ISC - Project 3 / REPORT OF MANILA EVALUATION SEMINAR

International Study Circles
Asia ISC Project
January 1999 - May 1999

ASIA-PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL STUDY CIRCLE
REPORT OF EVALUATION SEMINAR
Western Philippine Plaza Hotel, Manila 28-31 July 1999

Opening Activities

The International Study Circle Method of Workers' Education

An Overview of the International Study Circle Pilot Project In Asia

Evaluation of the ISC Pilot Project

ISC Materials

ISC Process

ISC Facilitators

Lessons from the ISC

List of Participants

Introduction of Participating Organizations

29 July (Day 1)

Opening Activities

The seminar officially started at 9:30 AM with Mylene Hega (LEARN-Philippines) as the Day 1 facilitator. She introduced Marlon Quesada (IFWEA-AP Coordinator) for the welcome address. Marlon gave an overview of the "International Study Circles Development Project" and outlined the objectives of the three-day seminar (see Annex 1). He also made mention of the funding and other support provided by the British Lottery National Charities Board, WEA-UK, Olof Palme International Center of Sweden, TUTA, IMF-SEO, Philippine Plaza Hotel Union-NUWHRAIN, NLI and LEARN.

A brief self-introduction of the participants ensued (see Annex 2) before Mylene ran through the three-day program schedule and practical matters.

Elizabeth Tang (HKCTU-Hong Kong) gave a short presentation on IFWEA citing some basic information about the organization. Marlon informed the group that Elizabeth is one of the two alternates together with KC Choudhary (IAEA-India) to the IFWEA Executive Committee for the Asia and Pacific region. He also provided some updates on IFWEA developments activities including its forthcoming General Conference in Helsinki in the year 2000. Marlon outlined the requirements for membership application to IFWEA as inquired upon by Hemasari (LWG-Indonesia).

The International Study Circle Method of Workers' Education

After the short break, Tony Salvador (NLI-Philippines) gave an input on the international study circle (ISC) method (see Annex 3).

Using the overhead projector and some illustrations, he summarized the ISC concept and procedures. He also elaborated the important roles in the ISCs -- facilitator, participants, translator, moderator and webmaster. Marlon helped illustrate the ISC implementation cycle which begins with the study circle group session.

At one point, Hemasari said that her organization LWG in Indonesia used the IFWEA materials and ISC study guide on globalization which were posted in the website in their own study circles even if they were not participants to the ISC project.

An Overview of the International Study Circle Pilot Project In Asia

Since there was still enough time in the morning, the group decided to proceed to the presentation of the "ISC Pilot Project in Asia." Marlon gave an overview of the said project tracing its beginnings, outlining its objective/activities and presenting its outputs (see Annex 4).

In the open forum, Stuart Howard (ITF-London) asked if the homogenous character of the participating organizations was an important factor in ensuring the success of the project. Musadiq Sanwal (PILER-Pakistan) replied that after their 6th session, the Pakistani participants realized that the ISC would be more effective if it was sector-based. Marlon agreed. Especially, he said, if the participating workers are closely linked with each other -- like for instance in the same transnational corporations (Nestle, Coca-Cola, etc.). Don Sutherland (TUTA-Australia) also thinks that there is a strong potential for single unions as target participants.

Marlon expressed that the effectiveness of the project would also largely depend on the issue or subject matter and the target participants. He added that the participating groups or countries need not really have to be many. It is actually easier to facilitate a small number of study groups.

Susan Cueva (ITF-Manila) raised the issue concerning the number of participating workers in the project and the multiplier effect it would generate. Tony replied that the there was an agreement to deliberately limit the number of participants in the study groups in order to get the maximum participation of each participating worker. Marlon added that the multiplier effect could be realized if the study group participants would be able to echo or share their learnings to their colleagues.

Susan also commented that the ITF would look into the possibility of applying this education method among the seafarers. But she expressed the mobile character of the seafaring profession as a potential problem in sustaining the process.

Don raised the concern that the interaction between the ISC groups in different countries is limited to the facilitators. He is suggesting to look into possibilities as to how a greater number of participants from one country could interact with those in other countries. Don also stressed that there is a need for participating workers to make new meanings in their involvement in the education process.

Arunasalam (IMF-SEO) noted the importance of collating, analyzing and summarizing information gathered from the all study circles. This could be a powerful tool of the workers in the future.

Introduction of Participating Organizations

After lunch, each group was requested to present a brief presentation about their organization. Basically to look for ways on which we would be able to learn about their organization.

Evaluation of the ISC Pilot Project

After a 20-minute break, the group convened again at 4:40 PM. Mylene presented the summary of the evaluation reports of the ISC participants:

ISC Materials

Generally, the study circle materials were informative, concise and well focused. It was simply written and easily understandable for most of the participants. Likewise, it was very useful for the facilitators in organizing the discussions of the study groups. And some of these materials were in fact used as references of the participating organizations in their respective education programs.

However, some of the participants felt that there were very few case studies presented as examples. According to KLSI, some of the materials were not reflective of the situation in Korea.

As a recommendation, the identification and development of the education materials should actively involve the participating groups.

ISC Process

Language remained to be the primary problem. Translating the education materials and the session reports from English to the national language and vice-versa proved to be too tedious for the facilitators and translators especially that some of the texts submitted were too long. And because of the language problem it was somehow irrelevant for most participants to visit or take a look at the website.

The late submission of session reports affected the processes of the study groups. This made it impossible for some groups to comment on the outcome of the sessions of other groups thus leading to halt in interaction.

Holding the "usual" study circle session sometimes tend to make the process monotonous and boring. In order to make the process more lively and creative, it was suggested that the study groups use visual presentations, invite resource persons and employ other useful education materials.

The "interaction" was basically confined between the facilitators of the different study groups. There should be ways to facilitate contacts between the participants -- e-mail, fax, postage, etc. Posting of individual or group pictures of the ISC participants in the website would somehow create connections between the groups.

ISC Facilitators

There was great difficulty in organizing the participants especially in finding their common time availability. There was also insufficient time for doing the translations of the reports and comments and in preparing for the actual study sessions. This is basically because most of the facilitators were also tied up with work in their respective organizations - for example the upsurge of strikes in Korea, collective bargaining in Australia and the peace issue in India and Pakistan. The designation of a co-facilitator in each study group is recommended.

Lessons from the ISC

Most participants expressed that the ISC experience made them realize that the situations of workers in different countries were interrelated. They felt very much like "rank-and-file workers relating to the world economy." Much had been learned about globalization and its similar and varying effects to workers in Asia. A greater understanding on the linkages between the formal and informal, organized and unorganized workers was established. Much of the information gathered served as useful inputs to collective bargaining negotiations as well as the strategies and tactics of the participants' trade unions.

Another effect of the project was the workers' appreciation of the role and potential power of technological development and the internet in advancing workers' interests worldwide.

The gains from the ISC method could be maximized if the participants would be able to echo or share the lessons to their trade unions and co-workers. It was recommended to maintain the connections among ISC participants and look into the possibility of establishing plant level trade union linkages or sub-regional groupings.

After the presentation of the evaluation reports, an open forum took place. Stuart wondered if there were big debates and disagreements and if yes how it affected the ISC process. Musadiq replied that there were no big debates on the issues discussed because most countries are experiencing the same situation and basically the process was generally a description on how globalization and its effects are unfolding in the participating countries. Furthermore, he added, the ISC course curriculum was not consciously designed to stimulate active debates and consensus building. Marlon expressed that in the future, an ISC course could be directed in discussing and arguing controversial issues in the region such as the social clause for instance. Arunasalam, however, said that while the internet facilitates the exchange of lots of information, consensus-building is still something that may be easier to do if the participants are physically together in the discussion instead of merely facing computer screens.

Stuart asked the facilitators about the concrete benefits the workers derived from the ISC. Tony informed the group that some middle management of the participating workers were somehow

Additional recommendations on the project and on how to improve the ISC method were also recorded:

If possible, a page in IFWEA website could be set-up so that the ISC participants in Asia and Pacific could still continue their exchange of views and opinions on globalization even if the project had already ended.

Organizing activities in between the study circle sessions could also generate greater interest among the participants.

Creativity in transmitting knowledge could also be done through the sending of a political cartoon or a big headline in one's major daily newspaper related to globalization instead of merely sending text information.

Reports to be submitted should be as brief as possible and greater discipline on the focus of the discussions should be instituted. The facilitator should make sure to highlight the important things to discuss in the study session and leave out the unimportant ones.

The word "globalisation" should be defined clearly. Some of the technological developments which brought about globalisation have in fact been beneficial to many people and nations. What is bad is the capitalist (neo-liberal) form of globalisation where transnational corporations and their instruments like the IMF and the World Bank exploits workers and the marginalised sectors of the world.

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Name Organisation

YOON, HYOWON Korea Labour and Society Institute (KLSI)

HEMASARI Labour Working Group (LWG-Indonesia)

YAYAN KOMARA Labour Working Group (LWG-Indonesia)

DON SUTHERLAND Trade Union Training Australia (TUTA)

MUSADIQ SANWAL Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER)

ELIZABETH TANG Hong Kong Confederation of trade Unions (HKCTU)

KC CHOUDHARY Indian Adult Education Association (IAEA)

REGGIE AQUINO Labor Education and Research Network (LEARN-Philippines)

MYLENE HEGA Labor Education and Research Network (LEARN-Philippines)

TERESITA BORGONOS Labor Education and Research Network (LEARN-Philippines)

TONY SALVADOR Network of Labor Institutions (NLI-Philippines)

RAISSA JAJURIE Network of Labor Institutions (NLI-Philippines)

ROQUIETO ARPAFO Network of Labor Institutions (NLI-Philippines)

ICASIANA LUZONG-DE GALA Network of Labor Institutions (NLI-Philippines)

ARUNASALAM .P International Metalworkers Federation (IMF-Southeast Asia Office)

SUSAN CUEVA International Transportworkers Federation (ITF-Philippine Flag of Convenience Campaign Office)

STUART HOWARD International Transportworkers Federation (ITF)

APOLINAR TOLENTINO, JR. International Federation of Building and Wood Workers (IFBWW-IPAPO)

AMBET YUSON International Federation of Building and Wood Workers (IFBWW-IPAPO)

MARLON QUESADA International Federation of Workers' Education Associations (IFWEA)

INTRODUCTION OF PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU)

Elizabeth Tang introduced the HKCTU as an independent trade union confederation formed in 1990. Traditionally, trade unions in Hong Kong are dominated by political parties. HKCTU's membership comes from the service sector such as teachers, those in the social service and transport workers. The current issues affecting the labor sector have renewed workers' interest in unions. HKCTU has expanded its membership in the last few months.

HKCTU uses the study circle method in most of their education programs and activities.

Labor Education and Research network (LEARN)

LEARN was introduced by its Executive Director, Marlon Quesada. It was founded in 1986 by independent trade union leaders at a time when the Philippines was adjusting to its "formal democracy" immediately after the ouster of the Marcos dictatorial regime. LEARN was organized in order to develop an alternative workers' and political education programs for trade unions.

LEARN's mission is to help strengthen trade unions and other forms of labor organizations in the Philippines through education, research, publication and networking activities. Presently, it has 54 "partner" trade unions and workers' organizations.

Trade Union Training Australia (TUTA)

Don Sutherland said that the Trade Union Training Australia (TUTA) is part of the Australian Confederation of Trade Union (ACTU). TUTA conducts various trainings on union organizing and long courses which develops trade union skills. Recently, TUTA launched a new education and training program for union organizers -- this takes about 80% of TUTA's work. More and more, education and organizing are becoming more central to trade union activities in Australia. Australian trade unionists are also sent to other countries for exchange programs and exposures in other styles of union organizing.

Korea Labour and Society Institute (KLSI)

Yoon, Hyowon of KLSI gave a backgrounder on his organization. KLSI originated from the Korea Labour Education Association (KLEA) -- which was formed in 1986 before the renown 1987 workers' struggle in Korea. In 1995, KLEA became the KLSI. KLSI focuses on workers' education and research work and is also publishing books and a monthly magazine. It is working closely with the Korean Labour and Society Institute (KCTU).

Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER)

PILER was introduced by Musadiq Sanwal. It was organized in 1981 at the height of the military dictatorship in Pakistan. PILER started with education courses for workers in Karachi -- an industrial and workers' city in Pakistan. In 1985 it also established centers for working children especially that there are many working children in Karachi. Community-based labor organizations (CBLOs) are set-up by PILER in workers' communities as a strategy in organizing workers in nearby factories and workplaces. PILER also does research, publication, and advocacy work.

Network of Labor Institutions (NLI)

According to Tony Salvador, NLI has four affiliates in four major regions in the Philippines. It is led by the lawyer organization called SALIGAN (Alternative Legal Assistance Center). SALIGAN works in four sectors -- labor, peasant, urban poor and women. There is also a new program introduced focusing o local governance. SALIGAN's work include litigation, para-legal formation, legal literacy, research, publication and policy reform.

International Metalworkers Federation (IMF-Southeast Asia Office)

The IMF was introduced by Arunasalam P of its Southeast Asia Office. Its headquarter is in Geneva, Switzerland and has around 22 million members worldwide. There are millions of metal workers who are not protected in work. The IMF goal is to provide protection to these workers through organizing and collective bargaining. There are two major teams inside the IMF organization: 1) organizing team -- which is involved in organizing the unorganized and development of regional structures; and, 2) industrial policy team -- which focuses on health and safety in workplaces, environmental issues, etc.

IMF regional offices are found in Johannesberg (for south African region), Budapest for Europe), New Delhi (for south Asia), Tokyo (for east Asia) and Malaysia (for southeast Asia).

International Federation of Building and Wood Workers (IFBWW)

Ambet Yuson introduced the IFBWW. It is the international trade secretariat (ITS) for workers in the forestry, construction, building and wood industries. It has 13 million members in belonging to 243 organizations in 113 countries. In the Philippines, there are five IFBWW affiliates.

The Filipino workers have been adversely affected by globalization. In 1995, IFBWW started a project in the Philippines to organize the construction workers especially those on a project basis.

IFBWW also does a lot of education work both among the formal and informal labor sectors.

Labor Working Group (LWG)

The LWG was introduced by Hemasari. It was established in 1997 but its origins could be traced to the Working Group Community Organization (WGCO) founded in 1985. LWG does education and organizing work among workers. Presently it is playing a very important role in establishing and strengthening trade unions in 8 provinces around Indonesia.

International Transportworkers Federation (ITF)

The ITF was presented by both Susan Cueva and Stuart Howard. Susan introduced the ITF-Flag of Convenience Philippines Office (ITF-FOC) which was set up in November 1998. The ITF-FOC provides services to the unorganized seafarers in the Philippines. It also does advocacy and campaign work directed towards the protection and welfare of Filipino seafarers.

Stuart introduced the ITF civil aviation industry and initiatives of the ITF on education work. ITF would want to do more of the strategic education work including the use of the information technology as a tool in workers' education.