During the course of this year, IFWEA regional seminars are being convened. They aim to facilitate discussion on how workers’ education organisations world-wide can respond to globalisation. This article summarises some of the main points to emerge from the Africa seminar held in Cape Town, South Africa and the Asia-Pacific seminar in Manila, the Philippines.

African affiliates debate globalisation

In response to a presentation delivered by John Pape from the International Labour Resource and Information Group (ILRIG), African affiliates debated their perspective on globalisation. John argued that the ideology of globalisation has affected the thinking of labour and has influenced the search for alternatives. He identified shortcomings of the global labour movement in terms of its ability to respond to globalisation, and then addressed how labour should respond. He stressed the need to develop links to other social movements, a gendered approach to defining labour and workers’ struggles, a response to xenophobia and particularly in Africa the HIV/AIDs epidemic. John supported organised labour making more effective usage of information technology, but also addressed critical issues in terms of access and the building of organisation.

A lengthy discussion then took place regarding the role of the nation state. One view was that the nation state is declining in importance, and that this has severe implications for democracy. Others argued that the nation state has not disappeared but has changed its role, implementing economic policies which are in line with the general trends of globalisation. They stressed that there are many myths about globalisation, including that of a free market and movement of people.

Small group discussion generated important details in terms of how the globalisation process has affected labour organisations in Africa, how it has impacted on education, and whether organisations feel they have the capacity to respond. It was generally felt that by networking in the region, organisations could build capacity by sharing education materials, undertaking joint research and workshops, developing funding strategies, conducting joint campaigns and building relationships between NGOs and unions.

IFWEA’s International Study Circle (ISC) project was evaluated as a tool for affiliates to respond to globalisation. There were different opinions regarding the implementation of this project. While the meeting endorsed ISCs as an effective means to exchange experiences on globalisation, some felt that problems of access to technology and literacy in Africa meant that ISCs in their current form were not an appropriate method. They also felt that the current ISC project swallowed up a disproportionate amount of resources in IFWEA, without the end results being clear.

Affiliates in Asia-Pacific plan joint activities

Affiliates in the Asia-Pacific completed an ISC in May 1999. The ISC focused on the effects of globalisation on workers and trade unions in Asia. The Manila seminar evaluated this programme, and made proposals for the future. Facilitators reported that the ISC helped workers understand how their problems were interrelated. They felt very much like "rank-and-file workers relating to the world economy". A greater understanding of the linkages between the formal and informal, organised and unorganised was also established. Workers developed an appreciation of how communications technology could be used to advance workers’ interests. Much of the information gathered served as useful inputs for collective bargaining negotiations.

Facilitators reported that the study circle materials had been used in other education programmes. They also decided to run local study circle sessions in their respective countries, using the ISC materials.

Affiliates were keen to engage in further regional activities and to strengthen regional co-operation. It was decided to set up an Asia-Pacific web site, with a regular on-line newsletter. Plans were made to fundraise for a regional ISC focusing on job security. In addition, an action-orientated ISC on the forthcoming APEC meeting will be convened. The ISC will focus on the agenda of the meeting, its implications for workers and the response of trade unions.

IFWEA’s Asia Co-ordinator, Marlon Quesada commented: "The IFWEA Asia-Pacific seminar facilitated not only the active exchange of ideas but also much learning with regard to globalisation, international study circle methodology, international co-operation and IFWEA-AP actions. Equally important, it was able to forge greater democracy, comradeship and commitment among IFWEA organisations in the region - elements needed in advancing effective workers' education and the collective struggle of the working people."