About Us
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Within the concept of a Global Labour University a network of trade unionists, researchers and ILO (International Labour Organisation) experts will be created to develop and deliver high-level qualification programmes including one year Masters Courses on "Trade Unions, Sustainable Development, Social Justice, International Labour Standards, Economic Policies and Global Institutions". It is a new approach to strengthen the intellectual and strategic capacity of workers organisations and to establish much stronger working relationships between trade unions, the ILO, and the scientific community. It will strengthen trade union capacity and competence to promote the values of the ILO's "Decent Work" agenda and enable workers organisations to engage more effectively in social dialogue on social and economic policy issues like employment, social protection, and the implementation of international labour standards.
The Masters programmes will support trade unions to substantially improve their intellectual profile by building a channel for the development of qualified trade union leaders as well as supporting the recruitment of younger experts. The global network will provide a unique possibility of research and policy development in a truly multicultural and multiregional environment. The curriculum of a pilot Masters course was developed in 2003/04, starting in Germany in 2004/05, followed by Masters courses in Africa (South Africa 2007) and Latin America (Brazil 2008). In the following years the programme will be disseminated to other universities in Asia and North America. Whenever possible, students from all regions will be represented in the courses. Global workshops, conferences, publications and internet working groups, will facilitate genuine global dialogue and sustainable international networks.
Gender issues will be given high priority in the curriculum. Strong women representation at the courses will ensure that the gender perspective becomes an integrated part of the discussion processes and research activities.
The governance structure of the Global Labour University network will be based on partnership between the ILO, the national and international trade union movement, and the partner universities.