A virtual consultation hosted by CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
Wednesday 13 June, 2012 at 1 pm UTC/GMT
In an era marked by increasing inequality, economic contraction or jobless growth and high youth unemployment, the fallout of the economic crisis has placed the issue of social protection high on national and global agendas. The existing institutions of global governance have failed to provide a people-centred response to economic crisis, and instead states have privileged private capital over people, for example through the bailout of banks. In such times, social protection policy initiatives that transfer income or assets to the poor to protect against risks to their livelihoods are all the more necessary to realise the rights of the vulnerable.
As well as campaigning for and defending social protection initiatives, in many countries, trade unions have a long history as a major and well-established arena of civic participation, but some unions are closely aligned with political parties, and there has often been competition and divide between trade unions and other civil society forms, and a lack of joint working. Yet, as witnessed by CIVICUS in its Civil Society Watch project and the 2011 State of Civil Society report, trade union leaders can also come under threat from a nexus of political and business interests when they raise politically sensitive questions. Do trade unions and civil society organisations need each other if they are to make a difference in these tough times?This webinar will feature presentations on:
- The aftermath of the economic crisis and the role of trade unions in the renewed call for social protection - Georgios Altintzis, Policy Assistant, Economic and Social Policy Department, International Trade Union Confederation
- Trade unionists under threat: a case study from Colombia – Miguel Puerto, Lawyer, The International Centre for Trade Union Rights
The session is expected to last for 90 minutes, 50 of which will be dedicated to an open discussion during which you are invited to share your experiences and perspectives.
Register here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/232344000.
This consultation is part of a series of weekly webinars which are helping to shape CIVICUS’ new strategic directions. Find out more about the other webinars and the strategic directions process.
