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration 
  6. Worlds of Education 18 July 2017

    Preparing for Difficult Conversations

    Felisa Tibbitts

    How can educators facilitate difficult conversations in their classrooms?  If we believe that democratic citizenship is linked with engagement in social issues, then undoubtedly these topics also include those that make us feel uncomfortable. Or are complex or even unresolvable. If there are different points of view on a hot...

    Preparing for Difficult Conversations
  7. News 17 July 2017

    Saudi Arabia: Call to halt execution of peaceful protestors

    Education International strongly urges Saudi Arabian authorities to halt the execution of student Mujtaba’a al-Sweikat and other men facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia for protest-related offences.

    Saudi Arabia: Call to halt execution of peaceful protestors
  8. News 4 July 2017

    Niger: Trade unionist teacher elected to National Commission on Human Rights

    In a significant move, the General Secretary of the Syndicat National des Agents de la Formation et de l'Education du Niger, has been appointed as the workers’ representative on the National Commission on Human Rights in Niger.

    Niger: Trade unionist teacher elected to National Commission on Human Rights
  9. 26 June 2017

    Education and Training Policy in the European Semester - Public Investment, Public Policy, Social Dialogue and Privatisation Patterns across Europe

    The European Union has answered to the economic and financial crisis, adopting the Europe 2020 Strategy plan for sustainable, smart economic growth. Education, employment, fighting poverty and social exclusion are at the hearth of the Europe 2020 Strategy and the EU-policy making, coordinated through the European Semester coordination. Since the...

    Education and Training Policy in the European Semester - Public Investment, Public Policy, Social Dialogue and Privatisation Patterns across Europe
  10. News 26 June 2017

    Human rights and citizenship education crucial to harmony in democratic societies

    Education International’s Deputy General Secretary, Haldis Holst, has strongly reaffirmed the importance of human rights and citizenship education to meet global challenges and achieve mutual respect in democratic societies.

    Human rights and citizenship education crucial to harmony in democratic societies
  11. News 16 June 2017

    Botswana education unions uphold the right to effective collective bargaining

    In response to the government’s clampdown on workers’ rights, the Botswana Sectors of Education Trade Unions and Education International took their fight to the global stage at the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Botswana education unions uphold the right to effective collective bargaining
  12. News 16 June 2017

    Canada: teachers celebrate repeal of anti-labour legislation

    For the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, the repeal of the bill, which limited the rights of labour unions, is a major win after an extensive national campaign was launched to end the conservative policy.

    Canada: teachers celebrate repeal of anti-labour legislation
  13. News 14 June 2017

    Turkey: Urgent action needed

    International pressure on the Turkish government is rising since the arrest of the Chair of Amnesty International Turkey, Taner Kılıç. He has been detained on bogus charges of terrorism since 6 June.

    Turkey: Urgent action needed
  14. News 13 June 2017

    USA: teachers work to stop deportation of undocumented students

    The American Federation of Teachers has issued its Immigrant Youth Guide in Spanish, a tool that helps teachers support and prepare undocumented students in the event of government immigration raids.

    USA: teachers work to stop deportation of undocumented students
  15. News 9 June 2017

    Ecuador: Educators receive widespread support at ILO

    With freedom of association in Ecuador severely hampered, education union UNE is taking its demands to a higher level at the International Labour Conference in Geneva.

    Ecuador: Educators receive widespread support at ILO