This action is a direct response to repeated reports from educators of color who have experienced or witnessed discriminatory treatment during recruitment activities facilitated by Search Associates. Such systemic issues are fundamentally incompatible with AIELOC’s core mission and values, which prioritize equity and justice in international education.
To consider reinstating engagement in the future, AIELOC calls on Search Associates to take the following concrete actions:
Appoint a Qualified Full Time DEIJ Leader:
Recruit and hire a DEIJ leader with proven expertise in anti-racism, inclusion, and equitable hiring practices. This individual must possess the authority to enforce accountability mechanisms across all associates, including the immediate dismissal of personnel who fail to adhere to established DEIJ standards.
Implement a Transparent Grievance Process:
Develop an independent and accessible mechanism for candidates to report incidents of bias, discrimination, or misconduct. This process must ensure guaranteed follow-up, robust accountability measures, and clear consequences for violations.
Partner with Marginalized Voices:
Collaborate meaningfully with individuals from historically underrepresented and resilient communities to review and reform recruitment policies and practices, ensuring they reflect inclusive and anti-oppressive principles, and pay them for their service.
Make Amends for Harm Caused:
Acknowledge and take responsibility for harm experienced by candidates, including issuing refunds and other appropriate remedies for those impacted.
Until these critical steps are fully and demonstrably implemented, AIELOC will maintain its suspension of engagement with Search Associates. We strongly urge all individual members, schools, partners, and allies within the international education community to join us in this stance as a collective commitment to upholding ethical standards.
AIELOC remains steadfast in its dedication to championing just, equitable, and inclusive hiring practices across all recruitment platforms. Should you have concerns regarding harmful practices by other recruitment organizations, we encourage you to contact our team at AIELOC via https://aieloc.org/contact-us/.