Given proper time finding interested and qualified participants should not be a problem. In our case the lack of time was disturbing. There was no time to visit trade union or their meetings (usually planned well in advance) to discuss the Project. Nevertheless we were lucky to find eight competent and enthusiastic participants enabling us to do a good job.

It is an advantage if you can find two or three comrades with basic knowledge of the working language (English) and that as many as possible know how to make contact via Internet and e-mail.

Structure of the Course

The structure of the course was very much determined by the time-scale. With only six meetings on the agenda the course has to be very comprehensive indeed. We should have appreciated more information about the trade unions in participating countries as well as more about the TNCs operating in developing countries. The material received was good but not enough. More material, however will require more time and we think that ten sessions could give a better structure of the programme. As already mentioned in the evaluation of Phase One it is crucial for the success of the Project that more time is given for communications between groups and between individual participants. That will suggest a timetable comprising at least 20 weeks or half a year.

Content of the Course

We took the contents to our hearts and found it relevant. It increased our knowledge about the TNCs and gave most interesting information about the trade unions in different countries. Last but not least the course opened up communication roads to quite a number of comrades all over the world! That in turn has contributed to a better understanding of international problems. As an aperitif the course has been splendid, we are all waiting for the next dish on the menu, i.e. a continuation!

Education Materials

The material presented was of a very good quality. However, the lack of sufficient time made it difficult to take full advantage of the material (please see above). The high quality of the participants of the group made the understanding easier.

Methods

The methods used did function very well. The way of presenting summaries, preparatory notes for the coming meeting and underlining the main theme for each session was appreciated and should also be used in forthcoming projects.

International Communication

The information from other groups mostly described cases and did not very often go down to a thorough analysis of the problems. Some comrades did and thank you for that! However a more comprehensive description of the status of trade unions, their room for actions and their future prospects should have given us a better foundation for the build-up of our suggested platform for future strategy against the TNCs. The lack of analyses from some of our comrades made it difficult to understand what views were taken on the transnational monsters. Even more rare were views on the role of consumers. Our group tried to formulate a platform for the strategy by 'coupling' together trade unions, consumers and their organisations, massmedia and politicians/governments, thereby presenting the most important actors in the play about 'How we take power of our lives!'

The modern information technology is of utmost importance and will make possible a rapid development of international study circles. Its role cannot be over-estimated!

To run international study circles must cause some language problems. It is therefore recommended that in each participating country a translation service be established. Our group took care of the problem, but we understand that other parties may face problems.

The Outcome and the Future

It is an absolutely fascinating experience to take part in an international project of this kind and we all hope for a continuation. We believe that our group has been able to give away information etc. to other groups and that our comrades have found it interesting to read. We have certainly enjoyed all information coming in from comrades all over the world.

When staring a continuation of the course (the issue is far from exhausted) the following views may come in handy:

• The time-table should be extended up to at least 20 weeks or half a year
• The material should give comprehensive information about the trade unions in each participating country, their status, and room for actions and their future prospects.
• Such information is appreciated also from other interesting countries
• The course should include information about the consumers and their organisations bearing in mind that every member of a trade union is also a consumer!
• Translation of the pre-produced material must be granted
• The number of 'cases' should increase. They give excellent information about the TNCs.
• Participants in need thereof should be granted basic training in handling of a computer. The costs should at least partly be taken by the Project
• Each group should have access to sufficient numbers of computers to allow for 'chat-evenings'

Finally the Swedish group SWE3 wants to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make the Project a success. Please go on! PER ASPERA AD ASTRA!