Death of a public education champion

Published: 23 February 2015

Alain Mouchoux, "a strongly committed trade union activist" and former ETUCE General Secretary from 1994 to 2002, passed away Sunday morning. As a primary school inspector Alain Mouchoux became an active member of the national school inspector's union (SNIDEN), before being elected in 1982 as National Secretary for Education of the Fédération de l'éducation nationale (FEN). He very quickly got engaged at the international level. His many competencies and human skills led to his nomination as General Secretary of Education International (EI) European region, the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), for a long mandate, from 1994 until 2002. Prior to that he had chaired the Comité syndical francophone de l'éducation et de la formation (CSFEF) gathering francophone education unions.

Shocked by Mouchoux's sudden death, Education International General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen hailed the former ETUCE General Secretary and long-time union activist as a "true public education champion," who after his retirement "continued representing the teachers' movement at the Council of Europe and other levels."

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Claudine and to his children," conveyed van Leeuwen.

As Vice-President of the Conference of international nongovernmental organisations (INGOs) of the Council of Europe until January this year, Mouchoux further remained active as an expert within the "Education and culture" Committee of the INGOs.

In parallel with these trade union activities, he was further involved in the Comité laïque pour l'éducation au développement, now Solidarité laïque, promoting the values of secularism and international solidarity.

"Alain's death was completely unexpected," said ETUCE Director Martin Rømer. "He will be sorely missed by all of us who knew him and worked closely with him throughout the years."

Mouchoux had a long career, both at the French and European levels, made his mark by helping teacher organisations during times of many changes and trade union reorganisation in Europe.

Rømer added that as the "first full-time ETUCE General Secretary", Mouchoux will always be remembered "as an active and committed person".