The AFT's commitment to international issues has guided the union's work to support the development of free and independent trade unions throughout the world and to oppose anti-democratic movements and regimes that deny human and trade union rights.

The AFT is proud of its history of support for the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, for Chilean teachers in their struggle against the Pinochet dictatorship and for teachers and workers in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

Today, the AFT, in cooperation with its network of global partners such as Education International and Public Services International, works to support teachers and other workers throughout the world. Through the union's international affairs department, the AFT offers union-to-union training programs and civics education and democracy projects in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin American, Africa and the Middle East, monitors international trends that affect our members and institutions in the United States and protests vigorously and consistently violations of teacher and trade union rights abroad.

Additionally, through the AFT-Africa AIDS Campaign, the union has established partnerships with teacher unions in Africa to provide technical assistance and other support for programs to battle the HIV/AIDS epidemic on that continent.

Questions?  Contact us at iad@aft.org.