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About NASUWT

About NASUWT. NASUWT is the largest trade union representing 285,000 teachers and headteachers in the UK. The Union is led by the General Secretary Chris Keates. Every year the Union holds Annual Conference to debate the issues affecting teachers’ working lives.

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About NASUWT

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  1. About NASUWT • NASUWT is the largest trade union representing 285,000 teachers and headteachers in the UK. • The Union is led by the General Secretary Chris Keates. • Every year the Union holds Annual Conference to debate the issues affecting teachers’ working lives. NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World

  2. NASUWT International Work • NASUWT officially supports trade unions in four countries: Burma, Iraq, Zimbabwe and Colombia • NASUWT is represented on the Executive Board of Education International, a federation of international trade unions • For further information go to www.nasuwt.org.uk/International NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World

  3. Zimbabwe – Key facts • Population: 12.5 million • Official Language: English • Currency: Dollar, South African Rand NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World

  4. Zimbabwe Zimbabwe has been ruled by corrupt dictator Robert Mugabe and his party Zanu-PF, since 1980. Due to international pressure and brave protests from Zimbabwean citizens despite the risk of being tortured or killed, Mugabe was forced to hold elections in 2007. NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World

  5. Robert Mugabe: Corruption and Violence • Mugabe’s army and police tortured and intimidated opposition parties including the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangari. • Although the elections were not fair and ballots were tampered with, it was clear that the MDC had won. • Mugabe refused to admit defeat, however, and the MDC were forced to accept an uneasy power-sharing arrangement. NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World

  6. Human Rights Abuses • Although the MDC do hold some government positions, Zanu-PF are still in overall control. This has meant that human rights are still under threat in Zimbabwe and people face widespread beatings and corruption from the police. • Trade unions particularly suffer from police brutality because they lead the front in standing up to people’s human rights. • Zimbabweans suffer from widespread poverty due to the corrupt government. Whilst the majority of the people are unable to afford more than basic food and housing needs, other corrupt government officials and businessmen live in opulent luxury. NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World

  7. The NASUWT has supported Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA) for many years to promote human rights and to campaign against Zimbabwe’s brutal regime. The NASUWT particularly supports the PTUZ, the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe. • In recent years this support has included donations, targeted protests, contacting politicians in the UK to remind them that these problems still exist in Zimbabwe and inviting speakers to discuss their problems. • Recently the NASUWT sent a delegation to Zimbabwe to the annual PTUZ conference to discuss at first hand how support can be given. NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World

  8. Women’s Rights In Zimbabwe • Women in Zimbabwe are subject to widespread violence and discrimination from pro-Mugabe forces. • Unfortunately, women’s rights groups that were developed in Zimbabwe to protest against discrimination have been targeted by ZANU-PF supporters. For example, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) have 75,000 members, many of whom have been targeted for repression. • The news organisation Reuters recently reported that eight members of the organisation were hospitalised as a result of suspected poisoning by pro-government forces. • Amnesty International and global trade union organisations are working closely together to lobby governments in both Europe and North America to continue to pressure the Zimbabwean Government on this issue.

  9. Activities • You could use the information and photos in the presentation to produce a fact file of the key issues in Zimbabwe. • Use the information and photos you have researched to write a letter to your MP about the issues in Zimbabwe. • You could use the information and photos within the presentation and on the linked websites to produce a campaigning leaflet or poster identifying why people should support a campaign for human rights in Zimbabwe. NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World

  10. Links • For further information, visit: www.actsa.org • For further information on the NASUWT’s campaigns visit www.nasuwt.org.uk/Zimbabwe • To write a letter to your MP visit www.nasuwt.org.uk/ContactYourMP NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World

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