At IFWEA’s last Congress, delegates prioritised education work on globalisation. What is your perspective on how IFWEA should address globalisation?

Globalisation has advanced so rapidly that people are often not capable of grasping the profound changes which have taken place. This is a major threat to democracy and the well-being of the world’s majority. In its education programmes, IFWEA should emphasise the interdependency prevailing today between nations and economies. Being an international organisation devoted to workers’ education, IFWEA could bring globalisation to the different curricula of its affiliates which would also then strengthen links between them.

 

How has the globalisation of your industry changed the IMF’s approach to education?

Globalisation has awakened the IMF to realise the utmost importance of education in the work of all our affiliates, whether they are from the industrialised countries or from the developing world. As our industries are heavily controlled by transnational companies, our affiliates have to understand the international character and operations of these companies. This is necessary if we want to exert influence in these companies.

 

How are IMF education programmes concretely addressing issues concerning globalisation?

The IMF’s new Action Programme devotes a sizeable part to globalisation. The Programme is used as education materials and is being translated into many languages. The education programmes run by our regional offices and our affiliates also tackle the problems of globalisation.

 

IFWEA is running International Study Circles using new information and communication technology. What is your view on how new technology can be used in trade union education?

Having followed the IFWEA project, I think the approach offers some interesting perspectives. However, there are also limitations. Only a minority of trade unionists have access to these new technologies. This will change when the Internet terminal becomes a household appliance. Technology is merely a tool to achieve a particular goal. The underlying theories and practices in trade union education are more important. Educating union members is very different from teaching children. This should be borne in mind.

 

How can IFWEA support the education activities of the IMF?

The IMF has affiliates in nearly one hundred countries in five continents. We are engaged in a common struggle for the benefit of workers. Education is a tool in this struggle. Often though we lack professionalism in our training. This is something that IFWEA could provide. Unfortunately, IFWEA now is too weak to provide any real assistance. Hopefully, this is changing for the better.

Contact David Seligson at: IMF, 54 bis, route des Acacias, Case Postale 1516, CH-1227, Geneva; +41-22-3085050 (phone); +41-22-3085055 (fax); imf@iprolink.ch (e-mail).