The proposal for a press release ahead of the Global Week of Action is the result of a joint effort between activists in Cairo (who did most of the work) and myself (Mo; who just suggested some small changes).

Please don't forget to fill in the space marked in RED and to add your short description of your local actions. Feel free to also edit the text any way you feel appropriate.

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GLOBAL WEEK OF ACTION 2009
Reclaim Your Education

 
           
Contact:  YOUR NAME/GROUP NAME                                For Immediate Release
Cell Phone:  OPTIONAL
Email:  YOUR EMAIL and  united.for.education@gmail.com

 
Over the years students have seen tuition rates skyrocket, sending many into debt for years after they have graduated. Recently there has also been an increasing presence of corporations within universities. Converting universities from a place of higher education to a place of business where the students are not seen as anything but the clientele creates an atmosphere which is antithetical to learning. Students, teachers and staff around the world are affected by budget cuts in public education. Our goal is to abolish the corporatization of universities worldwide and to make education affordable for all who wish to access it. Furthermore, we aim to start a public discussion on the role of public education and its importance for democracy. Accessible public education, which should enable people to critically reflect upon their environment and better understand the power structures surrounding them, plays a key role in any democracy.  Therefore this issue does not just concern those directly affected by it, like teachers and students, but society as a whole.

On November 5, 2008 students around the world joined together on a day of action demanding that tuition fees be decreased and the commercialization of education reversed. Students took to the streets, showing one of the greatest combined efforts of working together worldwide.

April 20-29, 2009 will mark the "Reclaim your Education - Global Week of Action"; people concerned about good public education will once again join together internationally and students will fight for their rights in their universities. Planning has been taking place through the forums of the "International Students’ Movement".  Activists gather on web chats to share ideas of ways to protest and to send letters of solidarity to one another. Students from over 60 groups spread across more than 30 countries united to plan this week of action.  They will communicate through online forums, Twitter feeds and will share their photos on Flickr. The groups have planned an international flashmob, to symbolize the situation people are facing in regards to public education. Each group has its own specific aims, but they fight as one against the commercialization of education.
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PUT HERE WHAT YOUR RESPECTIVE GROUP/UNIVERSITY IS PLANNING
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