David Edwards
David Edwards, PhD, is General Secretary of Education International (EI), the voice of teachers and education employees around the world. Through its 375 member organisations, Education International represents over 33 million teachers and education support personnel in 180 countries and territories. Dr Edwards also currently chairs the Council of Global Unions and serves on numerous boards where he represents the teaching profession globally such as, the SDG4 High Level Steering Committee, Education Cannot Wait, The Education 4.0 Alliance and the International Summits on the Teaching Profession (ISTP).
Dr Edwards has led Education International since 2018, following seven years as Deputy General Secretary, where he directed education policy, advocacy, research, and communications.
Prior to joining Education International, Dr Edwards was an Associate Director at the National Education Association of the United States. He also worked as an Education Specialist at the Organisation of American States and began his career as a public high school teacher. Follow Dr Edwards on LinkedIn.
Written by David Edwards
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Union growth 25 April 2019 “Let’s spark a global discussion on copyright exceptions for education and research!”, by David Edwards
David Edwards
Today it’s World Intellectual Property Day – a good day to remind us that it’s time to reform copyright law. We need action to change copyright systems that are hindering free expression and failing to promote diverse and prosperous societies for the benefit of all.
“Let’s spark a global discussion on copyright exceptions for education and research!”, by David Edwards -
Leading the profession 2 April 2019 "Education should not be a waiting room for life", by David Edwards.
David Edwards
“It is often argued that the purpose of early childhood education is to prepare children for school, so that schools, in turn, can prepare children for adulthood and for the work force. This approach reduces childhood to a waiting room.” -- Steffen Handal, President, Education Union of Norway (UEN).
"Education should not be a waiting room for life", by David Edwards. -
Leading the profession 25 March 2019 “Finland leads the way”, by David Edwards.
David Edwards
Sometimes it appears that hope is draining from the world and that, for both young and old, pessimism is becoming the default position. The trouble with pessimism is that it is negative. It annuls the ability to act; to create something better which benefits future generations. I believe that education...
“Finland leads the way”, by David Edwards. -
Union growth 20 March 2019 “Time to shine a bright light on and act in the Philippines”, by David Edwards, Anthony Bellanger, and Ambet Yuson
Anthony Bellanger, Ambet Yuson, David Edwards
Democracy is threatened from within in many countries where authoritarian, often populist and nationalist forces have gained ground. Institutions of democracy have been attacked. The Philippines is one such country.
“Time to shine a bright light on and act in the Philippines”, by David Edwards, Anthony Bellanger, and Ambet Yuson -
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 14 March 2019 “Success comes only to those countries that invest in education”, by Olli Luukkainen and David Edwards.
Olli Luukkainen, David Edwards
Humanity is faced with many threats including climate change and threats to the environment. A vision is needed for these problems to be solved. Changing lifestyles and consumption habits can contribute to solving these problems but at the heart of helping humanity to survive is education, training and research.
“Success comes only to those countries that invest in education”, by Olli Luukkainen and David Edwards. -
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 28 February 2019 "Students and Climate Change: A Lesson in Global Citizenship", by David Edwards
David Edwards
Student mobilisation on climate change is a strong call on democracy to deliver for the planet. It is a rejection of “climate deniers”, but also of “business as usual.” Its ultimate success will depend on expanding the mobilisation while graduating from protest to politics, including by linking lower carbon emissions...
"Students and Climate Change: A Lesson in Global Citizenship", by David Edwards -
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 30 January 2019 “Is the World Bank taking the right approach to ensure #successfulteachers?”, by David Edwards
David Edwards
Critical questions on the Bank’s new classroom observation tool, Teach.
“Is the World Bank taking the right approach to ensure #successfulteachers?”, by David Edwards -
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 22 January 2019 Work with a human face, by David Edwards
David Edwards
Life-long learning means different things to different people. However, some common principles for lifelong learning are essential for a global consensus on a human-centred agenda for the future of work.
Work with a human face, by David Edwards -
Trade union rights are human rights 10 December 2018 #UDHR70 - "On Dignity: Reflections on the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights", by David Edwards
David Edwards
The 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights is an occasion to be inspired by its principles and its origin. It is an opportunity for trade unionists and educators to reflect on its values and the aspirations it represents and to stand up, speak out and act. It...
#UDHR70 - "On Dignity: Reflections on the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights", by David Edwards -
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 10 October 2018 "What’s wrong with the World Bank’s Human Capital Index?", by David Edwards
David Edwards
The Human Capital Index is a measurement tool created by the World Bank to influence countries to invest more in health and education. With increased education financing a longstanding key demand of Education International and so crucial to achieve SDG4, one might wonder why I am sceptical about this index?...
"What’s wrong with the World Bank’s Human Capital Index?", by David Edwards -
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 3 October 2018 “The Global Status of teachers and the Teaching Profession”, by David Edwards
David Edwards
World Teachers Day is an ideal moment to reflect on the status of the world’s teachers. Today, Education International will release its triennial report on this very issue. Education is at the centre of improvements to living standards and quality of life, yet we now increasingly face pressures and threats...
“The Global Status of teachers and the Teaching Profession”, by David Edwards -
Leading the profession 16 May 2018 Celebrating education’s unsung heroes, by David Edwards
David Edwards
In quality education systems around the world, behind student success there are invisible armies of education support personnel (ESP). These under-recognised workers are too often forgotten or ignored, but are absolutely vital for student success and wellbeing.
Celebrating education’s unsung heroes, by David Edwards