Ei-iE

The inaugural Conference of Education International’s new Arab Countries Cross-Regional Structure was held this week in the Monroe Hotel in Beirut, Lebanon. The Conference was attended by 44 representatives of 26 EI member organisations from Arab Countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

This new cross-regional structure was established by the EI World Executive Board, after an amendment to the EI Constitution at its 2011 World Congress in Cape Town decided to provide for the establishment of such structures within EI.

The new structure provides a forum for consultation and exchange of ideas between EI member organisations in the designated Arab Countries. It is also a source of advice and guidance for EI itself in the development of its policies and procedures for member organisations in the Arab Countries. It will help to promote EI policies in the region and help teachers and other education workers to organise and promote their views.

EI’s strong support to regional educators’ unions and democracy

In her opening address to the Conference, the EI President, Susan Hopgood, said that, in the context of the rapid political, social and economic changes taking place in many of these countries the Structure has a vital role to play in advising the governing structures of EI itself and in supporting in encouraging the development of the EI member organisations themselves and in assisting the growth and formation of new democratic and independent organisations to represent teachers and other education workers in countries where such organisations do not exist. She added that EI would also like to “support and promote education for all in the region since education was a human right and a public good and should be available readily to all irrespective of their gender, race, creed, physical or mental ability or personal wealth.”

The opening session of the Conference was addressed by the Minister for Education in Lebanon and by representatives of two of the Lebanese affiliates. Hopgood then gave the keynote address on ‘Education and Democracy’.

Important decisions and steps taken

The Conference adopted a resolution on Girls Education and one supporting the action of the member organisations in Lebanon in pursuit of better salaries for their members. It also adopted a statement on the situation regarding education unions and their activities overall in Arab countries which will also be reported on in detail elsewhere on the site.

In addition the Conference elected the first Standing Committee for the Structure. This Committee will meet regularly between Conferences to fulfil the responsibilities of the Structure and assist the new secretariat in its office in Beirut in carrying out its functions.