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Vol
7 N°6 August - September 2000
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| EXPANDING WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY HORIZONS… |
Year after year, since 1994, Education International has been breaking new ground in reaching ever-wider audiences for World Teachers’ Day, now celebrated in more than 100 countries. For 5 October 2000, EI has targeted the Internet to increase WTD recognition and expand its horizons.
Following a recent update, EI’s site is now the most comprehensive source for WTD information and the first site to offer on the World Wide Web the full text of the UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers adopted on 5 October 1966. It is accompanied by a presentation by EI. Both the 1966 and 1997 (Higher Education teaching personnel) Recommendations are available in English, French and Spanish.
Archives from productions of previous Days (brochures, videos, posters, declarations, press releases, messages, quotations, stamps for WTD, our philatelic site etc.) can still be accessed from EI web pages or through links to partner organisations such as UNESCO or ILO.
Information for this 7th World Teachers’ Day is of course on line with a message from General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen, the new EI/UNESCO World Teachers’ Day 2000 poster and the program of public WTD activities in Helsinki which includes a festival of films about teachers and a meeting for teachers’ unions from the OECD zone.
EI pages for World Teachers’ Day 2000 also feature interesting innovations
and new services for the benefit of Education International members and
the public at large:
Get into the habit of visiting http://www.ei-ie.org/phila.htm
regularly to discover other EI initiatives. In the coming weeks, we will
post more exterior sites with quotes and virtual cards, a new series of
quotations chosen by EI, WTD commemorative stamp issues for 2000, press
releases, and much more. For information on World Teachers’ Day, and every
day, EI’s site is always the best idea! Have a successful World Teachers’
Day 2000!
| REGIONS |
Africa
EI attends Southern Africa Teachers’ Organisation (SATO) Annual Workshop and Council
Chief Regional Coordinator for Africa, Tom Bediako participated as a resource person and EI representative in the annual workshop of the Southern Africa Teachers’ Organisation (SATO) held in Randburg, Johannesburg (South Africa) from 30 April to 4 May 2000. Gender Awareness and Women’s Participation in Teacher Organisations, Education and Society was this year’s theme. Teachers’ unions from 12 countries in Southern Africa and Mauritius - all EI affiliates - attended this sub-regional activity which concluded with the adoption of a series of resolutions, primarily on the involvement of women in the organisation, and secondly, on HIV/AIDS. The SATO General Council met the following day. All through the week, meetings were held to review Norsk Laererlag (NL - Norway)-sponsored Development Cooperation programs.
Asia
The third EI Asia/Pacific Conference elected its 2000-2003 Regional Committee
The third Education International Asia/Pacific Conference (see Monitor Vol 7 No 5) held 27-29 April 2000 in New Delhi (India) elected the following EIAP Regional Committee for 2000-2003:
Chairperson:
Mr. Nagakazu Akakibara, JTU-NIKKYOSO (Japan).
Vice Chairpersons:
Ms. Susan Hopgood, AEU (Australia)
Mr. Ram Pal Singh, AIPTF (India).
Members:
Ms. Angela Wijesinghe, ACUT (Sri Lanka);
Ms. Tungalag Dondogdulam, MEFTU (Mongolia);
Ms. Neri Fepuleai, WSTA (Western Samoa);
Ms. Usira Sothibandhu, PSTAT (Thailand);
Mr. A Shyan Sunder Rao, AISTF (India);
Mr. Mohammed Suriya, PGRI (Indonesia);
Mr. Obed Masingiow, VTU (Vanuatu);
Mr. Hyun-Joon Kim, KTU (Korea);
Mr. Rama Kanta Sapkota, NNTA (Nepal);
Ms. Kamrul Jalil, FTU (Fiji)
Mr. Chae, Su-yun, KFTA (Korea);
Mr. Siva Subramaniam, NUTP (Malaysia);
Ms. Laures Park, EI Executive Board Member, NZEI (New Zealand).
Europe
First EI Trans-Caucasian trade union training seminar held in Georgia
‘Politics, economics and society’, ‘Unity, independence and trade union democracy’, ‘Evolution of the educational systems of countries in transition’, ‘Contents and financing of educational systems’, ‘Teachers’ status and conditions of work’, ‘Information, consultation and negotiation: stages of the social dialogue’ were the main themes discussed at the Education International/EWTUG seminar held in Tbilisi (Georgia) on 5-7 July 2000. With the exception of an observer from Azerbaidjan, the 34 participants belonged to the Educational Workers Trade Union of Georgia (EWTUG - 90.000 members), affiliated since January 2000.
The meeting (interpreted in Russian, English and French) was marked
by active participation in the discussions, great interest towards the
key questions and a good working atmosphere. A local newspaper, Sakatrvelos
Respublika, reported the event and the work of EI resources which ‘deepened
the knowledge and raised the qualifications of the seminar participants’.
ETWUG members (18 from local organisations in different regions of Georgia,
and 15 from Tbilisi, the capital) expressed their satisfaction at learning
how to face problems in the country and the intention to hold similar trade
union education activities with their members. The Georgian affiliates
also proposed a seminar for all teachers’ unions of the Commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS), to share common problems and experiences.
Education International now has a temporary contact in Eastern Europe:
Nona Iliukhina, nonajema@sabbo.net
Education Unions of the former Yugoslavia invited to a workshop on the Process of Transition
The Independent Trade Union of Education, Science, Culture and Sports
of Montenegro will host an EI workshop on Education Unions in the Process
of Transition, 5-7 October 2000 in Herceg Novi-Igalo (Montenegro). The
specific aims are: to identify common issues in the process of transition;
to explore options for greater cooperation; to be informed of the role
of the Stability Pact in the education sector; and to share experiences
on the promotion of trade union and human rights and the peaceful resolution
of conflict. It is anticipated that the work done will help unions to deal
with the challenges they face and result in more regular contacts and networking
between participant organisations in the territory of the former Yugoslavia.
Latin America
New Latin American Regional Committee elected by the IEAL March 2000 Conference
The fourth IEAL Conference (see Monitor Vol 7 No 5) held 20-22 March 2000 in Costa Rica elected a new Regional Committee for the coming three years:
President:
Marta Maffei, CTERA (Argentina).
Vice-Presidents:
Brigida Rivera, CGTEN-ANDEN (Nicaragua);
Jorge Pavez, Colegio de Profesores (Chile)
Carlos Abicalil, CNTE (Brasil);
Trinidad Rivera, COLPROSUMAH (Honduras);
Members:
Ernestina Suárez, FEDMYFEP (Uruguay);
Olimpia Gónzalez, ADP (República Dominicana);
Felipe Rivera, ANDES 21 de Junio (El Salvador);
Sidney Justinana, SITEK (Curazao);
Washington Salinas, FETEC (Ecuador);
Olmedo Auris, SUTEP (Perú);
Edgar Campbell, SEC (Costa Rica).
North America / Caribbean
Next Regional Conference for North America and the Caribbean scheduled for January 2001
School Reform in the 21st Century was the theme chosen for the 18-21
January 2001 Conference of EI members in the NA/C region. The sub themes
consist of Teacher performance & evaluation and School climate (North
America), Violence & indiscipline in schools and Teacher professional
development (Caribbean). Other events, such as a Caribbean Union of Teachers
(CUT) Executive meeting, a women’s conference and work sessions on Development
cooperation projects are expected to be organised before or after this
third Regional Conference. EI regional representative Virginia Albert is
coordinating the preparation of these activities, to take place in Grenada.
Our colleague can be reached at albertv@candw.lc
| HUMAN RIGHTS |
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After being kidnapped and held in solitary confinement for 11 months, Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, former General Secretary of the Nepal National Teachers’ Association (NNTA), was released from prison on 6 July 2000. In an e-mail to EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen. Mr. Shrestha says that he has “come out from the dark room of terror” and “it is because of you, EI, the staff, the EI leaders and member organisations who vehemently urged for my release appealing, protesting and creating pressure to the government of Nepal. […] “I would like to thank you for the continuous effort you did for my release and for the safety of my life,” he continues. “Without you, EI and Amnesty International, I could not have come out…” Our colleague has promised to report more fully on his ordeal and this information will be sent to member organisations. |
Education International mission denied entry to Ethiopia in July
Even after having issued visas to some of them, the Ethiopian Government refused to allow any members of an EI mission to enter Ethiopia. The mission had planned to work with the Ethiopian Teachers’ Association (ETA) from 17 to 24 July 2000. The programme included a review of the situation of the ETA and its members, discussions with its lawyers and the development of a three-year plan of action. Also on the agenda were meetings with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNESCO representatives, as well as with other union leaders and non governmental organisations. The mission had hoped to visit ETA President Dr. Taye Woldesemiate in prison and a request had been made to meet with the Minister of Education.
First indication of the problems ahead occurred when Rosslyn Noonan, EI Coordinator for Trade Union & Human Rights was denied a visa. Then AOb (The Netherlands) International Secretary Andre Dumont was told that his visa contained an error and that it was unlikely it could be corrected prior to his departure date. On the Friday night before the mission was to leave, EI was informed unofficially that any member of the proposed mission, even with a visa, would be turned away. At that stage it was decided that SADTU (South Africa) General Secretary and EI Executive Board member Thulas Nxesi and GEW (Germany) representative Dieter Haase should cancel their trips but that EI Regional Coordinator Emanuel Fatoma, a regular visitor to Addis Ababa should go ahead. On his arrival, and despite holding a valid visa, he was detained at Addis Ababa airport, refused contact with anyone outside the airport and put on the next plane to Accra (Ghana).
While the Ethiopian Embassy in Brussels has refused to give reasons for the treatment of the EI mission, well informed sources in Addis Ababa have suggested that the government is particularly sensitive about the campaign EI has been leading to free Dr. Taye and the possibility that Amnesty International will formally announce him as a prison of conscience.
The refusal to allow the EI mission into the country also comes very soon after the ILO Standards Committee examination of the situation of unions in Ethiopia and the most recent findings of the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association, adopted by the ILO Governing Body in late June. Both were highly critical of the Ethiopian government’s treatment of the ETA and its refusal to respond in detail to questions from the ILO.
The ETA has called for support from member organisations in its efforts to have the embargo against EI representatives lifted. An EI circular has been issued, updating organisations on the continuing repression being experienced by the ETA and its members and recommending that EI unions lobby their governments to put pressure on the Ethiopian regime to respect international labour standards.
Urgent action on Montenegro required from EI members
| Click here to read EI's Urgent Action Appeal |
The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and EI have both issued urgent action appeals because of the deteriorating situation in Montenegro. Following discussions with the Independent Trade Union of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Montenegro (ITUESCSM), Education International is asking member organisations to do two things.
The first is to lobby your government to ensure active support for the integrity of Montenegro. The second is to contribute to the EI Solidarity Fund to enable the Education Union to provide note-books and texts and other essential school supplies, including shoes and coats for the winter, for those children whose families cannot afford to do so, particularly in the poor rural areas where children are at most risk of dropping out and of child labour. The mounting crisis in Montenegro has been caused by the illegal actions of the Milosevic regime in Serbia. It has unilaterally revised the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and removed the autonomous status of Montenegro. Milosevic has now called elections for 24 September 2000 which are designed not only to give him a further eight years in power, but to extend his direct control to Montenegro by provoking violence, fomenting ethnic tensions and by destroying the burgeoning democratic processes there.
Sierra Leone and Fiji
have also featured in appeals for action during the last two months. In
both places EI member organisations are at the centre of efforts to restore
democracy and build lasting peace. The September 2000 issue of EI Magazine
contains a story on how the
Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union is using EI Solidarity Funds to make sure
that children in the amputees and displaced persons camps can go to school.
Check your mail from EI and the EI web site for the most recent information
on Fiji and Sierra Leone.
| EDUCATION |
Seventh Session of the Joint ILO/UNESCO Committee of Experts (CEART) in mid September
EI has been invited to submit a written contribution and to attend part of the Seventh Session of the Joint ILO/UNESCO Committee of Experts on the Application of the Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers (better known as CEART) taking place 11-15 September 2000 in Geneva (Switzerland). In addition to the 5 October 1966 Recommendation, the CEART now monitors the 1997 UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher-Education Teaching Personnel. (EI is also represented in the UNESCO World Conference on Higher Education Follow-up Committee.)
The mandate of the CEART (revised in 1999) now provides that the Joint
Committee meets in closed session and that its discussions are confidential,
but it may decide to suspend its working sessions for the purpose of holding
information sessions to hear the views of interested organisations on matters
relating directly to the 1966 and 1997 Recommendations. The September 2000
meeting is the first opportunity for the CEART to hear the viewpoints of
teachers’, employers’ and intergovernmental organisations.
| BITS & BITES |
| PUBLIC@TIONS |
Recent EI publications
How is the teaching profession evolving? What kind of teachers does society require?- Education: Questions on Debate No 4- EI, September 2000, 4 pages. | click here to read | Available in English, French and Spanish.
Education International Magazine- EI, September 2000, 34 pages. The special dossier on Academic Freedom is available from EI's website as a pdf file | click here to download |. Available in English, French and Spanish.
World Teachers’ Day 2000- Quotes about teachers
and teaching. EI, August 2000. Trilingual (English, French
and Spanish). Don’t forget to visit http://www.ei-ie.org
regularly.
HIV/AIDS, central topic of UNICEF’s 2000
issue of The Progress of Nations
The Progress of Nations 2000 records the devastating speed with which
HIV/AIDS has, in less than a generation, become the greatest catastrophe
facing the continent of Africa and is now spreading in Asia and parts of
Central Europe and Latin America. ‘Efforts to educate and inform people,
especially youth, about HIV/AIDS must be pursued with far greater energy’
writes United Nations Secretary-General Kofi A. Annan in the foreword.
More information at http://www.unicef.org
and pubdoc@unicef.org
UNICEF, New York, 2000, ISBN 92-806-3595-6. Also available in French
and Spanish.
Seven Fundamental Freedoms in UNDP’s Human
Development Report 2000
Human rights and human development is the sub-theme of this year’s
edition (available in English, French and Spanish) of the reputable Human
Development Report, which calls for stronger international action, especially
to support disadvantaged people and countries - and to offset growing global
inequalities. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) lists seven
fundamental freedoms to be secured for all people everywhere:
UNDP, New York, ISBN 0-19-521678-4. http://www.un.org/publications
or publications@un.org
What Works in Education - Motivating Students for Lifelong Learning
How to engage and maintain teenagers’ interest in school ‘work’? What
can governments and education systems do to inculcate the ‘zest for learning’
that young people will need if they are to thrive in 21st-century post-industrial
societies? These are some of the key questions addressed in this
review of eight countries (Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Japan, Korea,
Norway, and the United Kingdom) offering innovative schemes that appear
to be developing the skills and attitudes necessary for lifelong learning.
See http://www.oecd.org
OECD, Paris, June 2000, ISBN 92-64-17193-2, price: £17. US$28.
FF175. DM52. ¥2,900.
UNFPA’s The State of the World Population 2000 launched on 20 September
Lives Together, Worlds Apart - Men and Women in a Time of Change
is the (promising) subject of this year’s United Nations Population Fund
annual publication. The 75-page document released on 20 September 2000
focuses on gender inequality. For more information, bookmark http://www.unfpa.org
UNFPA, New York, September 2000, ISBN 0-89714-582-8. 75 pages (English,
French, Spanish).
