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EI
monthly monitor
Vol
5 N°5 April / May 1998
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Looking Forward to the Second EI World Congress
The preparation of the Second World Congress was the main priority of the tenth Education International Executive Board meeting held 25-27 March in the EI Brussels Headquarters. Following the approval of the Board, a first set of ten Congress documents -some 200 pages including the 1995-1998 Progress Report, the Draft 1999-2001 Programme and Budget and more than 40 resolutions- was processed and mailed to member organisations.
The theme documents for the Round Tables, also reviewed by the Board members, will be sent out by 24 May; don’t miss the dossier on the four educational sub-themes in the June issue of the Education International Magazine. Letters of Credentials and a Congress Manual are scheduled for mailing by 24 June at the latest. Delegates will receive a ‘Congress kit’ with all the above material upon registration at the Washington Hilton & Towers. Please note (and please inform your colleagues and delegates) that all these texts and additional information related to the Congress are posted on EI’s trilingual site at http://www.ei-ie.org with instructions on downloading in the ‘What’s New’ section.
Other important items on the Executive Board agenda included the presentation by the General Secretary of the October 1997-March 1998 Progress Report covering activities during this period in all EI departments and regions as decided by the First World Congress in 1995; Fred van Leeuwen noted several critical developments that have recently affected teachers, for example in Turkey and Kosovo, where a major EI/UNESCO mission is currently being planned. You can read the EI flyer A Plea for the Children of Kosovo and their Teachers and regularly updated information about human and trade union rights issues on EI’s Internet site.
Membership applications and EI awards, relations with independent (sub) regional bodies (such as the Caribbean Union of Teachers) and with special interest groups of education unions (e.g. teacher organisations from francophone countries) were examined. As in every Board meeting, the situation in one of the five EI regions, this time the Caribbean was highlighted in a report by our Regional Coordinator.
The next Executive Board meeting will take place July 24, 1998, in Washington, District of Columbia (USA), on the eve of the Second World Congress held under the theme Education: Building the 21st Century. We are looking forward to seeing you there!
Africa
Pre-congress meetings in Côte d’Ivoire for African delegates
A Regional Advisory Committee meeting (July 15, 1998), a workshop on
quality public education (July 16-18) and a Pan-African Conference (July
19) are being organised in Yamoussokro (Côte d’Ivoire) for Education
International Region Africa (EIRAF). The arrangements will allow members
from EIRAF to meet in West Africa for the Second EI Regional Conference
and Workshop prior to the World Congress. Group flights are being planned
(by the EI Regional office) from different countries to Abidjan and then,
for Congress delegates, to Washington D.C. The first EI Regional Conference
in August 1994 (Nairobi, Kenya) was attended by 100 participants from 40
countries (see Monitor Vol 2 No 2). A workshop on Capacity Building also
took place in July 1995 before the first World Congress in Harare, Zimbabwe
(see Monitor Vol 2 No 5).
African teacher unions draft a declaration calling for change in education
In the footsteps of the January 1998 ministerial workshop on teachers and schooling in French-speaking Africa (see Monitor Vol 5 No 3), a follow-up meeting was organised by Education International, in cooperation with the World Bank, in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) from 18 to 20 March 1998. The participants represented EI affiliates directly concerned with the development of primary education in seven countries from the African continent. Union leaders from SNEA-B (Burkina Faso), SINAPROF (Guinea-Bissau), FSPE and SLECG (Guinea), SNEC/UNTM (Mali), SNEN (Niger), SNEEL (Sénégal) and SET (Chad) drafted a declaration (available on Internet) calling for new development-oriented approaches to solve the education crises in their countries.
The appeal notes that: hardly 40 per cent of children in this sub-region
actually receive any schooling; there are persistent inequalities
between rich and poor, towns and rural areas, boys and girls; the material
situation and morale of teachers have seriously deteriorated; dialogue
between the authorities and trade unions is limited or non-existent. The
draft declaration (to be approved by each organisation) stresses that teachers
and trade unions have shown a willingness to contribute to broadening the
access to basic education, and proposes innovative alternatives or temporary
measures to face the current budgetary difficulties such as the creation
of reserve funds or the reduction of expenditure on arms and security.
Education International has already indicated its support member unions
in their project of launching a social dialogue with a view to achieving
a social contract for the development of education.
Asia/Pacific
EI delegates from Asia to take part in a Pre-Congress Study Tour in Germany
Some 30 Asian teacher trade unionists will have the opportunity to take
a close look at the educational system in Germany and the representation
of teachers by trade unions during a week-long study tour through Germany
next summer. Sponsored by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES – http://www.fes.de)
in cooperation with EI and Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft (GEW
– http://www.gew.de), the seminar will
be held immediately before the EI Congress, from 17 to 23 July 1998. The
program includes presentations on the above-mentioned themes and visits
of (primary, secondary, vocational, teacher education) schools in different
cities. Participants will also meet with Ministry of Education officials
in one of the Länder (states) and hold discussions with local teachers
and resource persons on topics such as social standards and human rights.
Europe
Busy Agenda for EI European affiliates
As reported in the January/February 1998 Monitor, the implementation of the Action Programmes adopted in the June 1997 Luxembourg meetings for EI in Europe (EI/E) is moving forward.
The Standing Committee on Higher Education and Research established
within EI/E held a meeting of organisations with members in that field
23-34 March 1998 in Brussels (Belgium). Some 25 participants examined recent
developments and Action Programmes for both sectors, covering a variety
of topics such as data bases related to pay and working conditions; professional
development; funding; casualisation; mobility and recognition of qualifications;
the European Commission’s SOCRATES, LEONARDO and TEMPUS programmes; relations
with university rectors and students’ organisations; the establishment
of a research policy (ex: code of ethics, research training, mobility of
researchers, etc). Next meeting: 29-30 September 1998 in Luxembourg.
The EI-Europe Equal Opportunities Committee met 27-28 April 1998 in
Belgium. The impact of part-time work on equality of opportunities, and
questions related to parental leave, part-time work, teachers’ ageing and
retirement, and age discrimination were among the issues examined by some
25 participants coming from Western, Central and Eastern Europe. Next meeting:
22-23 October 1998 in Brussels.
Other plans for future activities to be finalised by the May 25 EI European
Regional Committee included:
Latin America
Some 200 persons (including guest speakers representing trade unions, employers, students and the Government of Chile) participated in the Forum on public education organised by EI on 17 April 1998 as part of a series of NGO-ICFTU events prior to the second Summit of the Americas in Santiago (Chile) –see previous Monitor. A declaration (see Internet) prepared by the EIAL Regional Committee at its 14 April 1998 meeting was adopted by the forum and presented to the Chilean State Secretary for Education to be forwarded to the meeting of Heads of States.
The Declaration notes the economic crisis seriously affecting quality and equality in education as well as in other sectors of society, reaffirms the universal right to education for all and the responsibility of governments regarding public school systems, recalls the role of education for the development of solidarity, social justice, democracy, respect for differences, and called on the Heads of States Summit in Santiago to recognize the importance of ensuring a wide participation of the civil society in education reforms and particularly of teachers and their organisations.
The World Congress was also discussed at the EIAL Regional Committee
meeting. Latin-American delegates will meet 21-23 July 1998 in Mexico for
a pre-congress seminar organised with the cooperation of EI affiliate SNTE.
The Latin America Regional office is now located in San José (Costa
Rica). Chief Coordinator Napoleón Morazan is now assisted by newly-hired
staff: Coordinator Comberrty Rodriguez Garcia and Coordination Assistant
Annabelle Gallegos. The EI regional office can be reached at P.O. Box 7174-1000
San José, Costa Rica. Tel/Fax: +506 2 837 378 E-mail: educint@sol.racsa.co.cr
North American/Caribbean
An overview of the Caribbean region
EI Coordinator for the Caribbean, Virginia Albert, took part in the last Executive Board (see p. 1). Our colleague made a brief presentation of historical, social, and economic problems plaguing Caribbean countries and their inhabitants. Although countries and territories in the region have little in common other than their geographical location, the present situation originates historically from occupation by Western powers. The current decline in economic growth (which affects education budgets) has resulted in an increase in crimes, even in schools, where some students are involved in the drug trade. Our representative made a special mention of two trouble spots: Montserrat, where 46 teachers are still living on the island and giving lessons despite the devastation caused by the volcanic eruption, and Haiti, where the member organisation CNEH has been getting support from EI in reorganising its structures; a serious problem in Haiti remains that 60% of the children are not enrolled in school. Our Caribbean Coordinator can now be reached through E-mail: albertv@candw.lc
EI Awards to be presented for the second time during the 1998 World Congress
Following a ‘tradition’ initiated in Zimbabwe (see Monitor Vol 2 No 6 and EI Magazine April 1996), two educators will be honoured by their peers during the Second World Congress in Washington D.C. The Education International Trade Union & Human Rights and the Education Awards will be conferred for outstanding contributions, respectively, to the preservation and promotion of human rights and to equality and excellence in education.
Ethiopian trade union leader Dr Taye Woldesmiate will receive the Trade Union and Human Rights Award jointly with Assefa Maru (posthumously) while the Education Award will be presented to Ms Shanta Sinha, President of a foundation dedicated to bringing child labourers in India back to school.
The Executive Board has decided that this award will from now on be known as the Albert Shanker International Education Award. The prize will honour the memory of EI’s Founding President and former IFFTU and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) leader Al Shanker (1928-1997) whose dedication to both education and trade unionism will long be remembered by educationists in every parts of the world. The ceremony will take place on 28 July 1998 and will be followed by the EI Awards Dinner at the Washington Hilton and Towers Hotel. More information about the recipients in a forthcoming Congress document.
Fifth World Teachers’ Day: Teachers Shape The Future
To ensure that teachers receive the recognition they deserve, UNESCO proclaimed the first World Teachers’ Day in 1994. Five October was chosen to recall the adoption by the ILO and UNESCO, on 5 October 1966, of the first international recommendation concerning the status of teachers.
EI and UNESCO’s Education Sector are once again working together in 1998 to promote this event established to enhance and increase the respect for what they view to be “the world’s most important job”. EI affiliates are invited to put educators and education in the spotlight on 5 October 1998. Posters, a new video about teachers (Portraits in Courage, suitable for TV broadcasting in your country) and other material to support your actions will be available by the end of May. Keep us informed about your plans for this fifth Teachers’ Day (and beyond: one affiliate is already working on its program for 2000).
Our main theme this year underscores the key role of teachers, as we
think about the next century and the next millenium. As we all know, the
XXIst century has already begun in schools across the world: every day,
through their work with the citizens of tomorrow, teachers shape the future.
Teachers and EI featured in UNESCO SOURCES
The latest issue of UNESCO SOURCES (No 100 – April 1998) dedicates three
articles to the role of teachers and the World Education Report 1998 (see
previous Monitor) with comments from Education International and quotes
from UNESCO/EI’s 1997 brochure Portraits in Courage. UNESCO SOURCES is
published monthly in English, French, Spanish, Chinese and Portuguese by
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 7,
place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, France; the English, French and Spanish
versions are also available on UNESCO’s Internet site (under the headings
Publications and New) at http://www.unesco.org
The role of teachers... in the movies
What do film actors Michelle Pfeiffer, Richard Dreyfuss, Gérard Depardieu, Sidney Poitier, Robin Williams, Coluche, Nick Nolte, Glen Ford, Maggie Smith and Arnold Schwarzenegger have in common? Answer: they have all played lead parts in motion pictures featuring teachers as main characters.
Education International is currently collecting information on the image of teachers in the movies e.g. film reviews, cinematographic references, social studies and analyses. Contributions from ‘real’ teachers and film buffs around the world are most welcome by the secretariat.
If the idea wins enough support within EI’s audience, a publication similar to Tolerance in Films (EI/UNESCO 1997) could be envisaged for 1999 or 2000 as a handbook for World Teachers’ Day activities (ex: film clubs or festivals) or as study guide for the classroom. If you can’t wait to start your own list, visit http://tlc.edu.uleth.ca/edstud/Ed4321Projects/studentpages/Movies/teachers.html , a site dedicated to teachers in the movies, search the Internet Movie Database http://us.imdb.com , or try the All-Movie Guide? http://allmovie.com/amg/movie_Root.html and, in French, the CinéCité site on education and cinema at http://www.carrousel.qc.ca
New ILO report on maternity protection at work around the world
More than 120 countries around the world provide paid maternity leave and health benefits by law, including most industrialized nations except Australia, New Zealand and the United States. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) report Maternity Protection at Work* analyses how 152 countries treat women of child-bearing age in both law and practice, and how these countries’ legislation compares to ILO international standards. Convention No 103 calls for a minimum of 12-weeks leave although a 14-weeks leave is recommended. In countries that provide cash benefits through social security, the ILO standard says that a woman should be paid at a rate of not less than two-thirds of her previous insured earnings, with full health benefits.
The study released in February 1998 compares overall maternity protection at work, including maternity leave, employment protection, cash and medical benefits, and health protection of mother and child. According to ILO projections, in just over 10 years, 80 per cent of all women in industrialized countries, and 70 per cent globally, will be working outside the home throughout their child-bearing years. Much remains to be done, says the ILO, to ensure that maternity protection is gradually extended to all working women and to remove maternity as a source of discrimination in employment. More information on: http://www.ilo.org
*Maternity Protection at Work. Report of the Maternity Protection Convention
(Revised), 1952 (No 103) and Recommendation, 1952 (No 95). ISBN 92-2-110336-6.
15 Swiss francs. Avavailable from usual agents of ILO Publications. Tel:
+41 22 799 7301 Fax: +41 22 799 6938 or E-mail: pubvente@ilo.org
Force for Change: World AIDS Campaign with Young People
April 22 was the date set for the launch of the 1998 World AIDS campaign.
This year’s goal is to mobilize young people aged 10-24 to reduce the spread
of HIV infection and to strengthen support for those infected and affected
by HIV/AIDS. Some 7,000 young people aged 10-24 are infected with HIV every
day (five every minute!). In Africa, 1.7 million young people are infected
each year, and 700,000 in Asia and the Pacific. The promotion and protection
of human rights will be key elements of this new UNAIDS campaign which
is supported by various partners including Education International (see
Monitor Vol 5 No 3). Activities related to the 1998 World Campaign are
extended beyond the campaign year. More information will be mailed to affiliates
and posted in English, French and Spanish on Internet at: http://www.unaids.org
and, of course, on EI’s own web site http://www.ei-ie.org
Bits and Bytes
EI will be present at the 86th International Labour Organisation’s Conference 2-18 July 1998 in Geneva (Switzerland). A draft Declaration of principles on the fundamental rights relating to the ILO mandate will be submitted for approval to the Governments, trade union federations and employers’ organizations of the 174 member States. Child Labour and Contract Labour are also on the agenda.
The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions recently launched eironline at http://eiro.eurofound.ie/ , a website with search facilities into a comprehensive 16 country database on industrial relations in Europe.
As you may have seen on EI’s WWW site, many organisations are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Among the latest entries: the NUT (UK), with Amnesty International (AI) and the United Nations Association, is organising a competition entitled “The Right Idea”, a challenge for young people from 7-18 years to interpret the UDHR in the form of writing, visual arts or performance. This competition links closely with AI’s “Get Up, Sign Up” campaign. NL (Norway) together with 30 NGOs and governmental institutions has produced material for every school; a festival with discussions, concerts, exhibitions, presentation of children’s and artists’ work will take place 10-13 December 1998.
The impact of education and training on economic performance and society
Examining the impact of education and training on economic performance and society, OECD’s Human Capital Investment – An International Comparison argues that so far, measuring human capital has been based excessively on school achievement and advocates defining human capital more comprehensively to take into account a broad range of skills and competencies as well as technical know-how.
One of the four main conclusions of this study which assembled data and information from a wide range of sources internationally is that there is clear evidence that education and training are investments which pay off in terms of higher economic growth. The research shows that more highly educated individuals run a lower risk of being unemployed, enjoy better health, and can better integrate in society. The spill-over effect over the long run is greater social cohesion and more sustainable patterns of economic development.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development study presents
estimates that show the rate of return on investment in education to be
as favourable as that on physical capital investment, suggesting that investment
in education will continue to be useful, even in countries that provide
universal upper secondary schooling and mass higher education.
Human Capital Investment – An International Comparison, OECD, Paris
1998. ISBN 92-64-16067-1 (96 98 02 1). Also available in French L’investissement
dans le capital humain – Une comparaison internationale from usual distributors.
FF150; US$25; DM45. More about OECD at http://www.oecd.org
UNDP’s Human Development Report 1998
The ninth annual edition of the United Nations Development Programme’s
Human Development Report focuses on the issue of consumption patterns in
today’s world and its implications on human development. The present patterns
should change to promote more sustainable, more equitable human development
for both rich and poor people, and for present and future generations,
says the 1998 UNDP Report, available in English and French (Rapport mondial
sur le développement humain 1998). The comprehensive guide contains
some 50 indicators that compare the relative levels of human development
of over 175 countries and a Human Poverty Index. More at http://www.undp.org
CEDEFOP’s Training for a changing society offers guidance to practicians
Training for a changing society, a CEDEFOP report, provides an overview
on the current state of vocational training research in Europe. It incorporates
theoretical and methodological bases, results and research gaps, and draws
conclusions for policy and practice. Available in English, French, German,
and Spanish from the European Centre for the Development of Vocational
Training, http://www.cedefop.gr
EI/UNESCO video broadcast by Televisión Educativa Iberoamericana
Los docentes harán la diferencia, the EI/UNESCO 1997 WTD video, should be aired 12 June 1998 by the Ibero-american educational television network ATEI on Satélite Hispasat 1A, 30o W, 12,078 Mhz in America, and Hispasat/27 Dbs/Clásico/12,226.16 Mhz in Europe. Check local listings or Internet at: http://roble.pntic.mec.es/atei or fax ATEI in Spain: +34 1 522 6744.