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. News 15 May 2007

    Albania: Teachers’ unions work on child labour prevention in rural areas

    This month, the Trade Union Federation of Education and Science (FSASH-TUFESA) and the Independent Trade Union of Education of Albania (SPASH-ITUEA), the two EI affiliates in the country, have started implementing a project entitled “Child Labour and EFA in Albania: The Teachers’ Contribution.“

    Albania: Teachers’ unions work on child labour prevention in rural areas
  2. News 18 April 2007

    BUT/Barbados steps up efforts to stop child labour

    At a recent Child Labour workshop conducted by the Barbados Ministry of Labour and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Cobin Hinds, Public Relations Officer of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT), spoke about incidences of child labour in Barbados and in particular the exposure of children to hazards on construction...

    BUT/Barbados steps up efforts to stop child labour
  3. News 26 March 2007

    EI calls for Global Effort to Stop Violence against the Girl Child

    This year marks the bicentennial of the end of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, yet slavery remains widespread, particularly among vulnerable girls. The shameful statistics must mobilise us to stop violence against the girl child.

    EI calls for Global Effort to Stop Violence against the Girl Child
  4. News 15 March 2007

    EI reinforces partnerships to combat child labour

    Last month Human Rights Watch and Anti-Slavery convened a meeting in London between trade union and non governmental organizations to discuss the issue of child domestic workers.

    EI reinforces partnerships to combat child labour
  5. News 9 March 2007

    EI Europe launches its electronic Pan-European Women’s Network

    On International Women’s Day, 8 March, Equality Officers from 138 EI member organisations in 44 European countries received an invitation to take part in EI's electronic Pan-European Women’s Network (PEWN).

    EI Europe launches its electronic Pan-European Women’s Network
  6. News 8 March 2007

    On International Women’s Day, EI Latin America launches the Gender Equity Project

    On International Women’s Day and within the framework of the 6th EI Latin American Regional Conference, 32 education sector unions from 18 countries in the region are launching the “Equity with Gender Perspective” project.

    On International Women’s Day, EI Latin America launches the Gender Equity Project
  7. News 5 March 2007

    The Fight for Gender Equality Must Continue, says EI on the occasion of International Women's Day

    On the occasion of International Women's Day, Education International reminds its member organisations that the fight for gender equality must continue, especially when there is still a huge gap in pay parity and working conditions between men and women in many parts of the world.

    The Fight for Gender Equality Must Continue, says EI on the occasion of International Women's Day
  8. News 23 February 2007

    EI-PSI-ITUC Joint Statement on the 51st Session of the UN Comission on the Status of Women, New York, March 2007

    Over 50 million women from 160 countries belong to trade unions, making the union movement the single largest voice of working women. Unions have a global reach, members working in all types of jobs, from professionals to low-skilled workers and in the informal economy.

    EI-PSI-ITUC Joint Statement on the 51st Session of the UN Comission on the Status of Women, New York, March 2007
  9. News 12 February 2007

    Albanian Unions receive award for efforts on child labour

    At the National Education Exhibition (NOT) in the Netherlands held in Utrecht from 23-27 Jan 2007 Stavri Liko, Coordinator of the Child Labour Programme of EI affiliates in Albania, picked up a cheque for € 17,750 in support of the programme.

    Albanian Unions receive award for efforts on child labour
  10. 1 January 2007

    Childhood is for school and play, not work

    There are mountains of garbage, as far as the eye can see. Vultures circle overhead. The heat is oppressive. Dust chokes the lungs. Above all, a powerful stench pervades the scene.

    Childhood is for school and play, not work
  11. 1 November 2006

    Women educators unite across Europe

    All those who share the belief in education as an intrinsic human right also share the responsibility of promoting non-discrimination in our unions, our schools and our societies.

    Women educators unite across Europe
  12. News 30 June 2006

    EI: Satisfaction over UN Human Rights Council's adoption of the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

    EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen expressed satisfaction over the decision of the UN Human Rights Council to adopt the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. “The Declaration will strengthen the international human rights system and will promote mutual respect between indigenous peoples and states”, he said.

    EI: Satisfaction over UN Human Rights Council's adoption of the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples