Mo03
14th December 2008, 20:07
I am a student activist in Germany and initiator of the "International Day of Action against the Commercialization of Education", which took place on Nov.5th 2008. Groups in about 25 countries on 5 continents arranged protests and events as part of the international day of action.
You can download a presentation summarizing the protests on that day here: (unfortunately I am not able to post links, so get in touch with me, if you want the link to the file)
The mobilization video can be viewed here: (search for "Global Action Day for Education" on youtube)
The most intense protests took place in England, Canada, Germany, Turkey and Croatia. But groups in Bangladesh, the Philippines, Israel, Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Australia, Liberia, Egypt, France, Ireland, (f.Y.R.o.) Macedonia, Spain, Greece, the Netherlands, Colombia, Argentina, U.S. of A., Bulgaria and Serbia were involved as well and arranged protests and events as part of the international day of action.
For a society consisting of self-determined in individuals free and emancipating education is irreplaceable.
Students in many parts of this world are struggling against so-called “neoliberal” reforms and the continuous efforts to privatize the public education system in “their” country right now.
Public education systems, from kindergarten to university, must prioritize emancipating aspects, be free and accessible to all. A democracy only exists, if society consists of emancipated and self-determined individuals,
that are able to critically reflect their (social) environment, developments and power structures. Any system, that doesn’t fulfill these criteria is not a democracy.
We believe that the forces responsible for the commercialization of education (and many more aspects of life) function globally and therefore it just makes sense to also unite and co-ordinate protests globally.
For a list of recent education protests around the world this year go here: (search for "fading hope international student protest 2008")
As a result of the co-ordination efforts for the international day of action a loose network was shaped calling itself "International Students Movement". We regularly have international chat conferences and now decided to call for a "Global Week of Action 2009". That week is scheduled for the end of April (20/04 - 27/04).
Furthermore a homepage was created with many different forums, which we hope will help to discuss, co-ordinate and create new networks locally and globally: (search for "emancipating education for all")
We need free public education systems, that serve the public as a whole and don’t primarily function as a research platform for private businesses and as providers for the labour market with human capital.
Please consider to join the struggle with your group, together we are stronger!
If you have any questions or suggestions, then just drop me a line.
In Solidarity from Germany,
Mo.
You can download a presentation summarizing the protests on that day here: (unfortunately I am not able to post links, so get in touch with me, if you want the link to the file)
The mobilization video can be viewed here: (search for "Global Action Day for Education" on youtube)
The most intense protests took place in England, Canada, Germany, Turkey and Croatia. But groups in Bangladesh, the Philippines, Israel, Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Australia, Liberia, Egypt, France, Ireland, (f.Y.R.o.) Macedonia, Spain, Greece, the Netherlands, Colombia, Argentina, U.S. of A., Bulgaria and Serbia were involved as well and arranged protests and events as part of the international day of action.
For a society consisting of self-determined in individuals free and emancipating education is irreplaceable.
Students in many parts of this world are struggling against so-called “neoliberal” reforms and the continuous efforts to privatize the public education system in “their” country right now.
Public education systems, from kindergarten to university, must prioritize emancipating aspects, be free and accessible to all. A democracy only exists, if society consists of emancipated and self-determined individuals,
that are able to critically reflect their (social) environment, developments and power structures. Any system, that doesn’t fulfill these criteria is not a democracy.
We believe that the forces responsible for the commercialization of education (and many more aspects of life) function globally and therefore it just makes sense to also unite and co-ordinate protests globally.
For a list of recent education protests around the world this year go here: (search for "fading hope international student protest 2008")
As a result of the co-ordination efforts for the international day of action a loose network was shaped calling itself "International Students Movement". We regularly have international chat conferences and now decided to call for a "Global Week of Action 2009". That week is scheduled for the end of April (20/04 - 27/04).
Furthermore a homepage was created with many different forums, which we hope will help to discuss, co-ordinate and create new networks locally and globally: (search for "emancipating education for all")
We need free public education systems, that serve the public as a whole and don’t primarily function as a research platform for private businesses and as providers for the labour market with human capital.
Please consider to join the struggle with your group, together we are stronger!
If you have any questions or suggestions, then just drop me a line.
In Solidarity from Germany,
Mo.