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 14 June 2016

    Global condemnation of travel ban for Bahraini education union leader

    Education International has joined other international organisations in firmly condemning the travel ban imposed on Bahraini teacher unionist Jalila al-Salman as she attempted to attend the Svensson Award ceremony in Oslo, Norway.

    Global condemnation of travel ban for Bahraini education union leader
  2. News 14 June 2016

    Global appeal launched to free Canadian academic from Iranian prison

    Efforts are underway to pressure the Iranian authorities to release Canadian academic Homa Hoodfar, who is being held in Tehran’s Evin prison after being arrested on baseless charges while in the country.

    Global appeal launched to free Canadian academic from Iranian prison
  3. News 8 June 2016

    It takes a whole school, if not a whole society, to teach about human rights

    Preparing today’s learners for their multicultural reality goes well beyond teaching human rights as a stand-alone lesson in the classroom, instead requiring the creation of an environment where everyone understands, values and protects human rights.

    It takes a whole school, if not a whole society, to teach about human rights
  4. News 7 June 2016

    Universal values at heart of human rights education

    The foundation for an education based on a human rights-centric approach, encompassing universal values of understanding and tolerance, and of seeing cultural differences as opportunity rather than threat was the message today in Riga, Latvia.

    Universal values at heart of human rights education
  5. News 6 June 2016

    Ecuador: Education unions under fire

    The Ecuadorian government’s harsh attacks on trade union rights and the response by educators were put under the spotlight at the 2016 International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Ecuador: Education unions under fire
  6. News 2 June 2016

    Privatisation of education under scrutiny at ILO Conference

    The threat represented by the lack of public investment in education, the trend toward privatisation and the erosion of the fundamental labour rights of educators was put on the table at the annual ILO Conference in Geneva.

    Privatisation of education under scrutiny at ILO Conference
  7. News 31 May 2016

    International Labour Conference to address teachers’ labour rights

    With the 105th Session of the International Labour Conference about to kick-off in Geneva, Switzerland, education unions from around the world are set to strongly represent the rights and working conditions of teachers.

    International Labour Conference to address teachers’ labour rights
  8. News 31 May 2016

    Belgium: Halt to cuts in public services!

    A general strike and mass demonstrations hit Belgium today. Trade unions protested against austerity measures, including cuts in the education budget, and condemning also a breakdown of social dialogue.

    Belgium: Halt to cuts in public services!
  9. News 16 May 2016

    Imprisoned Iranian trade unionist set free on bail

    Esmail Abdi, the general secretary of the Tehran branch of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association, has been released on bail after spending months behind bars on security charges.

    Imprisoned Iranian trade unionist set free on bail
  10. News 21 April 2016

    “Speak Truth To Power Canada” receives national award

    The online teacher resource on human rights, “Speak Truth To Power Canada”, has received this year’s Award of Outstanding Achievement in New Media by the Canadian Museums Association.

    “Speak Truth To Power Canada” receives national award
  11. News 19 April 2016

    Report reveals Boko Haram’s devastating toll on education in northeast Nigeria

    A new Human Rights Watch report shows that Boko Haram’s targeted attacks on schools, students, and teachers have affected all strata of life in Nigeria’s northeast, with education as the fault line of the conflict.

    Report reveals Boko Haram’s devastating toll on education in northeast Nigeria
  12. News 4 April 2016

    Bahrain: Teacher leader freed after five years in prison

    Earlier today, Mahdi Abu Dheeb, leader of the Bahrain Teachers Association, an EI affiliate in the country, was released from prison. He had been held in detention since 2011, when he was sentenced to a prison sentence for the simple fact of calling for a teachers’ strike in support of...

    Bahrain: Teacher leader freed after five years in prison
  13. News 17 March 2016

    Iranian teacher unionists released after global solidarity campaign

    Abdolreza Ghanbari and Ali Akbar Baghani, members of the Iranian Teacher Trade Associations, for whom Education International had launched a solidarity campaign, have been released. Ghanbari had been awaiting execution for 2 years before his sentence was commuted to 15 years’ imprisonment.

    Iranian teacher unionists released after global solidarity campaign
  14. News 9 March 2016

    Tonga joins the ILO

    A hard-fought 10-year trade union battle has borne fruit with Tonga becoming the 187th member state of the International Labour Organisation.

    Tonga joins the ILO
  15. News 8 March 2016

    Honduras: Prominent human rights defender murdered

    The global education trade union movement has firmly condemned the murder of environmentalist and human rights defender Berta Caceres.

    Honduras: Prominent human rights defender murdered
  16. News 24 February 2016

    Haiti: political violence claims academic’s life

    The killing of a teacher unionist has exposed the deteriorating political situation in Haiti where the country was left to linger in constitutional limbo following the resignation of President Michel Martelly.

    Haiti: political violence claims academic’s life