IFWEA JOURNAL MAY 2001

IFWEA Action Plan 2000 – 2004 keltpalk.gif (1031 bytes)
 

In February, the IFWEA Executive Committee met in Dublin, Ireland for the first time since the IFWEA General Conference held in Helsinki last year. The IFWEA Programmes Team met alongside the Executive and discussed in detail an IFWEA Action Plan for the next four years. The Action Plan is based on workshop discussions and decisions taken in Helsinki. The Action Plan was presented to the Executive Committee and after much discussion was adopted unanimously. Alana Dave, the IFWEA Projects Officer, provides a summary of the Action Plan and encourages affiliates to become involved in the range of activities which IFWEA hopes to initiate. The programme of each of IFWEA’s regions will be fully incorporated into the Action Plan thereby ensuring that all IFWEA’s activities contribute to regional development and growth.

Following the workshops and discussions held at IFWEA’s General Conference in Helsinki, it has been possible to identify several strands of activity which will constitute an IFWEA programme for the next four years. Whilst each strand of activity is relatively autonomous and consists of a distinct set of issues, target group and activities, they are held together by a common theme and purpose: to build the capacity of labour, community-based and adult education organisations to respond to globalisation. This is the main priority of IFWEA and determines the overall objectives of the Action Plan.

The following strands of activity have been identified:

  • Trade Union Education Development: An important grouping of affiliates within IFWEA is the national and international trade union organisations, and NGOs which service the educational needs of trade unions. IFWEA will develop activities which enables these affiliates to share experiences and good practice, and develop ideas on how to integrate issues related to globalisation into trade union education including approach to content, methodology, education materials, funding and building links internationally (see the article “Trade Unions and Globalisation” by Andrew Harvey).
  • Women Workers and Globalisation: Based on the decision to set up an IFWEA’s Women’s Platform, IFWEA will promote activities for those affiliates with women’s education programmes to develop collaboration and common participation in education programmes on globalisation (see article by Saranel Benjamin in Workers’ Education, December 2000).
  • Informal Sector Workers’ Education: IFWEA will develop activities to support the development of workers’ education for workers in informal employment. IFWEA will work closely with other international organisations and networks focusing on the organisation and representation of the informal sector.
  • Migrant Workers and Refugees: IFWEA is currently running an international study circle on “Migrant Workers in the Global Economy”.  The results of the ISC will be evaluated at a seminar in Lisbon in June 2001, and further activities and initiatives planned.
  • Workers’ Rights: IFWEA and its regions will participate in and support the activities of SOLIDAR in building an understanding of the IMF and World Bank, and the global efforts to strengthen and defend workers’ rights.
  • International Study Circle Programme: A thorough external evaluation of the ISC programme will take place to strengthen future ISC activities. IFWEA will also promote activities that build the capacity of affiliates to develop electronic learning (see the article “Whither ISCs?” by Aslak Leesland).

Activities which IFWEA plans to initiate linked to these themes include:

  • International seminars and workshops
  • Regional seminars and workshops
  • International Study Circles implemented either at a global or regional level
  • Exchange of education materials and the development of new materials.

Affiliates interested in particular strands of activity or wanting more information should contact the following members of the Programme Team:

 

email to IFWEA Journal: alana.dave@mcr1.poptel.org.uk