The 2nd ITUC World Congress, taking place in Vancouver from 21–25 June, has closed with a firm resolve to struggle for the attainment of quality public services and education for all, as a key part of the strategy to exit the global economic crisis.
EI and its affiliates’ hard work and coordination at the Congress which was themed: Now the people - From the crisis to global justice, resulted in the principle of Education for All being included as the seventh priority in the ITUC’s main resolution on the report of the Congress.
Building up to the finale today, EI President, Susan Hopgood, participated in a rally of trade union activists on 23 June, in support of Global Social Justice and World Public Services Day. Addressing 1,500 people outside the Vancouver Convention Centre, Hopgood spoke about bringing solidarity to the activists on behalf of the 30 million teachers and education workers members of EI.
Hopgood declared: ”The global financial crisis has exposed the failure of market ideology and neo-liberalism. There is no greater gift that we can give our future generations than that of quality public education for all, recognising that education is the weapon against poverty and injustice.”
In an address to the Congress plenary, EI General Secretary, Fred Van Leeuwen, raised his growing concerns about the public sector having to shoulder the greatest burden of the crisis. He brought to the attention of the audience the plight of hundreds of thousands of teachers – many of whom are EI members of affiliates – that had lost their jobs, as well as highlighting the major cuts in education funding that national governments are currently implementing across the world.
Van Leeuwen also sent out a stark challenge to global leaders in general, and to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) President, Mr Strauss-Kahn, in particular. Van Leeuwen said: “After listening carefully to Mr Strauss-Kahn when he spoke to us yesterday, I still want to ask him: ‘what is the point of bailing out speculators but failing to fund education for young people and training for workers?’”
Referring to the mortgaging of the younger generations’ future, Van Leeuwen continued: “Should any of us be surprised when young people reject our talk of social justice, of democracy and fairness, and social cohesion, and simply revolt? For a young person today, what is the difference between a street corner hustler and a wheeler-dealer in the global economy? I’d like answers to those questions from Mr Strauss-Kahn, the IMF, and all our leaders at the G20 and the UN!”
Van Leeuwen concluded by reminding delegates about the critical role of education in building an alternative model of sustainable development, which was clearly different to the prevailing neo-liberal model that had failed millions of people. He stated: “Let us not forget that the basic building blocks of decent work, better quality of life and a greener economy all start in the classroom.”