In this article, IFWEA’s Latin American Co-ordinator José Marcos-Sanchez, outlines the need for training programmes in Latin America which enskill trade union members to use new technology.

New technology is bringing about major changes in education, and is providing the trade union movement with new opportunities. Distance-learning has existed for many years, but the Internet has recently given it a new lease of life. It has revolutionised communications by reducing distances which separate people, and by bringing the individuals and institutions in our globalised world closer together.

It is not possible to respond to the challenges facing trade unions simply on a country-by-country basis. Global trade union action is also necessary, but for that we need a permanent, efficient, low-cost communications system like E-mail. Yet regular communication between Latin American trade unions is virtually non-existent.

Differential access to technology

Trade unions in the developed world are more aware of the key role that the Internet plays in trade union action - from international campaigns to training courses. Through their Home Pages, they are also able to establish close links between members and the societies in which they live.

By contrast, few trade unions in Latin America are on the Internet. There are three reasons for this: firstly, financial constraints prevent them from purchasing the necessary equipment; secondly, they do not properly understand the benefits of being on the Internet, and therefore it is not one of their top priorities; and thirdly, even if they did have the equipment, they would not know what to do with it. We therefore have to put enormous effort into training Latin American trade unionists in how to use the Internet and develop its potential.

Towards a telematics school for trade unions

The IFWEA Latin American Co-ordinator has begun to draw up a list of contacts with a view to establishing a Latin American Trade Union Telematics School (SINDICALNET), and in this way encourage trade unions in our region to use the Internet. The idea is still at the design stage. The aim of the School will be to train union members and leaders in the region in how to use the technology, and in such a way that they will be able to pass on the training in their own countries. The training package, which is to be delivered at a variety of levels, will focus on networking, the use of newsgroups and the design of individual websites.

To achieve this, we will need to design an Internet-based distance-learning methodology. It is important not only to reach the maximum number of participants, but also to combine training with exchanges and assessments involving the ad hoc tutors appointed for each of the countries concerned.

Attempts have already been made to contact the regional committees of International Trade Secretariats (ITSs) with a view to involving their affiliates. We have also spoken directly to the regional co-ordinating committees of those ITS’s affiliated to IFWEA and discussed the pooling of resources.

A number of activities have been taking place in Europe over the last few years. We have been making contact with a view to setting up co-ordinating structures designed to avoid duplication, for example in the production of technical materials.

During the past year, we have been working hard on the international study circle project which was set up at the last IFWEA Congress together with representatives from Africa, the Caribbean, Asia and North America. By the end of this year, we also hope to get the Latin American Trade Union Telematics School (SINDICALNET) project off the ground.