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In addition to international organizations, in the past twenty years the world has seen a tremendous rise in non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Many of these NGOs advocate for global issues such as education, human rights, and poverty reduction. Despite being classified as non-for profits, these organizations, many of them working at the grassroots level, have had a tremendous impact on the way the world is conducting business. There are thousands of NGOs around the world, below is a small sampling of a few working to promote education.
Education International
Educational International (EI) is the world’s largest Global Union Federation, representing teachers and education workers around the globe.54 Representing nearly 30 million teachers worldwide, EI advocates for an improved status and welfare of those working in education, as well as the right of students to publicly funded and regulated systems of education.55
The work of EI is a testament to the global nature of the education. It also illustrates how ICT is creating components an interconnected global education system. Through EI, educators have a unified global voice to promote and influence cause for education as they see fit.
In addition to providing an international voice to educators, EI publishes it quarterly magazine, Worlds of Education. Through its magazine and other efforts, EI works to goes beyond education to raise awareness of humanitarian issues such as poverty, child labor, HIV/AIDS.
Global LAB: Learning Across Borders
Global Learning Across Borders provides students and educators with cultural immersion and community service opportunities. Espousing the belief that “international experience is a fundamental component of global education and citizenship in the 21st century and should be available to all, regardless of financial need” has programs in China, Tibet, Morocco, India, and Greece.56
Geared mainly toward students ranging from age 17-22, Global LAB provides the opportunity cultural engagement through a range of themes such as globalization, sustainable development, wisdom traditions, peace and conflict studies, public health issues, and the visual, performing, and literary arts.
Women’s Global Education Project
Founded in 2002, the Women’s Global Education Project believes that everyone is entitled to an education, regardless of gender or economic status. Women’s Global is working to provide access to education and develop training programs that empower women and girls to build better lives and foster equitable communities.57
Working in Senegal and Kenya, Women’s Global brings to light one of the global education system’s biggest challenges. Through their chief program, Sisters to School, Women’s Global is providing scholarships for girls to attend school, as well as providing tutoring and mentoring service to assist girls in achieving an education. Women’s Global also speaks out against Female Genital Mutilation.
54 http://www.ei-ie.org/en/aboutus/
55 http://www.ei-ie.org/en/aboutus/overview.htm
56 http://www.global-lab.org/about/
57 http://womensglobal.org/About%20Us/about.html