Ei-iE

Motofumi Makieda, one of the leaders who laid the foundations for the creation of Education International, passed away in Tokyo on 4 December. He was aged 89.

Education International congratulates Thulas Nxesi on his appointment as the Deputy Minister for Rural Development and Land Reform. Mr Nxesi served as Education International's president from 2004-2009.

Norah Tebaweesa, Olivia Muhumuza and Anthony Oluka, have each won Uganda’s Teachers Making a Difference Award which seeks to recognise those teachers that have made big contributions to the communities they live in.

Delegates at EI’s Africa Regional Conference in Brazzaville, Congo, are debating ways in which to address the enormous challenges facing education and educators across the continent.

The European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) has opened a call for external expertise on a Europe-wide survey on the impact of psycho-social factors on teachers.

“Today is a good day for teacher trade unionism in Europe. We are showing unity and solidarity, and are going be able to use our resources more effectively."

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.

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.

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.

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.

In the face of cuts to public services, leaders of trade unions, governments and civil society have made the unprecedented joint commitment to work together.

In a rousing call to action, Greenpeace’s Kumi Naidoo has told 400 delegates at the Quality Public Services - Action Now! Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, to challenge the threat to vital public services with “peace, principles and courage”.

“There is no work-life harmony; there is only work-life integration – you have to live as you work.” This joke set the tone for the Young Workers’ Forum held on 11 October, leading into the Quality Public Services, Action Now! Conference.

Educators from across Africa are invited to attend the seventh Education International (EI) Africa Region Conference, to take place in November, in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

Trade unions across the world are mobilising on 7 October to tackle the global economic and employment crisis and demand fundamental reform of the world economy.

Landmark international conference brings together private and public sector workers, government and civil society leaders Quality Public Services – Action Now! October 12-14, Geneva, Switzerland

As the countdown begins to Education International’s Sixth World Congress in Cape Town, South Africa, the registration process for the thousands of participants is now live.