Steve Sinnott international solidarity award

Districts and branches are invited to submit nominations for the Steve Sinnott International Solidarity Award, which gives recognition to members who have made exemplary contributions to their school, branch or district’s work on international solidarity.

Aims of award

The Award seeks to foster and celebrate significant and exemplary contributions to international solidarity at branch/district/school level. The Award aims to:

develop effective Union/school leadership and a whole branch/district/school approach to international solidarity;
recognise the international solidarity work of lay members on an ongoing basis;
acknowledge and celebrate existing good practice in international solidarity work at branch/district/school level;
build on existing international solidarity work in branches, districts and schools;
support and share international solidarity work in the regions and the Nations;
encourage innovation and new developments in international solidarity work in schools and in Union activity;
provide a mechanism for celebrating the work of the Union’s International Solidarity Officers; and
showcase ways in which teachers use the curriculum to promote and encourage pupils to be involved in international solidarity.

The Award will be granted to an individual member or groups of members who have made significant and exemplary contributions to international solidarity in their school or branch/district.

Criteria

All lay members are eligible for the award with the exception of paid officials or staff of the Union and Executive members.
The activities for which the member has been nominated should have occurred in the calendar year preceding the year of the 2026 Annual Conference (e.g. 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026).
Exemplary contributions to a district or branch could include increasing participation and involvement of members, for example through activities related to international solidarity and new branch/district/school events such as World Teachers’ Day, Human Rights’ Day or International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
Exemplary contributions to a school could be evaluated on the basis of the impact on pupils, teachers, and other members of the school community. These may have occurred in conjunction with pre-existing initiatives such as, for example, International Women’s Day or Holocaust Memorial Day or the development of school international solidarity strategies or projects. The contribution should have made a significant impact in reshaping or adding new elements to pre-existing initiatives in order to be considered for the award.

The National Awards Panel will give particular consideration to nominations that demonstrate innovation and initiatives in promoting international solidarity in a school or district/branch.

Deadline for Nominations

Please submit a completed nomination form to [email protected] by close of business on Friday. 8 January 2027.

Judging Panel 2027

The panel for judging the Award comprise the members of the Executive’s International Committee at a meeting to be held in the Spring Term.

2026 joint award winners: Michael Kearney and Shahzia Salim, Rhondda Cynon Taf International Solidarity Officer

Michael Kearney

City of York Primary teacher Michael Kearney was a joint winner of this award for his solidarity with the people of Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in 2022. He accepted the award with “great humility”, saying: “This isn’t mine alone: the NEU Ukraine solidarity network was built by the courage, passion and determination of a small group of trade unionists, people who refused to look away and chose action over silence. That’s what international solidarity looks like.” He added: “If children are suffering, we stand with them, no exceptions. Let it be known the NEU did not stay silent.” Michael made three trips to Ukraine in 2025, visiting schools and bomb sites in often challenging circumstances, returning after one 11-day visit on a Monday morning and going straight to work. He has donated more than £500 and welcomed a refugee into his home who has become a close friend.

Shahzia Salim

Shahzia Salim, Rhondda Cynon Taf International solidarity officer, was recognised for her “outstanding contribution to international solidarity work” with countries including Sudan, Cuba and Palestine. She has taken a leading role in organising fundraisers and has worked with groups such as Parents and Teachers for Palestine. Shahzia was described as “a living testament to the meaning and practice of international solidarity”. During Ramadan, she set a target of raising £15,000 to provide eco-homes for people in Gaza, which was achieved. “Just in the month of Ramadan, the whole team – friends, family and colleagues – helped so many people,” she said. “We must educate future generations, and the children in my lessons always get a lesson on international solidarity. We must all do the same to fight against the injustices around the world.”