Education International and the International Trade Union Confederation are recommending that member organisations, and in particular those in the G20 countries, be represented at a TUC- organised march and rally in London on 28th March, immediately prior to the meeting of the G20 countries in London on 2nd April.

A large turn-out at the march and rally will help to emphasise the trade union demand for urgent and decisive action to stop the current economic crisis depening further. It will also help to highlight the trade union recommendations to protect decent jobs for all, namely:

• A coordinated recovery plan to boost the world economy, including a ‘global Green New Deal’;
• A new international system of economic governance to manage 21st century global capitalism, including a strengthening of the role of the International Labour Organisation;
• Regulation of global financial markets;
• Combating the rise of injustice and providing a central role for partnership with trade unions.

Education International would also like member organisations to emphasise the vital role which investment in education should play in recovery plans. Investment in education infrastructure and human resources and in the development of quality public education services will help to underpin economic recovery and build a strong base for economic development into the future. The rally will take place in the early afternoon in Hyde Park. It will be preceded by a march from the Embankment. Details may be found at http://www.putpeoplefirst.org.uk/. To link up with EI UK member organisations who will be participating contact members of the EI/ETUCE Bureau, Jerry Bartlett of NASUWT or Paul Bennett of UCU. Further information about the rally and march may be available on the TUC and ITUC websites. If your organisation decides to send a representative to the march and rally please advise Owen Tudor at the TUC in London (otudor@tuc.org.uk) with a copy to (paneurope@ei-ie.org) Further information about the rally and March may be available on the TUC and ITUC websites.