Ei-iE

Democracy

Democracy is vital to healthy societies and critical to ensuring all human rights are respected. Essential as it is, democracy is not irreversible. In recent years, even established democracies have witnessed the rise of authoritarianism that threatens to tear the very fabric of our communities.

Defending and advancing democracy is central to the purpose of the trade union movement in education. The right to education, trade union rights and freedom of expression are critical enabling rights that help to leverage other rights. Together with our member organisations, we mobilise in support of democracy through trade union action and through education.

If we want democracy, we have to demand it, and we have to be able to educate children who will make and remake it.

Timothy Snyder

We believe that the strongest safeguard of democracy is quality education with trained and supported teachers who enjoy full professional autonomy. Some of the profession’s collective wisdom was brought together in “On Education and Democracy: 25 Lessons from the Teaching Profession”. Authored by our President, Susan Hopgood, and our General Secretary Emeritus, Fred van Leeuwen, the book serves as an invitation to all educators to take a stand in defence of democracy and to consider contributions that teachers, schools, universities, and representative organisations can make to solidify and progress democratic life.

Our work in this area

  1. Statements 14 October 2024

    Solidarity with Unionists, Teachers, and Students in Lebanon

    Education International (EI) reaffirms its longstanding commitment to advocating for lasting peace, security, and the protection of human rights in the Middle East. We call on all State Parties, and non-state actors to end the violence, enforce an immediate ceasefire, and restore the functioning of schools throughout the region.

    Solidarity with Unionists, Teachers, and Students in Lebanon
  2. News 7 October 2024

    World Day for Decent Work: Educators call for peace

    On October 7, World Day for Decent Work, educators around the world join the global union movement in calling for peace and democracy for all. Without peace, there can be no social justice, and without social justice, peace cannot last.

    World Day for Decent Work: Educators call for peace
  3. News 26 September 2024

    Mexico: teachers unite for peace

    On the occasion of International Day of Peace, on 21 September, the SNTE, an affiliate of Education International (EI) in Mexico, launched a permanent campaign under the heading “Arm yourself with valour for a culture of peace!” (¡Ármate de valor por una cultura de paz!), to promote peace and non-violence...

    Mexico: teachers unite for peace
  4. Worlds of Education 21 August 2024

    Education Voices | Georgiy Trukhanov, Laureate of the 2024 Fred van Leeuwen Democracy Award

    Georgiy Trukhanov

    At Education International’s 10th World Congress, Georgiy Trukhanov was awarded the 2024 Fred van Leeuwen Democracy Award. In this interview, Georgiy looks back on his experience as a union leader defending democracy in wartime.

    Education Voices | Georgiy Trukhanov, Laureate of the 2024 Fred van Leeuwen Democracy Award
  5. News 20 August 2024

    Global union movement rallies in support of the world’s educators

    Teachers and education support personnel are the cornerstone of a sustainable, equitable, peaceful, and democratic future for all communities worldwide. This was the message delivered by top global union leaders at the 10th World Congress of Education International (EI) held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

    Global union movement rallies in support of the world’s educators
  6. News 12 August 2024

    Education International’s 10th World Congress makes a strong call for peace

    Education union leaders meeting in Buenos Aires for the 10th Education International World Congress have adopted several resolutions in solidarity with educators and students affected by war and armed conflict and that call for the protection of schools as safe sanctuaries. Unionists also highlighted the role of education in building...

    Education International’s 10th World Congress makes a strong call for peace
  7. News 31 July 2024

    Trade unions rally against far-right nationalism and mobilize for rights and gender equality

    Education trade unions worldwide are advocating for fully funded, inclusive public education systems to counter the rising tide of far-right nationalism and authoritarianism. This urgent plea was made during a breakout session titled “Mobilizing for Rights and Gender Equality in the Face of Far-Right Nationalism and Authoritarianism,” held on July...

    Trade unions rally against far-right nationalism and mobilize for rights and gender equality
  8. Worlds of Education 30 July 2024

    The fight for public education and universities in present-day Argentina

    Yamile Socolovsky

    Public education in Argentina is under threat from a political agenda that has made its way into the national government and aims to – in the words of President Javier Milei himself – “destroy the state from within”. Arguing that the state is a “criminal organisation” that attacks freedom (of...

    The fight for public education and universities in present-day Argentina
  9. Worlds of Education 26 July 2024

    A Long Journey to “Cham Education” and Democracy

    Hyunsu Hwang

    “A teacher who does not accept a bribe from parents, a teacher who publishes a class yearbook or a class newspaper with students, a teacher who works hard to teach, a teacher who promotes students’ autonomy and creativity, a teacher who speaks up for other teachers, and a teacher who...

    A Long Journey to “Cham Education” and Democracy
  10. News 25 June 2024

    Global Rights Index stresses the critical connection between workers’ rights and democracy

    "This year’s report makes for difficult reading – a clear and urgent wake-up call that the future of democracy and fundamental rights agreed by most countries at an international level are at risk”, warned Luc Triangle, ITUC General Secretary, as introduction to the 2024 ITUC Global Rights Index .

    Global Rights Index stresses the critical connection between workers’ rights and democracy
  11. Take action! 5 June 2024

    Solidarity with education communities in Haiti

    Ever since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, armed gangs have continued to gain ground, to the point of paralysing most activities in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Hospitals, police stations, and schools have been targeted by gangs, set on fire, and destroyed. In three years, thousands of people...

    Solidarity with education communities in Haiti
  12. Statements 30 May 2024

    Global union leaders affirm support for Palestinian trade unions and the Palestinian people

    This week leaders of eight Global Union Federations (GUFs) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) travelled to Ramallah to convey their solidarity to unions in the West Bank and Gaza. These organisations represent almost every sector of the global economy and have members in more than 150 countries representing...

    Global union leaders affirm support for Palestinian trade unions and the Palestinian people
  13. News 27 May 2024

    Fostering peace through education: A priority for Japanese and Korean unions

    In a world overrun with conflict and war, the story of education unions in Japan and Korea is an example of how education can be used to build peace. The two nations share a complicated history. They have fought on and off since at least the 7th Century. In 1910,...

    Fostering peace through education: A priority for Japanese and Korean unions
  14. News 13 May 2024

    Development cooperation and the push for privatization of education in Latin America: A view from the front lines

    The Director of the Education International Latin America (EILA) regional office, Combertty Rodríguez, offered a detailed analysis of the growing trend towards the privatization of education in Latin America, revealing the complexities and challenges facing education unionists and public education systems amidst political, economic, and social pressures. He was adamant...

    Development cooperation and the push for privatization of education in Latin America: A view from the front lines
  15. News 26 April 2024

    Argentina marches for public education

    Thousands of people across Argentina rallied in defence of a fundamental pillar of their education system: public universities. Faced with a drastic budget cut of 70 percent and inflation of around 300 percent, the country’s public universities are in serious financial trouble.

    Argentina marches for public education
  16. News 26 April 2024

    Haiti: Education keeps hope alive amidst the chaos

    Whilst the country goes through a deep, multifaceted crisis, teachers continue their fight to ensure education once again becomes a priority; a prerequisite for reestablishing lasting peace and prosperity in Haiti.

    Haiti: Education keeps hope alive amidst the chaos