In 2011, sustainable development made its way onto the international trade union cooperation agenda

The Institut Belleville conducted ten projects across every continent during 2011, devoting 331,341 euros to them. For the first time, sustainable development became part of its solidarity activities directed at developing and emerging countries.

2011 was the year of Arab revolutions, Fukushima, the worsening of the economic crisis...

"During this time of crisis, upheaval and uncertainty, international trade union cooperation, although modest in relation to the challenges at hand, is more vital than ever," said Marcel Grignard, president of the Institut Belleville and national secretary of the CFDT.

It was against this background that the Institut Belleville pursued its projects on trade union education, corporate social responsibility, migrant workers, etc., in 2011. The aim of the institute’s actions continues to be to defend workers’ rights and to strengthen free and independent trade unionism throughout the world.

The projects conducted in 2011 included:

  • Supporting the "just transition" in countries vulnerable to climate change. The Institut Belleville is involved in a project on the "just transition" with the International Trade Union Confederation. The aim is to promote policy decisions on climate change that take on board the social dimension and a development model that saves or creates jobs. It is thanks to this action that trade unionists from countries such as Sierra Leone were able to take part in the negotiations on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
  • Promoting the unionisation of informal economy workers. The Institut Belleville, in partnership with Fedina (Indian NGO), organised an experience and practice sharing seminar in India for Indian agricultural workers, with the support of the CFDT’s agri-food federation and the IUF’s regional organisation for Latin America.
  • Supporting migrant workers. The Institut Belleville and the International Labour Office in Dakar have put together a guide on migrant workers’ rights. The aim is to inform these workers about their rights and to help them fight against discrimination. The guide will be published in the coming weeks.

Download the 2011 activity report

CFDT Press Contact: Isabelle Poret / Damien Cerqueus / +33 1 42 03 80 12 / [email protected]