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 4 August 2008

    Teachers' unions support GLBT rights

    "If we want education to be the main vector to achieve equal rights and combat discrimination, teachers themselves must first be set free," said EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen. He was speaking in Stockholm on 1 August at a seminar on "gay rights in education" organized by the Swedish...

    Teachers' unions support GLBT rights
  2. 12 June 2008

    Education is the right response to child labour

    "Education is the right response – it may be the only response that makes a real difference," EI Deputy General Secretary Jan Eastman told delegates assembled in Geneva today at the ILO's official launch of International Day for the Elimination of Child Labour 2008.

    Education is the right response to child labour
  3. News 11 June 2008

    Teacher union in Ghana releases new study on child labour

    This week, as part of Education International’s campaign against child labour, the Ghanaian affiliates, led by the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) launched a new research study entitled: “National Child Labour Situation and Teacher Unions’ Best Practices and Challenges in This Field”.

    Teacher union in Ghana releases new study on child labour
  4. 5 June 2008

    Global unions affirm children’s rights

    Dusty-faced children toiling near the heat of brick kilns, beautifully costumed children dancing and singing sweetly, smiling children walking hand-in-hand with their parents and teachers in a rally for their rights; there were many faces of childhood to be seen at the International Conference For Child Rights Organisers and Campaigners,...

    Global unions affirm children’s rights
  5. 5 June 2008

    No to child labour! Yes to education! Teacher unions prevent primary school drop outs

    Sara Marbouh flashes a radiant smile at her teacher and settles into a front row desk in her Geography class at Abbas Benani School in this holy city. A conscientious 14-year-old, Sara knows every child has the fundamental right to an education. She also knows how precarious that right can...

    No to child labour! Yes to education! Teacher unions prevent primary school drop outs
  6. News 16 May 2008

    May 17: International day against homophobia

    2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Last year, the 5th Congress of Education International reiterated its commitment to promote for all people and in all nations, peace, democracy, social justice and equality.

    May 17: International day against homophobia
  7. News 9 April 2008

    Begoña Suarez elected Chair of the Pan-European Equality Standing Committee

    Begoña Suarez, Confederal Secretary of the Confederación de Sindicatos de Trabajadoras y Trabajadores de la Enseñanza (STEs), now chairs the Pan-European Equality Committee as well as the its working group until the next General Assembly of the EI Pan-European region.

    Begoña Suarez elected Chair of the Pan-European Equality Standing Committee
  8. News 1 April 2008

    Pan-European Equality Standing Committee meeting opens with record attendance

    The meeting of the EI Pan-European Equality Standing Committee opened on April 1st with a record number of participants. A total of 51 representatives from 26 countries in the Pan-European region are taking part in the two-day meeting in Brussels.

    Pan-European Equality Standing Committee meeting opens with record attendance
  9. 13 March 2008

    Gender equity remains elusive for female academics

    Although they have made significant progress, women in academia continue to face persistent barriers to professional equality, particularly in fields such as computer science and engineering.

    Gender equity remains elusive for female academics
  10. News 6 March 2008

    International Women's Day: 8 March 2008 - Activism through art

    2008 is the 100th anniversary of women taking collective action on 8 March. To mark this milestone, Education International commissioned Argentine artist Nora Patrich to create a commemorative poster.

    International Women's Day: 8 March 2008 - Activism through art
  11. News 28 February 2008

    Update from the UN CSW: Unionists at the Asia-Pacific Women's Caucuses

    The lobbying of government delegates is one of the main tasks of the trade union delegation attending the 52nd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), where caucuses are important spaces for strategizing and putting collective strength behind particular issues.

    Update from the UN CSW: Unionists at the Asia-Pacific Women's Caucuses
  12. News 26 February 2008

    Union women take message of gender equality to the United Nations

    Women representing Global Union Federations are working together to advance gender equality and the decent work agenda during the current session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

    Union women take message of gender equality to the United Nations
  13. 26 February 2008

    Address by Jan Eastman at the UN CSW expert panel on "Key policy initiatives on financing for gender equality and the empowerment for women"

    Address by Jan Eastman, EI Deputy General Secretary during the interactive expert panel on "Key policy initiatives on financing for gender equality and the empowerment for women" on 26 February 2008 at the 52nd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW), New York, 25...

    Address by Jan Eastman at the UN CSW expert panel on "Key policy initiatives on financing for gender equality and the empowerment for women"
  14. 20 February 2008

    Speech by Fred van Leeuwen, EI General Secretary and Chairperson of the Council of Global Unions at the International Conference for Child Rights Organiser and Campaigners, 20-21 February 2008, New Delhi, India

    Some time ago I had a dinner conversation with the Chief Executive Officer of a Dutch Brewery with plants all over South Asia that turned sour. He talked about their booming business in Vietnam and Cambodia, casually mentioning the employment of children by his company, which he believed was as...

    Speech by Fred van Leeuwen, EI General Secretary and Chairperson of the Council of Global Unions at the International Conference for Child Rights Organiser and Campaigners, 20-21 February 2008, New Delhi, India