Ei-iE

In 2024, my country, Argentina, was at the epicentre of global education: for one week, the World Congress of Education International (EI) brought together teachers, activists, and trade unionists from all around the globe. The energy was palpable. As a member of the ADIA union, which is part of the Confederation of Argentine Educators (CEA), I had the privilege to witness how our local struggles are the same as those of our colleagues from other countries and regions. It was an experience that not only filled us with pride but also reminded us of the immense power of solidarity.

Prior to this gathering, we often felt alone in our struggle. The fight for fair wages, to defend public education, and protect our day-to-day work can be exhausting. In Argentina, we are faced with constant challenges: budget cuts, under-investment, precarious employment and, in many cases, a painful devaluation of our profession. Added to this is the frustration of seeing no improvement in education provision, which limits our ability to innovate and offer our students the education they deserve. But the EI Congress changed everything. Listening to a teacher from South Africa talk about the fight against the privatisation of education, or a colleague from France describe their efforts to improve working conditions, made us realise that we share the same challenges. The same battle is being fought on different fronts, but the cause is one and the same.

The event was more than just a chance to share experiences; it was a morale boost. I particularly remember the discussions about the impact of artificial intelligence on education. While some viewed it with fear, others debated how to use it to free teachers from administrative tasks and allow them to focus on what really matters: human interaction and developing students’ critical thinking skills. Hearing these different perspectives equipped us with new tools and a broader vision for tackling the technological challenges in our own context. It showed us that the trade union struggle is no longer limited to the streets but also extends to innovation.

Over a year later, the legacy of that meeting lives on in our day-to-day work. The strength we gained during those days is reflected in the cohesion of our confederation, the CEA, and in the way we approach negotiations. We know that we are supported by a global community. This awareness empowers us and gives us the confidence to forge ahead, even when the political or social landscape is unfavourable. Our union and our confederation have gained greater visibility at local and regional levels. Our actions are now noted and supported by a larger community that stretches beyond our borders.

This is, in essence, the power of collective action. It is about more than securing a pay rise or better working conditions, although these are crucial. It is about reminding ourselves and the world that we are protecting a fundamental human right. The solidarity forged in Buenos Aires continues to be the light that guides us and the force that drives us to continue defending quality public education for all. Solidarity makes us stronger. Go Public!