The National Union of Teachers (NUT) is dedicating its annual Teachers’ Day gathering to the Turkish and Kurdish communities. The NUT, AIUK and UCU have stated that they are concerned about the safety and wellbeing of refugees, students and teachers in the South East of Turkey where since October 2015, serious violations of human and trade union rights have been taking place. Therefore, we are holding an event for World Teachers’ Day, based on the theme ‘Teachers will not be silenced’.
This year’s World Teachers’ Day event will focus on issues related to the freedom of association and freedom of expression. Access to education is also a major concern and theme, specifically with regard to refugee and Kurdish children/ students. The event will highlight the injustices taking place, but also demonstrate what teachers are doing to resist.
Guest speakers will include representatives from Amnesty International, Education International, and Egitim-Sen, the teachers’ union from Turkey. Information on further speakers to follow.
The panel discussion and Q&A will be followed by an informal reception with refreshments, cultural activities organised by Day-Mer, a UK based organisation that campaigns for the economic, social, cultural and democratic rights of Turkish and Kurdish people.
More information on the event can be found at https://wtd2016.eventbrite.co.uk