Our international delegations

The NEU, nationally and locally organises delegations to other countries that members can apply to be part of. See here for more information.

Delegation to Calais/Dunkirk to work with refugees (local NEU partnership)

Every year in the Autumn and Spring, our District sends a delegation to Calais or Dunkirk to work with the charity Roots in refugee camps.

This is a beautiful opportunity to do something really helpful and hands-on for refugees who ended up stranded in Northern France on their way to a better life.

Please get in touch with Amy Fletcher: afletcher@morpeth.towerhamlets.sch.uk or Rae Garvin: rachael.garvin@neu.org.uk to be part of the next one!

Delegation to Palestine (national NEU partnership)

From Amy Fletcher, our International Solidarity Officer:

‘The NEU delegation I went on to Palestine in 2022 was a life changing experience.

The links that the NEU have with teachers and their trade unions, NGOs, government ministers, and campaigners and activists meant that we got to meet some of the most inspiring and phenomenal people, who educated us about Palestinian culture, politics and life under illegal occupation.

We visited Jerusalem, the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, Nabih Saleh, Ramallah, the Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, Hebron, and were taken on a walking tour in Jaffa.

Since returning I have done a whole school assembly, created teaching resources, run a human rights club at my school, and helped organise Palestine solidarity in Tower Hamlets.’

Please get in touch with Amy Fletcher: afletcher@morpeth.towerhamlets.sch.uk or Rae Garvin: rachael.garvin@neu.org.uk if you want to know more.

Delegation to Cuba (national NEU partnership)

From the main NEU website:

‘Each year in the October half-term, the union sends a delegation of NEU members to visit Cuba and discover how the country provides free, universal, quality education in the face of the blockade. Delegates fundraise and bring with them material aid in the form of medical supplies, Braille machines, learning materials and sports equipment – all of which are in short supply. 

The delegation includes school visits taking in a range of primary, secondary, music and special educational needs provision and meetings with education colleagues, trade unionists, civil society groups, and community, and women’s organisations.  

Delegates learn about the pressures placed on everyday life by the blockade and also bring back lessons around pedagogy and the priority placed on education by Cuban society.  Information on how to apply for the next NEU delegation to Cuba will be published in early 2026.’

Read the report of the 2024 delegation