INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS EDUCATION

WHEREAS, the American Federation of Teachers recognizes that the viability of American public education, and the trade union rights of teachers are related, directly and indirectly, to international affairs; and

WHEREAS, more than ever before the strength of the economy, the welfare of working people in general and, consequently, the availability of public funds for education are influenced by international economic and political trends and United States foreign policy; and

WHEREAS, the United States faces a number of economic problems which are international in scope, such as economic dislocation and high unemployment, the rising cost and limited availability of raw materials especially oil--and the challenge to encourage development in third world nations without turning them into  "sweat shops" for the richer countries; and

WHEREAS, the response of the United States to these and other international economic issues will effect, to a great extent, our ability to pay for a strong public education system; and

WHEREAS, the American Federation of Teachers

• Reaffirms its opposition to the suppression of human and trade union rights as expressed in previous AFT resolutions;

• Notes that in most cases trade unionists, including teachers, are primary targets for oppression by dictators of the right or the left;

• Supports the efforts of the AFL-CIO and other organizations to publicize human and trade union rights violations before international public opinion, which has proved to be one of the most effective means of assisting unionists and others struggling to achiever their freedom;

• Is especially concerned with the efforts of many anti-democratic governments to censor and restrict the freedom of the press through actions in the UNESCO organization, which could limit the ability of the media to report human rights violations and could greatly discredit the important social and humanitarian work of this United Nations agency

Therefore, because of the importance to American teachers of these and other international political and economic issues:

• Reaffirms its opposition to the suppression of human and trade union rights as expressed in previous AFT resolutions;

• Notes that in most cases trade unionists, including teachers, are primary targets for oppression by dictators of the right or the left;

• Supports the efforts of the AFL-CIO and other organizations to publicize human and trade union rights violations before international public opinion, which has proved to be one of the most effective means of assisting unionists and others struggling to achieve their freedom;

• Is especially concerned with the efforts of many anti-democratic governments to censor and restrict the freedom of the press through actions in the UNESCO organization, which could limit the ability of the media to report human rights violations and could greatly discredit the important social and humanitarian work of this United Nations agency;

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers will increase the awareness of its leaders and members on international issues of special concern to trade unionists through its publications and through its special international education programs; and

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers will monitor human and trade union rights violations, especially as they relate to teachers and teacher unions and will initiate campaigns to publicize and assist teachers who are victims of such repression; and

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers will make its interest in international issues known to American elected leaders through our legislative and political action departments; and

RESOLVED, that we will continue to support the work of the AFL-CIO and of the International Federation of Free Teachers Unions (IFFTU) in assisting teachers and all workers in building strong and democratic trade unions in the developing nations; and

RESOLVED, that we will continue to defend teacher interests and rights in international bodies such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, UNESCO, and the International Labor Organization, both directly and in cooperation with the AFT's international trades secretariat, IFFTU.