Development for a decent world - trade unions in Busan

With almost 40 delegates, the presence of trade unions at the HLF4 in Busan is by itself a statement of interest and commitment to the international processes on development effectiveness. During the High Level Forum as well as the preceding Busan Civil Society Forum the trade unions will attend and host a number of events, sharing their vision for a more just and equitable world.

Trade unions in Busan

The trade union delegation to the Busan Civil Society Forum and 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness lists almost 40 trade unionists from 25 different countries – from Argentina to South Korea. The unionists will take part in the programme of the BCSF (26-28 November), followed by the HLF4 (29th November – 1st December).

At the BCSF, the ITUC will host a workshop: “Development for a Decent World”, focused on the preparation of the trade union delegation to HLF4. At the HLF4, in cooperation with LO-FTF and EATUC, ITUC will host a debate on the role of Social Dialogue in development cooperation, built upon the best practice of a trade union-led programme strengthening the Social Dialogue structures in East Africa as a contribution to the democratic ownership debate (see below).

Trade union representation will be also present at the high-level debates. Wellington Chibebe, the Deputy Secretary General of the ITUC will speak at the Thematic Session on the Rights-Based Approaches on the first day of the HLF4. Jan Dereymaeker, coordinator of the TUDCN will be answering press questions at the joint BetterAid press conference on November 28th, the 3rd day of the BCSF.

From Accra to Busan

But the trade union contribution to both events does not start only now. Trade unions have been active in the international processes on aid and development effectiveness for years. Represented by the Trade Union Development Cooperation Network (TUDCN), they joined other civil society organisations in the BetterAid platform during the preparations to the 3rd High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Accra (2008). Together with other BetterAid members, trade unions have participated in the meetings of the Working Party on Aid Effectiveness of OECD and commenting on the subsequent versions of the draft Busan Outcome Document. Thanks to this work, trade unions have been increasingly recognized as development actors both by the OECD and other stakeholders. Also the Decent Work Agenda has found its place in the proposed outcome documents for the first time since the process on aid and development effectiveness started after the Monterrey Summit (2002).

Development effectiveness is defined by trade unions as the generation of positive social outcomes in terms of decent work, social protection, social dialogue, respect for human and trade union rights, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and the enjoyment of decent livelihoods and well-being by all. This rights based approach will be one of the key issues that trade unions and civil society organisations will bring to Busan.

What does ITUC expect from Busan?

What the ITUC expects of the High Level Forum in Busan is to address the fundamental challenges of development: the development outcomes in terms of respect and promotion of human rights; the unbalanced international relations and policy coherence, the promotion of inclusive economic and social policies to combat inequality; the shared responsibilities of the emerging donors such as China, Brazil and Mexico; the growing political importance of South-South cooperation as an alternative to the traditional donor driven development cooperation approaches as well as the possible contribution of the private sector to sustainable and inclusive development.

The trade union movement stresses as well the importance of social dialogue and the contribution of representative social partners for shaping reliable and socially owned sustainable development strategies. Trade unions also share the concerns of the broader civil society about the shrinking space for policy dialogue and civil society organisations activities and calls for the promotion and implementation of an enabling environment for CSOs in development.

The trade union perspective on development effectiveness has been presented in the four principal documents (see below).

Key trade union documents to Busan:

Trade union events in Busan:

Development for a Decent World - trade union preparatory meeting for the HLF4

Workshop at the Busan Civil Society Forum

The meeting will focus on the preparation of the trade union delegation to the HLF4 through a detailed briefing, identifying key advocacy issues and strategizing for an effective participation in the HLF4 sessions.

Start at 2pm on 26th November 2011 in room 180 of the Grand Hotel Haeundae, Busan. Registration to the BCSF is required.

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Social Dialogue in East Africa – for Decent Work and democratic ownership

Debate in the Knowledge and Innovation Space of the 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness

Building upon best practice of the programme in East Africa, the debate will explore the role of Social Dialogue in addressing challenges of economic and social development as well as effective means of supporting this model of democratic ownership in partner countries.

Speakers:

  • Wellington Chibebe, Deputy General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
  • Caroline Khamati Mugalla, East African Trade Union Confederation (EATUC)
  • Henrik Als, LO-FTF Council, Denmark

Moderation: Kjeld Jacobsen, Trade Union Conference of Americas (TUCA)

The debate will be supported by an ePoster displayed as a part of the official Knowledge and Innovation Space of the HLF4. Start at 12h30 on 30th November 2011 in room 203 of BEXCO Convention Centre, Busan. Accreditation to the HLF4 is required.