A number of member organisations have yet to pay their affiliation fees for 2005. Affiliates are reminded that they are unable to participate in any IFWEA events or project activities unless these fees have been paid. If you are unsure of the current fee or the bank account details, please contact anne.webley@ifwea.org.

 

International Trade Union Development Fund

UNISON, the British public services trade union, has issued a call for expressions of interest from organisations who may wish to apply for support from its International Trade Union Development Fund. The fund is open to unions and NGOs working to promote workers’ rights – particularly if working in support of public sector workers. Grants are available for between £1,000 and £25,000 (US$2,000-50,000) for projects lasting no more than one year. Expressions of interest must be submitted before 24 October 2005 to be considered in the current round. Forms and further details are available at www.unison.co.uk/international/itudf.asp, or contact Susan Cueva at s.cueva@unison.co.uk.

 

NGO-UNESCO conference

The NGO-UNESCO Liaison Committee is holding its conference in Paris on 14-16 December 2005, including discussions and workshops on “Education for Sustainable Development, promoting values” and perspectives on 60 years of NGO-UNESCO co-operation, along with more formal business of reports, resolutions, and elections to the Liaison Committee. IFWEA will be represented at the conference. If you wish to join the delegation, please contact anne.webley@ifwea.org. Please note that IFWEA is not able to provide financial assistance with travel or accommodation for this event.

 

New education resources

The Olof Palme International Center has just published Global Respect, a basic course on globalisation and human rights, comprehensively covering questions of poverty and wealth, world trade, globalisation, power and democracy, human rights and the role of the labour movement, complete with educational exercises. The material was first made available in English and Swedish (see www.globalrespekt.nu), but is now available in English as a paperback book, and OPIC recommends readers to use the book as a basis for study circle activity, and to contact IFWEA member organisations for local access to further study. Global Respect is a project organised in partnership with the Swedish Workers’ Educational Association (ABF) and the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO). For further details, contact anna-lena.lodenius@palmecentre.se.

Meanwhile, Ditsela, the South African trade union education centre, has published a new education resource book tackling the heart of labour movement organisation in the era of the global economy – simply, how do we improve our meetings?. Organising successful meetings is beautifully illustrated and packed full of practical tips for union educators. For further information, contact info@ditsela.org.za

Well-timed in advance of the forthcoming international trade discussions due to take place in Hong Kong in December, the ICFTU has produced Getting workers' interests on the WTO agenda - An action guide for trade unionists available on-line at www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991222848&Language=EN. While it is designed to offer immediate guidance in campaigning activity in advance of the Ministerial meetings, it also serves as a useful resource for trade union education.