The Fourth World Congress of Education International, meeting in Porto Alegre (Brazil) from 22 to 26 July 2004:
1. Reiterates its serious concern regarding the situation in Colombia;
2. Denounces the constant aggression and threats affecting trade unionists and teachers;
3. Calls upon the Executive Board to: a. press national governments and inter-governmental bodies at the global and regional level, to end military support for the Colombian government,
b. use their best efforts to insist that social and educational regeneration is given priority, on the basis of a right to free, high quality, public education.
c. urge the Colombian authorities to guarantee teachers' safety and professional and trade union rights, to enable them to play their key role in building a lasting and democratic civil society.
4. Further calls on the Executive Board to give a high priority for programmes for displaced children and teachers in the coming three-year period, in collaboration with appropriate NGOs.