1. International Solidarity: A Route to Union Activity
2012
Division Secretaries’ Briefing
On The Global Stage (section on international solidarity) available while waiting to begin.
Introductions including any experience of international solidarity
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2. Solidarity campaigning
Broadens scope
Provides contrast
Is a force for the good of human and trade union rights
International solidarity can focus on an infinite number of campaigns across the globe. Engaging in international solidarity can enable divisions to broaden the scope of local activity to reflect the particular interests that members have in teacher, trade union and human rights.
Focusing on an international solidarity campaign provides an outward view which contrasts with local concerns and can provide a contrasting shared perspective .
International solidarity campaigns are proactive. The campaigns generally facilitate action that can be taken and communication with a virtual community.
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3. NUT Affiliated International Campaigns
Justice for Colombia
Cuba Solidarity Campaign
Palestinian Solidarity Campaign
Nicaraguan Solidarity Campaign
Venezuelan Solidarity Campaign
Greek Solidarity Campaign
The decision to affiliate to an international solidarity campaign is made by the International Relations Sub Committee. There is a full list of the organisations that the NUT affiliates to in the annual report each year.
NUT is affiliated to several campaigns, predominantly in Latin America , as well as PSC and more recently GSC (handout packs with info on each of these examples.
As well as the annual affiliation the NUT takes an active role by:
Appointing an executive member to represent the NUT at meetings or events
Raising awareness of the campaign
Encouraging support e.g. On line petitions
The objectives of campaigns are many and various, from high profile organisations such as Amnesty International fighting on behalf of human rights, to the Global Campaign for Education which fights for education for all.
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4. Quiz time....
What % of income does the NUT allocate to international development work?
Are Ethiopian teachers represented by an independent trade union?
How many trade unionists were killed in Colombia in the first 3 months of 2012?
How many Palestinian child prisoners are in Israeli military detention?
How long has the President of the Bahrain Teachers Association been in prison?
Who is campaigning for sweat free Olympics?
What is a Millennium Development Goal?
1% , this work includes international solidarity
The official teacher trade union in Ethiopia is organised by the government . Civil servants and teachers do not have the right to an independent trade union.
6 trade unionists were killed with impunity in Colombia Jan to Mar 2012.
195 children held in Israeli military detention at the end of August 2012.
Held since April 2011, in September 2011 a military court handed two union BTA leaders prison sentences of 10 and 3 years after widespread civil protests.
Playfair (handout Fair’s Fair packs), a TUC project which fights for the rights of sweat shop workers.
UN MDGs established to ensure basic human rights by 2015, MDG2 universal primary education
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5. Educate, Agitate, Organise
Support a campaign
Link with another trade union
Focus on education
Use established link
Focus on a particular issue by choosing a campaign that members want to support e.g. Child labour, ethical trade, (hand out playfair materials, show site, TUC site…)
Linking with another trade union can achieve international solidarity through support and learning. Education International has news on teacher trade unions worldwide
and contact details of all affiliated teacher trade unions. (hand out EI newsletter)
Send My Friend To School Campaign - excellent example of campaigns and sources of information that can be used to inform, engage and organise members . Illustrate key sections of SMFTS web site
SSF video, 5 mins
Both these campaigns are accessible and may appeal to NUT members.
As well as powerful videos it may be possible to invite a speaker to attend a meeting.
Hand out copies of the NUT international termly newsletter ‘Global Matters’ which provides up to day information.
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6. Three Good Reasons
Think of three reasons why teacher trade unionists should want to support international solidarity.....
In pairs/groups to discuss for 5 minutes
Then to discuss as plenary
Identify top 3 reasons
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7. Keep in touch
Pam Collins
Suggestions on one thing they could do:
> Item at each meeting
Article in newsletters,
links on web sites
Annual events e.g. GCE GAW and WTD
Social events e.g. Cuban music night to raise funds
Hand out ‘ANC at 100’ packs and cpd/training course info...
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