Project Database
EI Mena Initiative
| Country: | Jordan |
| Start Date: | 2008-04-01 |
| Deadline: | |
| Host organisations: |
General Jordanian Union of Workers in Teaching
(GJUWT)
|
| Co-operating organisations: |
EI MENA Consortium
|
| Related Links: | |
| Grouping: | Middle East North Africa Programme |
Project Summary:
The EI Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Initiative started in 2008 and its overall objectives are to provide technical, material and political assistance to teacher organisations in the MENA region, to encourage the development of independent teacher unionism in the region, to provide the means and tools by which teacher organisations can organise and train their membership and teachers in professional issues.
The overall coordination for the MENA initiative is provided by EI in collaboration with cooperating partners (AFT/USA; NUT and NASUWT/UK; UNSA-Education/France; DLF/Denmark; and UEN/Norway) through a working group.
The first MENA seminar was organised in Beirut, from 12-14 October 2009 on the theme: ‘Teacher Unions in the Middle East and North Africa: A Vital element in Labour Rights and Education for All’. It was a very good platform for unions of the region and cooperating partners to get to know each other and deepen their understanding of common challenges. Following this regional seminar, MENA unions were invited to inform EI about their national needs and priorities. In addition EI continued exploring possibilities to work with new independent unions that are not EI members.
The general outcome of the Beirut seminar was a working plan for the period 2010-2011 combining bilateral cooperation among EI partners and members and focusing on capacities and needs of teacher unions and associations at national level.
After an EI mission to Jordan in April 2008, and the affiliation of GJUWT (General Jordanian Union of Workers in Teaching), a plan for cooperation was developed according to the needs of GJUWT aimed at raising awareness about the union, as a first step of a longer term plan aimed at increasing the union membership to 20% in 3 years.
In 2009, a union principles education and awareness training was held from December 3-5.
In 2010, a union organising skills training was held from April 15-16.
Future activities:
A second organising skills training is scheduled for summer 2010 and a training of trainers for organisers in 2011.
Similar projects elsewhere in the region:
Lebanon - Training for union development Lebanon - Training on union development - TSL Palestine - Trade Union Training Palestine - Workshop on the role of school representatives Palestine - Training on Union Democratic Practices and Principles Yemen - Training of trainers on Effective Classroom Techniques
