ETUCE Welcomes Jelmer Evers as New European Director
Published:
The European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jelmer Evers as our new European Director, starting January 1st. Jelmer Evers brings a wealth of experience as a leading advocate for teachers' rights and professional standards, having previously served as Executive Director of the General Education Association (AOb) in the Netherlands since 2019.
During his time at AOb, Jelmer was instrumental in improving the working conditions of teachers, particularly in secondary education. He promoted the professional image and standards for educators. Under his leadership, AOb laid strong foundations for collective agreements, professional competence, and standards that put teachers at the forefront of shaping their own profession. Jelmer describes the AOb as "a powerful association by and for members, an organisation with expertise and heart for the cause, leading in education policy." He is proud of the foundations built at AOb and looks forward to continuing this momentum in his new role.
"We face major challenges in education worldwide," Jelmer says, emphasizing the need for international cooperation in tackling these issues. His passion for international collaboration, shaped during his earlier work with Education International (EI), aligns perfectly with ETUCE's commitment to strengthening the voice of teachers across Europe and beyond. "The position at ETUCE is an opportunity I cannot pass up," he adds, noting the importance of addressing global education challenges together.
Jelmer Evers is also an advocate for empowering teachers, as evidenced by his books 'The Alternative' (2013) and 'Flip the System' (2015), which call for a more democratic and teacher-led approach to education. "Instead of being implementers, teachers should take back control of education themselves," Jelmer asserts, emphasizing the role of strong teaching unions in driving meaningful change. This vision will guide his work at ETUCE as he continues to promote a human, democratic approach to education and uphold the values that lie at the heart of the teaching profession.
As we welcome Jelmer Evers to ETUCE, we look forward to embarking on a new chapter of advocating for teachers' rights, professional autonomy, and quality education throughout Europe. His deep commitment to improving education and empowering teachers will be invaluable as we face the challenges ahead, together.