We advocate for the Global Community of Educators and Students

NEA Leaders Connect with Educator Unions Around the World

Standing Strong for Public Education at ISTP 2025 

March 2025—Since originating the idea for the International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) in 2010, the National Education Association (NEA) has been a global leader in advancing the voice of educators in education policy and research. That vision—bringing educators, policymakers, and education researchers together—led to the first ISTP in 2011, hosted by the U.S. in New York City. NEA, the U.S. Department of Education, Education International (EI), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the American Federation of Teachers co-hosted that historic summit. This led to U.S.-based gatherings in 2012, 2021 (virtually), and 2023, and in OECD countries across the globe for nearly 15 years. Over time, these summits have become a vital hub for education thought leadership—shaping policy, fostering evidence-based dialogue, and generating innovative solutions. 

At ISTP 2025 in Reykjavík, Iceland, NEA President Becky Pringle and Senior Director for Policy Daaiyah Bilal-Threats joined EI’s delegation. Due to the current U.S. administration’s anti-union and anti-public education stance, including efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, an official U.S. delegation could not be constituted. NEA’s presence was more important than ever as education leaders attending the summit expressed both curiosity and deep concern about the attacks on public education in the US. President Pringle not only addressed concerns from colleagues but also delivered inspiring remarks about the profound educational and societal benefits of having inclusive and diverse educational settings, reminding attendees that this is a time to double down on these values, not walk away from them. President Pringle also highlighted the power of collaboration and centering the voices of educators, students, and the community, using examples from UTLA Los Angeles, NEA’s community schools institute, and our Labor Management Collaboration initiative.  

The 2025 Summit, co-hosted by Iceland’s Ministry of Education and Children, the OECD, EI, and the Icelandic Teachers’ Union, highlighted inspiring global examples. Iceland’s investment in early childhood education and its focus on student voice and teacher well-being offered a holistic learning model. One of the most moving remarks came from education leaders in Ukraine, who cited the work educators are doing to operate 200 underground schools (in subway tunnels) during wartime—a humbling reminder of how deeply educators and public education support democracy. 

ISTP, born from NEA’s belief that teaching is a global profession and that educator voice is essential for successful education reform, remains a one-of-a-kind platform for elevating the profession and advancing equity in education.  

NEA Calls for Global Solidarity to Defend the Right to Learn 

March 24, 2025—NEA President Becky Pringle and AFT President Randi Weingarten addressed global education union leaders from dozens of countries at an Education International webinar to confront the growing threats facing public education in the United States. Together, they warned of a coordinated effort to dismantle public schools, weaken unions, and privatize education—part of a broader authoritarian agenda. 

“Education is the foundation of democracy,” said President Pringle, highlighting the strength and determination of educators, families, and communities organizing in response through protests, legal action, and grassroots advocacy.  

“Unions were made for moments like this. We will continue to fight because the future of our students and democracy itself depends on our success.” 

NEA is actively pushing back—filing lawsuits against attacks on inclusive education and the unlawful dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education; organizing mass walk-ins; defending academic freedom; and mobilizing ahead of the 2026 midterm elections for a pro-public education majority in the US Congress. Pringle added that all of these efforts are guided by a clear and urgent vision: 

“A racially and socially just public education system that is a common good for all.” 

Support from the global education community is growing. In recent weeks, union leaders and members around the world have continued to express unwavering solidarity with NEA and U.S. educators.  

NEA has responded by standing shoulder to shoulder with them, helping build a global movement to defend democracy and protect every student’s right to learn. 

NEA Advocates for Gender Equity at the UN Commission on the Status of Women 

March 2025—The 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW69) marked 30 years of progress since adopting the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. NEA Executive Committee member Gladys Fátima Márquez and Women’s Issues Committee Chair Jamila Walton traveled to New York City to represent NEA at the session. As part of the Education International delegation, they joined education and labor leaders from around the world to shine a spotlight on the vital role public education plays in advancing gender equity. 

Throughout the week, they attended sessions and side events hosted by governments and civil society organizations, ensuring education stayed at the heart of the global conversation. Marquez helped raise NEA’s international profile as a featured panelist at a trade union event, where she stated, “A woman’s place is in her union, and we find strength in sisterhood. I found my voice and I found agency in the labor movement. I can lock arms and find solidarity not just with sisters in my union, but sisters across the world.” 

The session concluded with the adoption of the Beijing +30 Political Declaration, reaffirming international commitments to gender equality and labor rights. These gains come despite ongoing efforts by regressive forces, including the U.S. withdrawal from global institutions and cuts to USAID’s programs, to dismantle decades of progress. NEA remains committed to international solidarity and the belief that quality public education is a human right and a powerful force for social transformation. 

NEA at the EI World Congress: Defending Democracy and Public Education Worldwide 

From July 29 to August 2, 2024, the National Education Association joined over 1,200 educators from 150+ countries at the Education International (EI) 10th World Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina. NEA’s delegation reflected the wide diversity of our member categories: from aspiring to retired, and spanning teachers to Education Support Professionals at all levels of public education.  

President Becky Pringle was elected to EI’s Executive Board and now serves as Vice President for North America and the Caribbean region. In this role, she continues a legacy of strong NEA leadership on the global stage and reaffirms our deep commitment to public education, human rights, and democracy all around the world.  

The Congress took place during a time of deep political and economic strife for public education and unions in Argentina. At the time of the Congress, Argentina’s authoritarian president had imposed severe funding cuts to public schools, colleges, and universities, threatening academic freedom and institutions’ rights to govern themselves. In a show of solidarity and outrage, congress delegates stood with Argentine education unions, backing their fight against austerity measures that endanger public education, public pensions, salaries, and more. Our presence and advocacy sent a clear and powerful message: Public education is a human right. When it is under attack, we will not be silenced. 

Throughout the week, delegates debated and adopted 43 resolutions focused on elevating our profession, defending democracy, advancing equity, promoting peace, and strengthening union organizing. NEA helped to author two key resolutions - Combatting Climate Change and Advancing Environmental Justice for Our Most Vulnerable Students and Communities and  Education Support Personnel—both passed Congress with overwhelming support. The NEA also played an important role in organizing support for an urgent resolution addressing the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Gaza resolution also passed with overwhelming support and called for immediate international action to protect civilians - especially children—and uphold human rights and access to education.  

We were especially proud to have nominated and celebrated NEA member Arlene Inouye, who received the 2024 Albert Shanker Education Award for her incredible work and lifelong dedication to public education and union values.  

The 10th EI World Congress was a powerful reminder that challenges such as underfunding, threats to professional autonomy, declining democratic freedoms, and climate injustice are shared by educators around the world—and so is our collective strength. As educators and unionists, we are also united by shared values and resilience. We left the Congress more inspired, connected, and determined than ever. 

We will keep fighting for human and trade union rights, standing up for social and racial justice, defending democracy, and lifting the dignity of our profession—at home and around the world. 

Traveling with the NEA President

International Women's Day in Jamaica

President Pringle represented NEA and women educators all over the world powerfully in March when she appeared as an international guest speaker at the Jamaica Teachers Association conference celebrating International Women’s Day. JTA is the Caribbean’s largest union. “When women win, everybody wins,” Pringle's told conference attendees. “I don’t need to tell the people in this room that educators lack the dignity and respect and the pay that reflects the important work we do.”

Pringle's visit was featured in The Gleaner, one of Jamaica’s largest national newspapers. She also attended a dinner with the Education Minister and appeared on “Smile Jamaica,” the country’s most popular morning show.