2011: General Assembly IV (Paris)

GCE’s 4th General Assembly brought together more than 300 campaigners from GCE’s member coalitions. Hosted by the French Coalition, Solidarité Laïque, the meeting was held in Novotel Tour Eiffel Hotel, Paris, 22nd – 25th February 2011.

Monday 21st February
Prior to the opening of the General Assembly, delegates from GCE gathered at UNESCO where regional member CLADE held a photo exhibition. More can be read about this exhibition on CLADE’s Blog.

Tuesday 22nd February
The Assembly official opened on Tuesday 22nd February with a public conference: “Financing Quality Public Education: A Right for All”. The Right Hon. Gordon Brown MP, Kevin Watkins (Brookings Institute and formerly editor of the UNESCO Global Monitoring Report) and Lynn Murphy (Hewlett Foundation) joined many other distinguished speakers contributing to this one-day event.

In the evening Solidarité Laïque and its partners organised and funded a special private screening of Draw Yourself, by the Director Gilles Porte.

Wednesday 23rd February
The official General Assembly was opened by GCE’s out-going President Kailash Satyarthi. The day included presentations including the Board Report on the 2008-2010 Strategic Plan, GCE’s audited accounts, feedback from the regional meetings, discussions on the 2011 Global Action Week and the future strategic plan.

Solidarité Laïque hosted a gala dinner at Salons du Cercle Républicain, in the heart of Paris. Delegates heard from Monsieur Mouhieddine Cherbib, Président de la Fédération des Tunisiens pour une Citoyenneté des deux Rives (FTCR), who spoke inspirationally about the struggle in Tunisia, and the new emerging movements.

Thursday 24th February
GCE delegates debated the proposed motions to steer the work of GCE for the coming three years.