Latin America
EILA Statement on Venezuela
The Regional Committee of the Education International Latin America (EILA) region released on 28 January its position on recent events in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
The communiqué emphasises that “conflicts must be resolved through peaceful means, negotiation and dialogue between the parties, as proposed by the governments of Mexico and Uruguay, which offered to act as mediators, sanctioning the spirit of fraternity and solidarity that should prevail among governments of Latin American countries.”
Workshop on union political planning in the Dominican Republic
From 3-8February, EILA regional office met with the Asociación Dominicana de Profesores(ADP) new Executive Committee for a workshop on union political planning. Coordination of a work plan, strategic planning, the Latin American Pedagogical Movement (LAPM), opportunities for national unions to make policy proposals for public education, and work undertaken by the LA women’s network were the main topics discussed at the meeting.
First national seminar on gender issues in Colombia
The Federación Colombiana de Educadores(FECODE) held its First national seminar on gender issues in Bogotá, from 15-16 February. This event was part of the plan of action approved by FECODE National Board for the year 2019.
EILA presented on the Latin America’s Network of women workers in education and on equality policies, underlining the need for trade union organisations to work internally towards integrating trade union political strategies promoting equity and balanced repartition of power within trade union organisational structures.
Meeting on LAPM and union proposals for public education in Guatemala
From 26-27 February, EILA regional office met with the Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Educación de Guatemala(STEG) Executive Committee regarding the LAPM work, as well as opportunities for the union to make policy proposals on public education in the country.
Meeting on LAPM and union proposals for public education in El Salvador
From 27-28 February, EILA the regional office met with the Asociación Nacional de Educadores Salvadoreños 21 DE JUNIO(ANDES)Executive Committee regarding the LAPM work, as well as opportunities for the union to make policy proposals for public education in El Salvador.
Meeting with national women’s network in Honduras
The Colegio de Pedagogos de Honduras(COLPEDAGOGOSH) and the Colegio Profesional “Superación Magisterial”(COLPROSUMAH) participated in the activities of the national Network of women workers in education from 28 February-1st March.
EILA facilitated a workshop on equality policy in organisations, and helped participants get a conceptual frame to build a policy document on equality for their unions.
Meeting on women, LAPM and Global Response issues in Panama
The EIAL regional office met on 5 March with the Magisterio Panameño Unido(MPU) Executive Committee regarding the EIAL women’s network, the LAPM and the Global Response Campaign.
XII EILA Regional Conference in Argentina
From 25 -27 April, the EILA regional office travelled to La Plata, for the Conference, where a new Regional Committee was elected.
A public meeting was held on 26 April, where EI General Secretary David Edwards, Brazil Ex-President Dilma Rousseff, Argentine’s Ex-Chancellor Jorge Taiana, andBrazil’s Ex-Deputy Lindberg Farias, addressed participants.
On 27 April, the Conference concluded with the reading and approval by acclamation of the Declaration of the Conference by the EILA affiliates’ representatives.
This Declaration renews the commitment of Latin American education unions to fight “in defence of a secular, free and quality public education, and a full guarantee of human rights and labour rights”.