SOLIDARITY
ONLINE
A programme to promote online inclusion
of trade unions in the developing world
Programme summary
Various countries will be identified for a programme of core training
workshops and supplementary activities organised in developing countries
where there is low-to-non-existent Internet connectivity among internationally
affiliated trade union organisations. It is estimated that around 45 countries
might be served by this programme, 25 of which are in Africa. The programme
targets those organisations affiliated to the ICFTU and to the Sector Union
Bodies – the International Trade Secretariats (ITS) - all of whom are members
of the Global Unions group.
The aims of the programme are as follows:
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to enhance the ability in all national trade union organisations to participate
in international trade union activities online
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to promote, by example, the value of ICT use within the trade union movement
in each country
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to improve understanding of current technological change and associated
firm strategies and to address workplace implications
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to help national trade union organisations understand how they can participate
in the important work of bridging the digital divide:
-
by advocating the development of the ICT capacity of workforces through
vocational training
-
by becoming active participants in relevant government programmes (e.g.
National ICT Councils)
The workshops (3-4 days each depending on local facilities, and number
of participants) would focus on:
-
Internet connectivity
-
the use of the web and e-mail
-
web publishing
-
national and regional networking among unions using the Internet
-
online trade union information sources
-
the role of national trade union organisations in bridging the digital
divide in their own country through
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training services to members
-
advocating IT-related vocational training in collective bargaining
-
awareness of and participation in government initiatives to bridge the
digital divide
Date/Location of core workshops
Following agreement in principle with the national trade union centre(s)
to hold a "Solidarity Online" workshop, the date and location would be
established with them, in conjunction with any local partner organisation.
Core workshop curriculum
The content of the workshops would be planned by the ICFTU in collaboration
with the ITS, the identified consultants/trainers, the national trade union
centre, and any other local and international partners.
Participation in core workshops:
The core workshops are targeted at those organisations involved in international
trade union work. The national centre would take primary responsibility
for identifying participants among their affiliates. Participation should
be planned carefully, bearing in mind that the workshops will be focused
not only on the technical "know how" of using the Internet, but also on
the usefulness of Internet for those involved directly in policy issues,
and in international trade union work. Ideally, each participating organisation
would send at least one "administrative" person (e.g. member of secretarial
staff, or main computer user in an office), and at least one "policy" person
(e.g. international secretary, union education specialist, or researcher).
Once the workshop date is set, the ITS will also be informed who can
then directly propose their own affiliates as participants to the national
centre, or can inform their affiliate in the country concerned of the possibility
of arranging participation by contacting the national centre.
Supplementary activities
Partners in the "Solidarity Online" programmes will know well in advance
of the date and location of the workshop. Representatives of employers,
national ICT initiatives, other DOT Force-recognised partners will then
have time to react, and become involved. Partners could, where possible
and/or necessary, provide equipment and/or extra time for the trainer/consultant
to install PCs and/or Internet connections for workshop participants before
or after the workshops. If more than one organisation is being helped locally,
ICFTU or a local partner could act as intermediary to facilitate the use
of single consultant (i.e. depending on who is paying the consultant for
the core workshop).
Overall co-ordination of this project
provided by Duncan Pruett, ICFTU (duncan.pruett@icftu.org)
