The Education and Solidarity Network has entered a new phase of development, following the board meeting in December 2009 (the minutes of which were circulated to you) and the appointment of the managing director Thierry Weishaupt in February 2010.

To clarify the Network’s stance and mandate, a manifesto was written and is attached to this newsletter.

The website has also been completely redeveloped into a tool that can be used fully by all Network stakeholders. Changes and additions include:

• A ‘Campaigns’ section, dedicated to the Network’s current campaigns, its members and partners, and designed  as a platform for sharing information and tools.
• A ‘News’ section, where you can learn about the latest developments in the areas of solidarity-based social protection and health in the educational world.
• A more developed ‘Resources’ section, allowing stakeholders and partners to access a wealth of information, references and tools for their work.
• An area exclusively for Network members to access and share resources relating to their projects.
  
  

Finally, we regularly report on new developments made in every area of the Network’s work. You will find a brief summary of two projects in this newsletter.

We are of course relying on your active participation, as protagonists of the world of education and social protection, in order to strengthen these activities and to contribute new ideas and projects to the Education and Solidarity Network!

SETTING THE WHEELS IN MOTION FOR THE LAUNCH OF A MUTUAL SOCIETY IN BURKINA FASO

The Burkinabé government, with the support of the ILO and the key stakeholders of the social protection sector, wishes to set up a national health insurance system. The Network, in close collaboration with the local authorities, and as a means of establishing a pilot scheme to trial the overall project, committed to supporting the creation of a mutual society for all teaching professionals of Burkina Faso.

A steering committee was established, in the presence of government representatives, management of the social security system and mutual societies, while 3 Burkinabé teachers will be made available for 18 months to oversee the project.

The launch of the steering committee is scheduled for 1 September 2010.

FIRST MISSION TO AND FIRST STEPS TOWARDS COOPERATION WITH CHINA

At the invitation of the University of Wuhan, the Network carried out its first mission to China, led by MGEN president Thierry Beaudet. At a key time for the creation of a universal social protection system in China, this mission allowed the ministry of human resources and social security to learn about the main principles of solidarity-based social protection and the role of mutual societies, learning from the French model. Discussions also took place with the universities of Beijing and Wuhan.

• Two main areas emerged from discussions, that could be developed in coming months:
  the development of exchanges of information, experiences and training modules relating to  solidarity-based social protection and healthcare with universities and ministries.
• a study on the possibility of piloting a top-up health insurance scheme with the University of Wuhan, with further possibilities of open cooperation with Beijing.