Session One: Getting Started

Aims

• to help the study circle members to know each other, and be motivated to work in a spirit of understanding and cooperation
• to encourage the study circle members to express themselves freely in a group of people
• to help the members know what is a study circle and how it works
• to help the members know what is the international study circle project and expectations of them from the project
• to introduce the course outline to the members and agree a working programme
• to introduce the study circle members to the members of the other study circles in the project

Activities

1.1 Getting to know each other: a game

1.2 Motivation The study circle members play the game ´Global Detector´ to stimulate awareness about the significance of TNCs and globalisation to our own lives.

1.3 Getting to know the aims of the course The facilitator introduces the aims of the project and explains who is running it. Expectations of the group from the project are discussed and approved. Each study circle member says what he or she hopes to get from the course.

1.4 Planning the Work
Understanding how a study circle works.
Agreement on how this study circle will work.
Planning the work of this study circle, based on the course outline:

• What are the main issues to be considered?
• What are the special interests and needs of our group?
• What experience of TNCs do you already have?
• What time do we have for our studies and how will we use it?
• What will be done between the study circle meetings?
• What resources do we have (e.g. Internet web sites, books, newspapers, pamphlets, journals, videos, cassettes, posters, photographs, trade union researchers, etc.)

1.5 Introducing ourselves to the other study circles in the project
An exercise to produce a lively profile of:

• who we are
• where we live and work, and what work we do
• what organisations we belong to
• what are our expectations of the project

1.6 Summary and evaluation
Study circle members evaluate the session using the guidelines provided.

1.7 Activities before Session 2
Study circle members: choose to work in groups of two or three and begin to research and fill in a questionnaire TNCs in Our Country.

Session Two: What are TNCs?

Aims

• to get to know the other study circles in the project
• to gain a better understanding of what are TNCs and why they are important
• to analyse the impact of TNCs in our own country

Activities

2.1 Getting to know the other study circles in the project
Read and briefly discuss the inputs from the other study circles in the project. Facilitator records the discussion.

2.2 What are TNCs and why are they important?
Study circle members will read four short articles which explain what are TNCs, and the role which they play in the global economy.

2.3 The impact of TNCs in our own country:
Discussion of the questionnaire on TNCs in Our Country
Creative writing by study circle members about examples of the impact of TNCs in your own experience.

2.4 Summary and Evaluation
Study circle members evaluate the session using the guidelines provided.

2.5 Activities before Session 3
Study circle members: read three case studies of TNC activity around the world and critically evaluate them according to guidelines.

Session Three: The strategies of TNCs

Aims

• to consider further the role and impact of TNCs worldwide, through the experiences in other countries of the project
• to begin thinking about what actions can be taken by workers and communities to challenge TNCs

Activities

3.1 The role and impact of TNCs
Read the input from other study circles in the project, and compare the impact of TNCs in the different countries. Facilitator records the discussion.

3.2 How and why TNCs roam the world
A discussion on how and why TNCs roam the world in search of advantages, on their adaptability and mobility, and how they combine their different strategies to make particular impacts on individual countries. Facilitator records the discussion.

3.3 What can we do about TNCs?
Begin to think about possible action to challenge the negative effects of TNCs.
What can governments, trade unions and communities do at local, national and international level? Discussion based on the experiences of the study circle members.

3.4 Summary and Evaluation
Study circle members evaluate Session 3 using the guidelines provided.

3.5 Activities before Session 4
Study circle members: read the 2 case studies about TNCs and Jobs, and TNCs and Public Services. Also think of a local TNC operation that interests you and bring the name and your reasons to Session 4.

Session Four: Finding out about TNCs

Aims

• To see what information exists on companies in our country
• To find out how to evaluate company information and what assistance is available
• To look at how information about TNCs can be exchanged across the world
• To identify contacts and sources of company information
• To consider ways of improving our rights to company information.

Activities

4.1 The Role and Impact of TNCs
Read and discuss the latest input from other study circles in the project. Facilitator records the discussion.

4.2 Finding Out About a Local TNC Operation
Study circle members choose a local TNC operation from the suggestions which have been brought.

• draw up a list of questions you would like to ask about the TNC. You can check this if you wish against a suggested list in the education materials.
• draw up a list of where you can go for this information locally, nationally and internationally. Look for appropriate organisations and Web sites in the Directory from the project´s Web site.
• Divide out the tasks for searching for information.
• Hold a brief discussion on the rights which exist in your country to company information.

4.3 Summary and Evaluation
Study circle members evaluate the session using the guidelines provided.

4.4 Activities before Session 5
Study circle members: Carry out research tasks on a local TNC.

Session Five: Why International Solidarity?

Aims

• To evaluate the findings about information on TNCs
• To foster an awareness of various types of international solidarity
• To encourage in the study circle members an understanding and commitment to the need for international solidarity
• To lay the basis for instilling confidence in the possibilities for international solidarity

Activities

5.1 Finding out about a local TNC operation
Evaluate your findings in the light of: the importance of company information, did you get the information you needed, what were the gaps, how the company information could be used. Finally focus on your rights to company information and how these could be strengthened. Facilitator records the discussion, especially key points on strengthening rights to information.

5.2 Experiences of International Solidarity
Study circle members read and discuss two case studies highlighting different forms of international solidarity. End the discussion by asking: Why is international solidarity important? The facilitator records the discussion.

5.3 Summary and Evaluation
Study circle members evaluate the session using the guidelines provided.

5.4 Activities before Session 6
Study circle members: read the four handouts on building international solidarity and critically evaluate them using the questions as guidelines. Think about TNCs in your locality or country which are having a negative impact on workers or a community. Select one and bring your ideas to Session 6.

Session Six: Options for Dealing with TNCs

Aims

• To acquaint study circle members with more examples of international solidarity
• To draw lessons from experiences of international solidarity about TNCs

Activities

6.1 Why International Solidarity?
Read and discuss the input from other study circles in the project on the importance of international solidarity. Facilitator records the discussion.

6.2 Regulating TNCs
A short presentation by the facilitator on the various types of codes and charters which have been drawn up to regulate TNCs. Can they be used? In the light of the case studies which members have read, discuss:

• the limitations of codes drawn up by companies themselves
• the possibilities for international regulation of TNCs through intergovernmental bodies
• codes which are being drawn up by various non-governmental organisations
• the role that unions and communities can play to monitor codes

Facilitator records key points of the discussion.

6.3 International Solidarity which is effective
From all the discussions and readings so far, study circle members discuss what are the most effective ways for taking action on an international level. Consider the question in relation to trade unions, community activists, and alliances between communities and trade unions.

6.4 Summary and Evaluation
Study circle members evaluate the session using the guidelines provided.

6.5 Activities before Session 7
Study circle members: At the end of Session 6, members choose to work in twos or threes. Each small group chooses one TNC which is having a detrimental effect on a community or workers. Prepare a basic programme of action in response to the TNC, using local alliances and international solidarity, and various tool and methods raised in all the Sessions. Read the copies of all summarised discussions in the course.

Session Seven: Preparing a Strategy

Aims

• to develop skills in planning a programme of action on a TNC
• to consider a strategy aimed at strengthening rights to information
• to develop skills in evaluating strategic options

Activities

7.1 Strengthening rights to information
Read the input from other study circles in the project and discuss a strategy aimed at strengthening rights to information at a national and international level. Facilitator records the discussion.

7.2 Deciding What Strategies Work
Each group presents their proposed programme of action on a TNC in turn. They are encouraged to try to convince the rest of the study circle to adopt their proposal.
The study circle critically discusses each proposal after it is given.
From these discussions, compile general guidelines for building a programme of action against a TNC.

7.3 Summary and Evaluation
Study circle members evaluate the session using the guidelines provided.

7.4 Activities before Session 8
Study circle members: reflect on what you have learnt in the course and what your ideas are for future studies and action on TNCs.

Session Eight: The Way Forward and Evaluation

Aims

• to reflect on the strategies of action produced by all study circles in the project
• to develop a strategy for positive change
• to evaluate the whole course

Activities

8.1 Preparing a programme of action
Read the input from other study circles in the project on their programmes of action towards TNCs. Discussion on the common views and contrasts. Facilitator records the discussion.

8.2 Planning the way forward
Members are asked to bring together all the issues in the course and consider a strategy for positive change. You should:

• list the issues identified
• determine what measures or activities you can undertake to affect positive change in
  • the short-term
  • in the long-term
• determine the resources you will need and where they will come from
• determine the support you will need from other groups or organisations
• decide what skills/methods you will use that you have developed in the international study circles project.

8.3 Evaluation of the course
Study circle members fill in the form provided, and discuss their overall impressions of the course. The facilitator records the discussion.

8.4 Final Activities
Facilitator: puts on the Internet a national report from the study circle.