Australia’s Global Action Week is extended to allow states and territories to organise activities in schools from May 2nd to 17th June.

Themed around “Women’s and Girl’s Education” Global Action Week this year coincides with the one hundredth anniversary of International Women’s Day.

The Global Campaign for Education has been making gains in education advocacy for over ten years, but, despite the member coalitions in over 100 countries, Australia has not been represented – until recently.

Approximately 37 million girls are not in primary school, so over 10 million school students worldwide will participate in classroom activities highlighting the rights of girls to an education.

The focus of the activities is on ‘story telling’ (The Big Story) by women and girls relating personal examples and experiences of their benefitting from an education, explaining the difference an education has made to their lives, or of being denied an education; to tell their stories about the impact that loss has had on their lives.

The main aim will be to encourage world leaders to make specific policy pledges which must be followed through and implemented.

How to get involved:

• Get in touch the Australian Coalition for Education and Development Penny Tourta-Alegounarias- Global Action Week Coordinator Tel:  +61 2 9565 9134 e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Register locally and receive your Global Action Week resource pack Click here for registration
• Download the online resources for your school to become involved.
• Register to be a part of the Big Story for Global Action Week internationally. Click here for information and registration
• Raise awareness. Contact schools, groups, organisations, or anyone you think would be interested and want to influence to be part of Global Action Week and the Big Story in support of educating girls and women.
• If your school cannot participate in Global Action Week 2011 during class time, you can still take part, with an extra-circular group or society.

We want to ensure Australian union members play a strong role in women and girls’ access to free quality public education everywhere.