EIAP Conference: Sisters in Solidarity
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 129 No 6, 23 August 2024, page 22
The inaugural Education International Asia-Pacific (EIAP) Women’s Conference, “Sisters in Solidarity: Empowering Action and Leadership in Education Unions Across Asia-Pacific,” was held in July, bringing together women education trade unionists, leaders, and youth from across the region to share experiences, connect, and draw inspiration from each other.
As part of the Council of Pacific Educators (COPE), the Australian Education Union (AEU) sent a delegation, which included me and QTU Women Teachers and Girls’ Education Committee member Emily Potts.
A significant element of the conference agenda was kick starting the work of the four sub-regional networks and strategising and drafting the 2025 gender equity workplan. This will focus on piloting the “Sister-with-sister” program, which aims to build capacity among women to grow as union leaders, with a specific focus on how to:
- develop strong, resilient, and holistic gender programmes in our unions as the foundation of purposeful collective action
- build strong supportive and enabling structures with a shared purpose and intentional relationships
- strategise and enable collective and empowering leadership, and resources to achieve clear goals.
A shared purpose was developed during the sub-regional “Women, Power and Change” workshops, with women unionists from COPE reiterating the importance of building capacity to empower women in our region.
Other highlights
Gender equity is union business: A panel hosted by women leaders from various unions discussed the critical importance of gender equity within union activities and strategies.
Effective mentoring and coaching: Emma Lowe, the Australian Education Union’s Federal Women’s Officer, led a practical session on mentoring and coaching as essential leadership practices. Participants had the opportunity to develop and practise these skills with our sisters from other sub-regions.
Building strong networks: Nicole Calnan, Australian Education Union Deputy Federal Secretary, presented a session on organising and building robust, powerful networks, both within our unions and beyond. This allowed participants to learn how to structure teams, tell their stories, take action, and strategise to make effective change for members.
Promoting C190 and recommendation 206: Anna Lee Tuvera from The International Trade Union Confederation - Asia Pacific (ITUC-AP) conducted an informative session to raise awareness about C190, the International Labour Organisation’s anti-violence and harassment convention, and its recommendation 206. The discussion focused on actions unions can take to promote and advance these within their countries and unions.
Go public! Fund education: A breakout session featuring success stories from union leaders in Indonesia, Mongolia, Japan, Vanuatu, and Fiji highlighted the achievements in public education funding campaigns and acknowledged the next steps required.
Sub-regional networking and planning: Sub-regional networks worked to co-construct creative two-year plans centred on mentoring and coaching. At the end of the conference, these plans were presented, showcasing the localised strategies for engagement and networking from neighbouring sub-regions.
The conference also provided a platform for networking and the exchange of best practices, fostering a sense of community among women leaders. Workshops and panel discussions focused on leadership development, offering practical strategies to support women in driving necessary change. The emphasis on mentorship and capacity-building highlighted the necessity of investing in the next generation of women leaders.
Delegate Emily Potts said: “As a teacher activist, I had the rare opportunity to gain an international perspective on the role of education unions in our region and learn about the "Go public! Fund education" campaign. We participated in a mentoring and coaching workshop, discussing leadership, women’s empowerment, and organising skills. Another highlight was advocating for the ratification and implementation of the International Labour Organisation’s Convention 190 on violence and harassment in the world of work. The insights, experiences, and solidarity shared with fellow sisters made this conference a truly enriching experience.”