TO ALL MEMBER ORGANISATIONS

TO ALL GLOBAL UNION FEDERATIONS

TO ALL WOMEN COMMITTEES

Brussels, 21 September 2009

Education International’s First World Conference for Women

19-22 May 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand

On the Move for Equality

Dear Colleagues,

Education International is pleased to announce its First World Conference for Women in Unions, Education and Society, entitled “On the Move for Equality” which will take place in Bangkok, Thailand from 19-22 May 2010. Your organisation is cordially invited to participate in this event.

The conference is structured around three main themes within the current global crises of economic recession, food security and climate change:

·  Connecting and strengthening the EI Women’s Networks: The conference is an opportunity to bring together all regional women’s networks for sharing plans and analysing obstacles, celebrating successes and planning joint actions.

·  Taking stock of the Status of Women in Today’s World: Thirty years after the adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) it is time to take stock. What is the participation of women in unions? What are the successes reached for women at work? How can education unions contribute to equality for both men and women, boys and girls?

·  Empowering Girls and Women Through Education: Education of and investment in women and girls is one of the most effective means of breaking the cycle of poverty. What are the means of increasing access to quality education in order to contribute to overcoming gender barriers through education?

The “On the Move for Equality” conference is an interactive and participatory discussion forum, open to all members. The aim of the conference is to create a joint understanding of the state of progress towards equality for women and men in unions, education and society, and to define priorities for the years to come. Amongst others, the conference outcomes may create a basis for discussion at the 6th EI World Congress in 2011.

Registration for the conference will start in mid November 2009. In addition to the Networks, participation is aimed at union leaders and those responsible for equality issues, union staff and members.

The working languages of the conference are English, French and Spanish and interpretation will be provided in those languages.

All information concerning the conference venue, programme and registration details will soon be available on the EI webpage.

We look forward to an engaging and productive conference.

Yours sincerely,

Fred van Leeuwen

General Secretary