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For the past 130 years, the 1st of May has been a day of mobilisation and hope. On this day we celebrate workers, the trade union movement and the colossal difference it has made for billions around the world. It is also a time to look ahead and find optimism...

As a growing number of countries are considering easing restrictions and gradually resuming onsite education, Education International stresses a set of five dimensions that should be considered by governments, in dialogue with educators and their unions, when planning this next phase of the response to the COVID-19 crisis in education.

Education International has been saddened to learn of the death of Roustan Job, an outstanding education trade unionist from Trinidad and Tobago. Job relentlessly fought for teachers’ improved working conditions, professionalism, and autonomy in his region and worldwide.

The rapid and wide spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 disease that it causes require an urgent global response to protect health and stimulate the economy. Governments and employers must act to protect workers and tackle transmission in workplaces.

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) has staged a protest urging the government to sign a Copyright Amendment Bill that will improve access to quality education materials.

The Education International African Regional Committee met in Accra on 10-13 February to review progress and set the political course for the following period.

The Education International Asia-Pacific Regional Committee meeting focused on union responses to threats to human and trade union rights, the impact of climate change, and growing privatisation in education.

At a recent meeting, the Committee of the Education International’s Arab Countries Cross Regional Structure reaffirmed their commitment to fight education privatisation and defend democracy in the region. Committee members reported on the challenges faced in their national settings, discussed recent union activities, and strategised for future action and campaigns.

On the International Day of Education, unions warn that the world is not facing a global learning crisis, but a global education funding crisis. The only way to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 and ensure inclusive and equitable education for all is to fund free quality public education.

One of the highlights of this year’s International Book Fair (FIL) of Guadalajara, Mexico was the presentation of a book co-authored by Fred van Leeuwen, Education International (EI) General Secretary Emeritus, and Susan Hopgood, EI President.

The recently published Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results have led education unions to reflect on school systems and the future of education.

The representatives of the trade unions of the education sector affiliated with Education International Latin America (EILA) met in Brazil on 3, 4 and 5 December to chart the course of the Latin American Educational Movement.

Education union leaders tackled a number of strategic issues of key importance for both the global education sector and education unions. In addition, the Board adopted a series of resolutions denouncing violence and attacks on democracy.

Many new faces joined the discussions at the first meeting of Education International's new Executive Board, elected by Congress in Bangkok, in July. The Board will make essential decisions to implement the resolutions adopted by Congress.

Under the slogan “We educate Norway”, the Union of Educators of Norway (UEN) has adopted an ambitious policy agenda that will shape the future of education in the country.

Educators at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have advocated for exceptions and limitations and for an international instrument that will regulate education and research.

The online magazine ‘Education Journal’ recently published in its edition 385 a report of Education International’s eighth World Congress in Bangkok by EI Senior Consultant, John Bangs. Education Journal has agreed to its publication for Worlds of Education. It has been slightly edited for EI’s global audience.

At today’s Fridays For Future march, Education International stood in solidarity with students, unions and other civil society groups to demand immediate action against climate change.