Azerbaijani rep elected to contribute to European education workers' future initiatives PHOTO

A representative from Azerbaijan was elected to a European structure during a conference held by the European Committee of Education Trade Unions in Budva, Montenegro, on November 26-27. 

The delegation from the Republican Committee of the Free Trade Union of Education Workers of Azerbaijan (FTUEWA), led by chairman Araz Pashayev, participated in this prestigious event.

The Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan’s press service told Caliber.Az that the conference focused on the future of public education in social Europe. 

Around 500 representatives from 123 organizations across 55 European countries attended the event, which addressed key issues such as the challenges facing modern education systems, ways to overcome them, and the role of trade unions in ensuring accessible and high-quality education for all students. Other topics discussed included inclusive education and the impact of digital tools and artificial intelligence in education.

Additionally, the conference reviewed the organization’s activities over the past four years and approved a strategic program and budget for 2025-2028.

Prominent figures such as Mugwena Maluleke, President of the International Education Union, David Edward, General Secretary of the organization, Esther Lynch, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, Larry Flanagan, President of the European Committee of Education Trade Unions, as well as experts and members of the press, participated in the event.

Elections were held during the conference to appoint the president, vice presidents, and executive committee members of the European Committee of Education Trade Unions. As a result, John McGabhann, President of the Irish Teachers' Union, was elected President for a four-year term. Vice presidents were elected from the education unions of Denmark, Great Britain, France, Serbia, Poland, and Spain.

At the first meeting of the Executive Committee, Araz Pashayev expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him and highlighted the work of FTUEWA, the largest organization within the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan, in protecting the rights of education workers.

During his visit to Budva, Pashayev held meetings with key figures including Mugwena Maluleke, President of the International Education Union, John McGabhann, President of the European Committee of Education Trade Unions, and Director Jelmer Evers. These meetings focused on exploring future cooperation opportunities. Pashayev also engaged in discussions with the heads of trade unions from Bulgaria, Poland, and Spain about possibilities for bilateral collaboration.

By Tamilla Hasanova