Ei-iE

Jens Kalaene
Jens Kalaene

Equity and inclusion

We defend and promote the principles of equity and equality in education, in education unions and in society. We are fully committed to combating all forms of racism and of bias or discrimination due age, disability, ethnicity or indigeneity, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation, language, marital status, migratory status, political activism, religion, socio-economic status, trade union affiliation, among others. We are committed to addressing these forms of discrimination through an intersectional lens, which enables a deeper understanding of the complexities of lived experiences.

I think Education International has a leadership role to play… If we’re going to have a more civil society, a more inclusive society, then we have to model that by including men but women as well, people of different ethnic groups or religious backgrounds. All of us have to be involved and be at the table and have that kind of respect.

Professor Mary Hatwood Futrell, First elected EI President, 1993–2004

Promoting and advancing gender equality has always been an Education International priority. We believe that education can play a key role in empowering women and girls and can contribute to breaking through the cycle of gender discrimination. The Education International Gender Equality Action Plan highlights three main priorities:

  1. Promoting women’s leadership and participation within education unions;
  2. Taking action to increase intersectional gender equality in and through education;
  3. Promoting and securing women’s economic empowerment.

The unequal and gendered impact of the COVID-19 pandemic risks erasing years of progress on equity and inclusion throughout the world. Together with our member organisations, we mobilise to challenge and help dismantle all structures of inequality in education and beyond. As part of this work, we have called for equity audits to be conducted at all levels of education in order to ensure the pandemic does not define the lives of an entire generation of students.

Our work in this area

  1. Worlds of Education 15 September 2023

    Equitable access to the teaching profession is vital to quality education

    Mary Metcalfe

    When I was asked to draft a contribution on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for the UN High-Panel on the Teaching Profession , I agreed without hesitation because I believe that equitable access to the teaching profession (for those working in classrooms and those working at different levels of the system)...

    Equitable access to the teaching profession is vital to quality education
  2. Worlds of Education 25 August 2023

    Resisting and reimagining Artificial Intelligence

    Neil Selwyn

    In light of the recent hysteria around Chat-GPT, Education International member organisations might well groan at having to read yet another post about Artificial Intelligence and education. However, unfortunately AI is not a topic that educators can afford to completely tune out from. Indeed, there are a lot of people...

    Resisting and reimagining Artificial Intelligence
  3. Worlds of Education 17 August 2023

    Te Maeva Nui Celebrations

    Georgina Mataroa

    Te Maeva Nui is a significant event in the Cook Islands that celebrates our culture, traditions, and the progress we have made as a nation. As a self-governing territory associated with New Zealand, we have ample opportunities to travel and support our people's success and well-being.

    Te Maeva Nui Celebrations
  4. Worlds of Education 8 August 2023

    Truth and Reconciliation: the responsibility of education and teachers towards Sami, Kven and Forest Finn communities in Norway

    Kathrine Blyverket

    In 2018, Norway’s Parliament established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to examine historic policies and activities relating to Indigenous Peoples, including attempts to assimilate them. On 1 June 2023, after five years of work, the commission presented its report , based on interviews with more than 700 people, illustrating very...

    Truth and Reconciliation: the responsibility of education and teachers towards Sami, Kven and Forest Finn communities in Norway
  5. Statements 8 August 2023

    International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2023

    EI Statement

    On 9 August, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Education International reaffirms the rights of Indigenous Peoples and youth to quality, culturally relevant education at all levels. The ability of Indigenous Peoples to control and implement their own education systems in Indigenous or traditional languages is an exercise...

    International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2023
  6. News 31 July 2023

    Empowering Women Education Workers: Summary of the EILA Regional Network Meeting

    The meeting provided an opportunity for analysis of the current situation, workshops and discussions between colleagues from all over the region. Initiatives such as the campaign for the ratification of ILO Convention 190 and the launch of the Network’s Observatory: Sumemos Igualdad (Let’s Ad Equality).

    Empowering Women Education Workers: Summary of the EILA Regional Network Meeting
  7. News 20 July 2023

    Australia: Better access to higher education for Indigenous students in major reform of the sector

    The Australian government has announced a set of reforms aiming to increase access to higher education for Indigenous students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. All Indigenous students will be guaranteed a Commonwealth-supported place at the university of their choice.

    Australia: Better access to higher education for Indigenous students in major reform of the sector
  8. Worlds of Education 19 July 2023

    Addressing and combating racism through education in Brazil

    Luanda Julião

    “Raise your hand if you have ever been a victim of racism.” That was the first sentence I said to my pupils in a secondary school class, in order to discuss the issue of racism and its social ramifications.

    Addressing and combating racism through education in Brazil
  9. Research

    Chemical attacks on female students in Iran

    7 July 2023

    This research examines the sexual discrimination and oppression experienced by female students in Iran, particularly within the educational system. Discriminatory practices, rooted in religious political movements and the establishment of an authoritarian regime after the Islamic Revolution of 1979, create significant barriers for female students, hindering their progress and equal...

    Chemical attacks on female students in Iran
    1. Download
  10. Worlds of Education 6 July 2023

    Past and present, women persist in their unions

    Susan Hopgood

    Three years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, teacher unionists were in an optimistic mood. Mary Hatwood Futrell, president of the US-based National Education Association, rose to address a global gathering of teacher leaders in Stockholm as Education International was born.

    Past and present, women persist in their unions
  11. News 3 July 2023

    Developing Child Labour Free Zones is a key to protecting children’s right to education

    “This fight against child labour is grounded in Education International’s belief that education is a human right,” described Pedi Anawi, regional coordinator of EI Africa. “We believe that no child should be left behind.” Child labour prevents children from receiving the education they are entitled to. The online DC (development...

    Developing Child Labour Free Zones is a key to protecting children’s right to education
  12. Statements 19 June 2023

    World Refugee Day: The imperative to save lives and give hope

    The recent shipwreck in the Mediterranean that claimed hundreds of lives highlights once again the plight of those fleeing conflict, poverty, and persecution. Education International and education unions around the world call on all governments to respect the rights of all refugees without discrimination of any kind. Lives must be...

    World Refugee Day: The imperative to save lives and give hope
  13. Statements 10 June 2023

    Education International Statement on World Day against Child Labour

    On World Day against Child Labour, Education International (EI) and its member organisations reiterate their commitment to advocate for the millions of children around the globe who are being exploited through child labour of any form. EI is committed to raising awareness, advocating, and working to eradicate child labour and...

    Education International Statement on World Day against Child Labour
  14. News 9 June 2023

    Eradicating child labour and getting children (back) into school: a fight waged by teachers and their unions around the world

    “One of my pupils, aged 9, had already left for Kayes, 750 km from our village, to work in a gold mine, because of his family's economic situation. His father told me that if I could go to Kayes, he would allow his son to return to school. I borrowed...

    Eradicating child labour and getting children (back) into school: a fight waged by teachers and their unions around the world
  15. Worlds of Education 8 June 2023

    Shining a light on the right to education in Afghanistan

    Joseph Nhan-O’Reilly

    Today, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations will discuss the desperate situation of human rights in Afghanistan, at the International Labour Conference, in Geneva. Through the Afghan Teachers’ Rights Observatory , Education International collects testimonies and calls attention to the terrible conditions facing teachers and...

    Shining a light on the right to education in Afghanistan
  16. Statements 17 May 2023

    IDAHOBIT 2023: Everyone belongs in our unions!

    On May 17th, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), Education International (EI) renews its commitment to human rights, respect, social justice, dignity for all, and solidarity.

    IDAHOBIT 2023: Everyone belongs in our unions!
  17. Worlds of Education 17 May 2023

    Who our students see

    Anthony Brisson

    As an educator who taught at the secondary and university levels, I quickly realized education support personnel (ESP) are the glue to our public schools. ESP are often the first people our students see when they are going to school, and the last people our students see when they get...

    Who our students see
  18. Worlds of Education 11 May 2023

    The struggle for the rights and dignity of education support personnel in private schools in Nepal

    Shyam Chhatkuli

    Our union, the Institutional Schools Teachers' Union (ISTU) brings together teachers and education support personnel working in privately funded schools in Nepal. Our mission is to improve the working conditions of our members, ensure their rights are respected, and their important role recognized. Our work is essential, but it is...

    The struggle for the rights and dignity of education support personnel in private schools in Nepal