The international labour movement is facing serious challenges. Globalisation is demanding new and innovative answers. First and foremost it challenges the international labour education movement.

Our most advanced answer in the area of training is the International Study Circles project. The idea was hatched two years back by trained worker educators across borders. The intention was to utilise new, wonderful, computer technology to allow workers world-wide to communicate using study circle pedagogy. This project is unique and is a challenge to everybody participating.

The International Study Circles has been a great achievement for the international workers’ education movement. We have tested a new means of communication to find out if it is possible to achieve effective learning. If the project gives us positive answers, we will be able to implement the findings in future IFWEA learning programmes.

What should be next on our agenda? What will help build the profile of our organisation? I think it should link to who we are. The IFWEA Constitution Article II states: "The objects and functions of the IFWEA are, on the basis of democratic labour movement, to further free and voluntary educational work, according to the principles of solidarity and cooperation, justice and equality, democracy and freedom." Now, here is a challenging field. I think it is high time we put the spotlight on the learning process, because it symbolises who we are. The way we "further free and voluntary educational work, according to the principles of solidarity and cooperation, justice and equality, democracy and freedom" will show the world our "raison d’etre".

We should relate the pedagogy of the workers’ education movement to the political arena. It is not only a question of what our students learn, but also how the learning takes place. It is our responsibility to create democracy, justice, freedom, solidarity, cooperation and equality in our learning environment. Is it at all possible? Perhaps - although it will demand effort. We need to take upon ourselves the challenge from Brother Seligson. I would like him to develop further in this magazine, his thoughts about a trade union way of learning. We need to discuss this theme, and let it be a visible part of our learning process.

Affiliates are encouraged to contribute to Workers’ Education. Contact Alana Dave, the editor, at: Euro-WEA, GMB College, College Rd, Whalley Range, Manchester, M16 8BP, UK; +44-161-8605952 (phone); +44-161-8811853 (fax); alana.dave@mcr1.poptel.org.uk (e-mail).

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