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. Worlds of Education 25 April 2023

    Teachers as democracy workers

    Keith Heggart

    The work of teachers is something of a contradiction. Governments, policy-makers, educators and parents are often quick to point out the importance of education for young people – and that necessarily highlights the value of teachers. Yet at the same time, in many countries around the world, the profession of...

    Teachers as democracy workers
  2. News 11 April 2023

    Eswatini: Education International fully supports education unionists

    Education International (EI) sent a High-Level Mission to Eswatini to reiterate on-site the support of the education union community to colleagues in the country, and to urge the national governmental authorities to put an immediate halt to the persecution of Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) leaders, introduce democratic governance...

    Eswatini: Education International fully supports education unionists
  3. Statements 17 March 2023

    Executive Board Resolution on Eswatini

    The Education International (EI) Executive Board has reaffirmed EI’s unwavering solidarity and support for the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), its leadership and members.

    Executive Board Resolution on Eswatini
  4. News 24 February 2023

    One year of solidarity with our colleagues, students, and all people of Ukraine

    Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Education International launched an urgent action appeal calling on all member organisations to stand with and support our colleagues in Ukraine. Education unions from across the world responded. One year on, our solidarity is unwavering.

    One year of solidarity with our colleagues, students, and all people of Ukraine
  5. News 17 February 2023

    Eswatini: Murders and harassment of trade union leaders must cease immediately!

    Education International denounces the continuous attacks on trade union leaders in Eswatini and condemns the targeting of Mbongwa Dlamini, President of the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT), a member organisation of Education International.

    Eswatini: Murders and harassment of trade union leaders must cease immediately!
  6. News 17 February 2023

    Development cooperation backs up Arab education unions’ actions for democracy, gender equality and quality education

    Many development cooperation (DC) partners participated in the Education International (EI) Café at the EI Arab Countries Cross-Regional Structure (ACCRS). They received information on recent challenges and progress of education unions in the region.

    Development cooperation backs up Arab education unions’ actions for democracy, gender equality and quality education
  7. News 16 February 2023

    Philippines: Educators submit recommendations to ILO to ensure the protection of trade union rights

    Education International (EI) has welcomed the recent International Labour Organization High Level Tripartite Mission (ILO HLTM) to the Philippines. This mission is the result of longstanding advocacy by human and trade union activists in this country, and EI national member organisations – the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), the Federation...

    Philippines: Educators submit recommendations to ILO to ensure the protection of trade union rights
  8. Take action! 8 February 2023

    Global Action Day in support of teachers and workers in Iran

    On 8 February, Education International joins trade unions all over the world for a Global Action Day in support of Iranian teachers and workers in their struggle for decent working conditions, union rights, democracy and freedom. Education International calls on its member organisations to show solidarity with the labour and...

    Global Action Day in support of teachers and workers in Iran
  9. Take action! 1 February 2023

    Myanmar : Global Action Day and solidarity for the return of democracy

    On the second anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar, Education International (EI) joined the Global Day of Action called by the Confederation of Trade Unions, Myanmar (CTUM) to demand for the formal diplomatic recognition of the National Unity Government (NUG) as the legitimate representatives of the people of Myanmar,...

    Myanmar : Global Action Day and solidarity for the return of democracy
  10. News 23 January 2023

    Education unionists take stock of development cooperation in Asia-Pacific

    During a Development Cooperation (DC) Café on Asia-Pacific held on 12 January, DC partners learnt about the accomplishments in the region in partnership with member organisations. Anand Singh, Director of the Education International Asia-Pacific (EIAP) regional office, reported on priorities and challenges faced by the region as well as activities...

    Education unionists take stock of development cooperation in Asia-Pacific
  11. News 21 December 2022

    Belarus: Education International denounces the political trials against union leaders

    Education International stands in solidarity with union leaders targeted in Belarus for their trade union activities and the anti-war stance taken by their organisation, the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions (BKDP), following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    Belarus: Education International denounces the political trials against union leaders
  12. News 19 December 2022

    Ethiopia: Education union’s plea for peace

    During the Tigray war in Northern Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Teachers Association (ETA) condemned the damage and disruption inflicted on students, teachers and the education system. They called on relevant public authorities to put an immediate halt to the armed conflict, and highlighted the role of peace education in bringing about...

    Ethiopia: Education union’s plea for peace
  13. Statements 8 December 2022

    Human Rights Day: Education unions mobilise and organise in defence of human rights everywhere

    As the world marks 74 years since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the struggle for dignity, freedom, and justice for all continues. Unions are leading this global effort, working together across borders and continents for the fundamental principle of human dignity.

    Human Rights Day: Education unions mobilise and organise in defence of human rights everywhere
  14. News 6 December 2022

    France: State education staff called to the ballot box for the social dialogue elections

    French education unions are currently campaigning for their social dialogue elections. The 1.4 million voters in the Ministry of National Education and Youth, the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research are invited to vote by internet from 1 to 8 December 2022.

    France: State education staff called to the ballot box for the social dialogue elections