AFT President Edward J. McElroy Elected to Education International 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Edward J. McElroy, president of the American Federation of Teachers, this week was elected to Education International’s executive board.  The election took place at the Education International executive board meeting in Brussels.

“AFT has been a part of Education International since its inception,” said McElroy.  “I am proud to continue this tradition and work with my colleagues to tackle issues that affect education around the world – free access to high-quality education, adequate funding for schools, and safe and effective working conditions for all education employees.”

Education International was formed in 1993 from the merger of two international teacher organizations: the International Federation of Free Teachers' Unions (IFFTU) and the World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession (WCOTP).  The AFT was instrumental in bringing about the union of these two organizations as a way to strengthen the teaching profession worldwide. 

“A free and high-quality education is a powerful and effective tool to combat poverty, promote peace and spread democracy around the world,” continued McElroy.  “Education International works at every level to ensure that all children have access to the best education possible, which is their ticket to a successful life.”

This is the first board position that McElroy has held in Education International. Former AFT president Sandra Feldman also was an EI vice president and former AFT president Albert Shanker was the organization’s founding president. 

Education International will embark on its seventh annual Global Action Week from April 24-30.  The theme of this year’s event is “Every Child Needs a Teacher,” a campaign that urges political leaders to provide more education funding and demonstrate greater leadership to work toward their stated goal of education for all by the year 2015.  More than 5 million people worldwide are expected to participate in Global Action Week activities.  For more information, visit www.ei-ie.org/globalactionweek/en/index.htm.

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