Project Database
EI Central Asia Initiative
| Country: | Kazakhstan |
| Start Date: | 2008-05-01 |
| Deadline: | |
| Host organisations: |
Kazakhstan National Trade Union of Teachers and Sciences Workers
(KNTUTSW)
|
| Co-operating organisations: |
EI Central Asia Consortium
|
| Related Links: | |
| Grouping: | |
Project Summary:
The Central Asia Initiative was launched in May 2008 by EI and the following cooperating partners: AEU, OAJ, UEN, NEA, Lararforbundet and the AFT at a meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan involving EI affiliates from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The initiative is coordinated by the Central Asia Consortium consisting of EI, AEU, Lararforbundet, OAJ and UEN.
The aim of the initiative is to sensitize elected officials of the teacher unions about the evolving role of teachers in an open, democratic society within a globalised economy; to highlight human and trade union rights issues; and to improve, among others, their understanding of international labour standards, ILO instruments, anti-discrimination policies, children’s rights and other principles core to EI.
The May 2008 meeting enabled EI and the Consortium partners to gain a better understanding of the social, economic and political situation in the Central Asian countries and its impact on education; to become acquainted with the educational systems; to share information on the work and policies of EI, its Consortium partners and the EI affiliates in Central Asia. Furthermore, participating unions identified the priorities and areas of possible cooperation detailed in the Draft National Action Plans (NAPs).
Following up on that meeting and the four national planning workshops that ensued in August and September 2008, a number of workshops were implemented from May to October 2009 on the role of trade union in the market economy and trade union leadership were organized in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
In addition, national evaluation and planning meetings were held in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. The specific objectives of these meetings were to discuss the role of teachers’ union in the market economy, analyze the teachers’ status, in relation to national economic-political course in education, discuss the challenges/problems faced by the teachers, children and schools and formulate possible solutions, raise awareness on the issues of teachers’ union internal work, leadership and administration, discuss the Organizational Development and Planning and share the information and review the essential components and strategies of the campaign for Education for All.
All the objectives and expectations of the workshop were met and participants understood the principles, aims and work of EI including the Central Asia Consortium. They were educated about trade union principles and gained an improved concept of democratic leadership and decision-making processes, in addition to an in-depth understanding of the role of teachers in the market economy. They shared their trade union experiences, built ownership and expressed commitment to the development cooperation project, gained skills in strategic planning, drafted oblast action plans and committed to share with colleagues the knowledge and skills they learned in the workshop.
The activities were widely covered by the broadcast and print media.
Specific activities in 2009 in Kazakhstan:
- Four Oblast Workshops: ‘The Role of Trade Unions in the Market Economy & Trade Union Leadership’ (Taraz, Shymkent, Karaganda & Zhezkasgan)
- One National Evaluation & Planning Workshop (Almaty)
Similar projects elsewhere in the region:
Cambodia - Democratic Leadership Training China - Legal Education India - John Thompson Fellowship Programme Asia India - Membership education Indonesia - PGRI / EI Consortium Project Kyrgyzstan - EI Central Asia Initiative Malaysia - John Thompson Fellowship Programme Mongolia - Trade Union Training Nepal - Trade Union Training Sri Lanka - Trade Union Training Tajikistan - EI Central Asia Initiative Thailand - Leadership Training Uzbekistan - EI Central Asia Initiative
