OATUU/ECA/ILO Seminar on Democracy and Popular Participation for African Trade Union Leaders : seminar report

Abstract

The Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the International Labour Organization (ILO) jointly organized a seminar on "Democracy and Popular Participation for African Trade Union Leaders". The objectives of the seminar were to promote the role of civil society in the democratization process in Africa; explore and enhance the particular contributions of workers in the democratization process in Africa; examine the human and trade union rights nexus and promote the development of independent, strong and active trade unions in Africa; enhance relations and cooperation between governments, workers and employers; and foster popular participation and pluralism in the political transition and the democratization process. The seminar provided an important opportunity for the African trade union community to share experiences, identify current and future challenges and priorities for action, and outline practical modalities for coordinating activities, sharing information and networking as related to the concerns of democratization and popular participation in Africa.