EI
ACTIVITIES
A New Way
of Doing Business
EI has succeeded in building a reputation within the
international community of being reliable, consistent and above all tenacious
when it comes to protecting the rights of teachers, the rights of children, and
the rights of education unions. Part of this success stems from always striving
to do better and to do more. To better mobilise information, mobilise members,
mobilise partnerships, the EI Secretariat has been reorganised into three new
departments, i.e. Advocacy, Membership Services, and Administration to carry out
the congressionally adopted program and budget. A full description of the reorganisation
was sent to member organisations in mid- February. More information is also available
on the EI web site: www.ei-ie.org.
Global
Unions Set a New Course
Meeting in Prague 10-11 January, international
trade union federations representing all sectors of the economy, including EI,
debated the future course of the international trade union movement. Globalisation
of the world economy confronts unions and their members with new challenges in
both the private and public sectors. More than ever unions must combine international
advocacy with local mobilisation.
In
an effort to convey more clearly the dynamic role of their organisations, the
general secretaries adopted the new title global union federations to replace
the century-old name of international trade secretariats.
Participants
in the Prague Conference included the general secretaries of ten global union
federations, as well as the General Secretaries of International Confederation
of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD
(TUAC) and the head of ILO/ACTRAV. General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen and consultant
Bob Harris represented EI, the largest global union federation with 24.5 million
members.
The global union
federations discussed a major study commissioned by ICFTU in 2000 on the future
of the international trade union movement - the Millennium Review. The study highlighted
the growing number of agreements negotiated between global union federations and
multinational corporations in the private sector, and the growing influence of
EI and Public Services International (PSI) on intergovernmental agencies such
as the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
and the World Trade Organisation. A great deal of overlap was noted between issues
affecting the private and public sectors - the influence of business on inter-governmental
agencies, pressures for privatisation and commercialisation of public services,
and the growing importance of codes of conduct.
Another
major debate occurred on the future of sectoral programs at the International
Labour Organisation (ILO). EI supports a better use of resources through regional
activities, but also believes strongly that ILO must give more attention to the
education sector, which employs more people than any of the other 24 sectors recognised
in the ILO program.
Within
the movement, important structural questions remain to be addressed constructively,
for example, relations with the World Confederation of Labour and at the European
level with the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
World
Forums
In the last week of January every international group, multinational
corporation or individual with a global mission was either in Porte Alegre to
take part in the World Social Forum or in New York to attend - or to protest against
- the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. The global union federations,
including Education International, were represented at both events. Their message
was clear: "Working people in most of the world are getting a bad deal out
of globalisation, as employment security declines and the share of wages falls
relative to profits." The Global Union federations are concerned about the
absence or weakness of democratic, global institutions to defend the common good
and reflect the will of the people. They are warning about "a shift of power
from the elected leaders of government to the unelected leaders of global capital."
The Global Union leaders
in New York, which included EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen, met with ILO
Director General Juan Somavia, WTO Executive Director Mike Moore, World Bank President
James Wolfensohn and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson.
The World Economic Forum has invited the international trade union movement to
form an advisory group that the Forum will consult on the agenda and format of
its annual meeting. Together with union activists from New York they visited "ground
zero" and paid tribute to the victims of the attack on the World Trade Centre
on 11 September 2001.
Marta
Maffei, President of the EI Latin American Regional Committee and Carlos Abicalil,
both members of the EI Executive Board, Elie Jouen, EI Deputy General Secretary
and Combertty Rodriguez Garcia, Chief Regional Co-ordinator for Latin America,
attended the World Social Forum in Porte Alegre. Several national organisations
affiliated with EI were also present.
The
more than 50,000 participants attended nearly 700 seminars, round tables and working
groups. One seminar on education gathered nearly 1,000 participants. Education
For All and the need for quality public education were at the centre of a broad
debate. Also highly discussed was the role of the labour union movement in globalisation.
The Forum wanted to be pragmatic while trying to show that another world is possible.
Financing
the Future
At the invitation of the United Nations, an interesting mix
of parliamentarians, academics, economists and activists along with representatives
of the World Bank, ILO and International Monetary Fund (IMF) examined the theme
of Financing Global Social Development at a meeting in New York from the 6 to
8 February. Sheena Hanley, EI Deputy General Secretary represented EI. There was
general agreement that the current paradigm of global policy-making must change
and that development must be viewed from a broader perspective than the narrow
economic focus that has been in vogue for the last 20 to 25 years. It was noted
that financing of social development is more difficult today at the national level
in developing countries because of the lack of available resources and the political
trend to shrink the role of the state. At the international level, there has been
a declining trend in Official Development Aid (ODA). This lack of resources is
seen as a problem of ideology, rather than a lack of money that could be made
available. The lack of an international counterbalance to the global financial
power structures that now exist was seen to be a problem that needs to be remedied.
The
Draft Monterrey Consensus that will be discussed at the Conference on Financing
for Development (Monterrey, Mexico 18-22 March) was judged to be weak and not
breaking new ground. Criticism was also directed at some developing countries
that do not have sound macroeconomic policies and whose priorities for spending
are questionable. The fact that priority setting is often skewed by donors' interests
and willingness to fund certain programmes was also criticised. The need for careful
analysis and evaluation of government to government projects was spelled out.
Concern was expressed that using external funds for social development would bring
with it other norms and values and many conditionals.
A
number of people present felt it was time to call a halt to international conferences
and to increase pressure on governments to keep their word and implement commitments
already made.
UNESCO/NGO
International Conference
The triennial International Conference of Non-Governmental
Organisations (Paris, December 12-15 2001) brings together the representatives
of the NGOs that maintain official relations with UNESCO. The 3-day meeting reaffirmed
UNESCO's commitment to work more closely with civil society organisations.
Speaking
for the Director General of UNESCO, Koichiro Matsuura, the Deputy Director General
Marcio Barboza highlighted the importance of NGO contributions in the achievements
of UNESCO. The Deputy Director General thanked the President of the UNESCO-NGO
Liaison Committee, EI's Monique Fouilhoux, for her tireless efforts to stimulate
the co-operation between UNESCO and the NGO community. The qualitative contribution
of NGOs was obvious during the International Conference's three seminars on New
Technologies and the Digital Divide Between the North and the South; Globalisation
and Freedoms: vision, role and action of NGOs and Cultures, Religions, Identities:
forms and dynamics of human coexistence. The outcomes resulting from these round
tables can be consulted on Internet at http://www.unesco.org/ext/ngo/comite /
Monique
Fouilhoux was overwhelmingly re-elected for a two years term as the president
of the 9-member Liaison Committee. The DG of UNESCO was delighted by the re-election
although she does not spare the organisation any criticism: "When UNESCO
organises a meeting of experts, a specialised seminar or takes an initiative it
often calls upon the NGO community, but when the meetings become institutional,
the NGOs are marginalized. It is necessary for UNESCO to reconsider its current
working methods and structure that currently leave little place, if at all, for
NGO participation." The president's remarks seem to be heard since Mr. Ahmed
Sayyad, representative of the DG, in defence asked the Liaison Committee to put
forth proposals on how to include NGOs more directly in the work of UNESCO.
Impact
of Chinese accession to the WTO on the Labour Movement
On 23-25 January,
EI Regional Co-ordinator Sagar Nath Pykuryal attended a seminar on China's accession
into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the resulting impact on the Chinese
labour market. The Beijing meeting hosted by the All China Federation of Trade
Unions included some 33 participants from various Chinese unions and global union
federations, including EI.
Participants
evaluated the possible impact on different sectors of the economy by the accession
of China in the WTO. All unions feel that there will be lay-offs and unemployment
will rise and there is a need to improve the quality and functioning of the trade
unions.
However, EI's regional
co-ordinator observed that "They continue to look at the government to provide
solutions." The ACFTU as an arm of the party controls workers. There might
be a possibility of international co-operation with the ACFTU and its affiliates
for training in collective bargining. Actively promoting trade union rights may
not be possible for now, but it is worthwhile to develop contact and initiate
co-operation with the unions taking into account the tremendous changes taking
place in China. Some global union federations already have activities planed in
China. The Union Network International and Public Services International delegations
are due to visit China later this year. Currently Chinese teachers are represented
by the Educational Cultural and Health Union, which had no representatives at
the seminar.
EI Visits
Sao Tomé
EI recently helped equip the secretariat of SINPRESTEP,
its affiliate in Sao Tomé. EI Regional Co-ordinator Samuel Ngoua Ngou on
mission to the island at the end of January drew up the following report: SINPRESTEP,
which gathers more than 60% of the 2,000 teachers and other education personnel
of the island, is a trade union full of potential. After its launch in 1993, SINPRESTEP
spent its first few years in semi-clandestinity because of government hostility,
relations have since improved. The EI co-ordinator hosted by union representatives
met with the Minister of Education. Problems emerge when SINPRESTEP requires the
government to keep to its commitments or to take into account trade-union demands.
The education system of
this young and very poor country is in a relatively good situation given the financial
capacities of the country. The rate of schooling indicates a notable progression.
The lack of trained teachers is however a significant deficiency. Half of the
primary education teachers do not have any training, and the proportion of teachers
not trained at the secondary level reaches 85%. Insufficient wages push many teachers
towards jobs that offer better salaries and working conditions. Teacher training
is a significant part of the national action plan for Education For All. SINPRESTEP
was very appreciative of the EI assistance.
Global
Action Week
The Global Campaign for Education will be organising the
third Global Action Week (GAW) on 22-28 April 2002. The GAW will represent the
high point of a mass mobilisation campaign to get governments to prepare National
Education For All Plans and get the G8 to commit to increase aid and debt relief
for education. EI as a partner in the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) has
agreed to help organise national children's art competitions and an international
exhibition of the artwork.
The
children's art competition will be run at the national level through member organisations
with co-operation from other GCE coalitions and UNESCO. It will culminate in a
public event during the Global Action Week. To capitalise on the momentum and
profile the achievements from GAW, Education International will arrange an exhibition
of some of the drawings during the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children's
Rights in New York in early May, and possibly at the G-8 in Canada and other important
meetings through out the year.
A
children's art competition is a fun and lively way to create national awareness
of Education For All (EFA) and mobilise communities. The success of Global Action
Week depends on your participation. Co-ordinated global action creates real pressure
on governments to achieve Education for All. December 31, 2002, as the deadline
for submitting National Plans of Action, is the first critical milestone on the
road to achieving EFA by 2015. Don't let 2002 go by unnoticed - get involved!
Urgent
Action Appeal Nepal
EI has issued an Urgent Action Appeal prompted by
the serious deterioration of the human rights situation in Nepal. Peace talks
aimed at ending the Maoist's six-year "people's war" and an accompanying
cease-fire broke down on 23 November 2001. Reports indicate that human rights
abuses are perpetrated by both the Maoists and Nepalese government. Amnesty International
reports that "more than 3,300 people have been arrested since the state of
emergency has been declared [in November]. Among them are many lawyers, students
and teachers arrested throughout the country on suspicion of being members or
sympathisers of the Maoists. To Amnesty International's knowledge, very few of
those arrested have so far been brought to court."
Information
relating to teachers collected from the EI unions NTA and NNTA clearly points
out that the Maoists are targeting teachers. Yet, authorities suspect teachers
of supporting Maoist activities. For the past six years, since terrorism broke
out, people have had to flee to escape from death and injury.
Recent
reports indicate that at least three dozen teachers have been killed by the Maoists
in the last three months. More than 100 teachers have been arrested by security
forces. Most of them, mainly members of NNTA, are imprisoned without any investigation
and without trial. Three of them have already died in custody, allegedly through
being tortured. A number of teachers are also reported to be missing.
EI
continues to pressure the Nepalese Government to find a quick and peaceful solution
that respects human rights and enforces justice.
EI
Vacancies
A full-time Advocacy Co-ordinator is needed in the EI Brussels
Office. The Advocacy Department is primarily focused on the achievement of quality
public education for all, the improvement of the status of teachers, and the protection
of their human and trade union rights. Duties include monitoring progress in education
since the World Education Forum on Education for All (EFA), at national, regional
and international levels; Preparing EI's contribution to intergovernmental and
international events; Assisting with the preparation of conferences and workshops
on issues dealing with education, human and trade union rights; Assisting with
the development of partnership action networks with NGOs and global union federations.
The candidate should have excellent fluency and writing skills in English and
at least one other EI working language (French and/or Spanish) and Graduation
from university or equivalent is required. Good knowledge of information technology
is essential. Several years of related experience, preferably in a teacher union,
trade union or other organisation specialising in education, or trade and human
rights, is required. Some travelling is required. This position offers a long-term
contract. To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to the attention of Deputy
General Secretary Elie Jouen at the Brussels office or by email at Elie.jouen@ei-ie.org
by March 31, 2002.
A Regional
Co-ordinator is needed in the Kuala Lumpur regional office. EI regional offices
are entrusted with the implementation of the (sub) regional activities, including
providing assistance to co-operating organisations, maintaining contacts with
member organisations, reporting on regional developments and organising meetings
of regional governing bodies, advocating and implement EI's policies and working
program; co-ordinates and assists in the implementation of projects and ensures
the application of the organisation's policy in respect to development co-operation
activities; Assists with tasks in relation with the office administration. Graduation
from university or equivalent is required. The candidate should have excellent
fluency and writing skills in English and at least one other EI working language
(French and/or Spanish). Good knowledge of information technology is essential,
as are administrative and communication experience and the ability to work independently.
At least 5 years of professional experience in a similar position, preferably
with a teacher's or trade union organisation or an NGO. The position requires
some travelling. To apply please send a CV and cover letter to the attention of
Chief Regional Co-ordinator Aloysius Mathews at 25 Jalan Telawi Dua, 2nd Floor,
Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia or by email at eduint@pc.jaring.my
by March 31, 2002.
For
more information regarding these positions please consult the EI web site at www.ei-ie.org
or call +322 224 06 11 or write the Brussels office.
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