Project Database
EI Mena Initiative
| Country: | Palestine |
| Start Date: | 2008-06-01 |
| Deadline: | |
| Host organisations: |
General Union of Palestinian Teachers
(GUPT)
|
| 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.
With the aim of enhancing the capacity of GUPT (General Union of Palestinian Teachers), increasing its representation of young teachers, and encouraging gender equality, EI and MENA working group unions (UEN, Lararforbundet, AFT , NUT) support GUPT to achieve the following objectives: to support GUPT infra structure, to have better financial management and representation of GUPT.
Activities from 2008 to date:
- A cooperation plan with Nordic unions UEN and Lararforbundet (2009-2011)
- Summer camps by NUT/UK – summers of 2008 and 2010
- Infrastructure and internal organisation support by EI (2009-2010)
Future planned training:
- Leadership training with AFT – summer 2010
Similar projects elsewhere in the region:
Egypt - Social Dialogue with Teachers Unions in Egypt Iraq - Capacity Building Iraq - Organizing, Capacity Building Iraq - EI Mena Initiative Kuwait - EI Mena Initiative Lebanon - EI Mena Initiative Yemen - Democratic Union Leadership, Professional Development Yemen - EI Mena Initiative
