This topic has been on the TUDCN agenda for quite a while and results from previous processes that lead to the elaboration of the Trade union Principles and guidelines on Development Effectiveness and the Trade Union Development Effectiveness Profile – TUDEP.
The issue of “measuring progress” towards development objectives is high on the international development agenda. Concrete examples were brought by the ILO and OECD-Development Centre representatives, focusing respectively on OECD experiences in measuring development and well-being index, and ILO indicators on decent work.
The following working sessions of the seminar aimed more specifically at exploring new ways of strengthening the capacity of trade unions to assess their contribution to development processes, addressing existing monitoring and evaluation practices.
The difficulties for trade unions to undertake such a challenge are important, linked to the very complex nature of the trade union work in development: i.e. interaction with different stakeholders, unpredictable political and power dynamics, benefits beyond target groups etc.
Based on the debates and inputs received during the seminar the TUDCN will formulate criteria and principles for a shared Trade Union Framework on Monitoring and Evaluation. The first draft will be circulated by the end of August, representing an initial step, to be further developed also in cooperation with the regional and national organisations in the South.
By Paola Simonetti
