held on 20 October 2006
prepared by Gemma Freedman
Attendance: Polly Jones, Unison; Joni McDougall, GMB; Ruth Blunt, NUT; Beverley Hall, Prospect; Rachel Cashman, NASUWT, David Ayrton, NUJ; Helen Oswald, NUJ; Patrick Styles, CWU; Neil Alldred, NIC (ICTU); and Rob Copeland UCU; Annie Watson (TUC); Gemma Freedman (TUC).
The aim of the seminar was to review the lessons learnt from international development awareness raising amongst the TUC's affiliates during 2003-2006 and look forward to the new funding opportunities that the TUC's Strategic Framework Partnership Arrangement (SFPA) offers.
The first half of the seminar , Chaired by Ruth Blunt, NUT, shared lessons from the SGA and development awareness in general:
Following the presentations, a discussion took place and various points included: the lack of bureaucracy involved in the previous TUC Mini Grants and Mini Learning Fund; how the project should fit into the unions overall international strategy so that outcomes can be followed up; the need to manage expectations of the membership an/or visiting trade unionists; how it is better to do one activity thoroughly than too many.
The second half , chaired by Helen Oswald, NUJ, explored the future of UK trade unions in development, particularly building the capacity of the TUC's affiliates.
§ Gemma Freedman (TUC) gave an introduction to the SFPA, with emphasis on the new International Development Learning Fund (IDLF), Access Civil Society Challenge Fund / Development Awareness Fund and Mini Grants. The aim of the grants is to assist affiliates to build their capacity in development and in particular, the IDLF aims to build TUC affiliated trade union capacity to work on international development, raise development awareness amongst their membership and/or work in partnership with developing country unions.
§ Neil Alldred, (NIC/ICTU) presented on the development awareness initiatives that have taken place in Northern Ireland over the past five years, including their more recent work on Corporate Social Responsibility and a focus on Development Aid and their experience of applying for Funds from DFID's Development Awareness Fund.
§ Annie Watson (TUC), outlined the former Commonwealth Trades Union Council's DFID funded Civil Society Challenge Fund projects funded and made a number of points about applying for this Fund, including the need for:
§ Gemma Freedman then presented a broad procedural outline for how unions can access the IDLF including:
The feedback from the seminar showed a high level of satisfaction with the seminar arrangements, content and clarity and a good level of interest from affiliates in engaging with the IDLF in the near future.
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