André BRACONIER was born in Comines (Belgium) on January 17, 1924.
Teacher, National Secretary and then General Secretary of CGSP (“General Public Services Centre” in French) Education from 1962 to 1966.
He became General Secretary of the IFFTU (International Federation of Free Teachers Unions ) in 1966 at the Florence Conference when the teaching profession became recognised by the OECD.
Extremely dynamic individual, it was said that he had a new idea each day.
Untiring traveller.
When he became General Secretary of the SPIE, the organization numbered 300,000 members.


When he died, on 1 January, 1981, the Secretariat represented 6,5000,000 members but, above all, the foundation was laid to form, in the future, the largest federation of teachers, which now has become “Education International”, representing more than 30,000,000 teachers.

This organization helps in the development of democratic organizations for teachers and education workers. It fights racism and discrimination in education and in society, promoting good relations among education workers in all countries.


It represents teachers before international organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) or UNESCO.
For more information: www.ei-ie.org  

At the passing of André BRACONIER, the president of the American Federation of
Teachers, Albert Shanker, became President of the SPIE. The international organization has evolved also thanks to the work of two collaborators at the time, Mr. Fred Van Leeuwen and Mr. Elie Jouen.


Without his professional resolve, intelligence, and vision and the sacrifice made by his family, important organization would not exist today.
“Bright spirit” Robert Urbain, State Minister, Foreign Commerce Minister.
“Statesman of international scale”: André Henry, General Secretary of the FEN (Federation of National Education).
“One of the most representative figure of international unionism”: Edmond Hamon, General Secretary of the CGSP.
His friend and colleague, André HENRY, General Secretary of the powerful FEN, who later became Minister in the 1st government of François MITTERAND, paid him an important tribute.


His actions for democracy and education and his fierce defence of liberties in the world is recognised everywhere, according to the paper LE MONDE in January 1981.
He is also the founder of IFCAD, Training Institute for Managers for Development.
The Institute started on 1 December, 1965, and its mission is to train administrative and economic managers from developing countries.
In its establishment, André BRACONIER was surrounded by personalities such as Henri
SIMONET, Léon TROCLET, Christian d’HOOGH and Roger DE KINDER.
For more information: www.ifcad.be  


He was also the founder of the Centre for the Studies of Problems Facing Active Populations, CEPAC.
His son, Pascal BRACONIER, supports IFCAD and is also the co-founder and administrator of Planet-Finance Belgium. www.planetfinance.be  
Isn’t combining education and micro-finance one of the best ways to reduce poverty, protect democracy and develop a country?

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