Education: Hope for newcomers in Europe
4. Union initiatives to increase education opportunities for all Most teachers in Germany belong to one of two union groups, the GEW under the umbrella of the DGB (German Trade Union Confederation ), or one of several unions under the umbrella of the DBB (German Federation of Civil Servants). The GEW is the biggest union in the education sector with about 280,000 members, among them educators and teachers in schools, early childhood education, vocational training, adult and higher education. This chapter outlines GEW’s general policies regarding the educational participation of refugees and migrants. It then highlights recent initiatives and selected projects as well as their impact on meeting challenges and increasing education opportunities for all.
4.1. General policies and advocacy
4.1.1. Guiding principles According to the stipulated policies for human rights, social justice and nondiscrimination as well as professional ethics, GEW advocates for the right to quality education for all and is committed to valuing and respecting diversity. On this basis, GEW has been promoting the rights and entitlements of refugees and migrants in the different areas of education for many years. Initiatives in this field are coordinated by the federal committee on migration, diversity, and antidiscrimination (BAMA), with corresponding committee structures in the federal states. Its central positions have been published in a pamphlet titled “Appreciate diversity – realise the right to education”.34 Thus, the political and professional involvement of GEW and its members to ensure equity in and through education systems and programmes is not limited to demanding better working conditions. It encompasses advocacy for inclusive policies and strategies for capacity building on different levels, the promotion of bi- or multilingual and intercultural education, teacher training and professional development regarding diversity issues, cooperation with organisations to raise awareness about racism, fostering activities and networks against all forms of discrimination, and the publication and dissemination of expertise and teaching materials. 34 http://www.gew.de/bama/ Accessed 20 October 2017.
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