On 6 April 2021, Justice for Colombia organised a fringe event as part of the National Education Union’s 2021 conference on the many challenges facing Colombian teacher trade unionists.
We were joined by executive committee members of Colombia’s largest trade union, the Colombian Federation of Educators (FECODE), to hear about human rights violations and stigmatisation against their members, as well as the union’s campaign for decent conditions, investment and biosecurity measures in the public education system.
Speakers:
William Velandia – President, FECODE
Mary Bousted – Joint-General Secretary, NEU
Martha Alfonso – Human Rights Coordinator, FECODE
Hasan Dodwell – Director, JFC
Chair: Dawn Taylor – Vice-Chair, NEU International Committee
Check the links below for examples of recent advocacy around Colombia involving the NEU:
- British and Irish education unions denounce violence against Colombian teachers (Feb 2020)
- British and Irish unions express ‘extreme concern’ over violence in Colombia (Sept 2020)
- NEU writes to Colombian president over latest threats to trade unionists (Nov 2020)
- NEU condemns Colombian senators’ ‘dangerous’ stigmatisation of teachers (Nov 2020)
You can also download our campaign leaflet to support Colombian teachers.