Global Labour University celebrates 20 years of being a unique learning space for trade unionists

Yet, the Global Labour University (GLU) is so much more. Celebrating 20 years of existence on 30 April 2024 at the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, founding father Frank Hoffer stated: “GLU is a unique part of the Global Labour Movement. It combines the movement character that focuses on practical action with the academic rigour of an analysis of what is”. To the original idea to qualify trade unionists to be at eye level with employers and policy-makers has long been added an additional dimension: that of a being a space where trade unionists from around the globe learn from each other. Recognizing that the labour movement is diverse, with varying traditions, ideological leanings, national contexts and practices, yet united in its purpose to advance workers’ conditions, GLU allows for a better mutual understanding. Only by knowing and respecting one another can the foundation be laid for global and transnational trade union action, be it in campaigns in Multinational Companies or the fight for a safe workplace everywhere. 
 

Edlira Xhafa, Director of the GLU Online Academy pointed out that “The global labour movement needs to create … comradely spaces for difficult and tough questions [..] to advance a progressive vision and strategies for building an independent workers’ power. And the GLU provides one of such spaces.”  
 

At the GLU20 Celebrations, it became abundantly clear that in such a space, a critical inspection of the labour movement itself and the world it operates in can thrive. Luc Triangle, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) reminded the audience of 130 GLU students, alumni and friends that the historic mission of advancing democracy at work and beyond is crucial not only for the labour movement itself but for the survival of democracy. Jeremy Anderson of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) illustrated how workers need to be respected, involved and trained if the transition to climate neutrality were to be a just one. While the labour movement is being asked to respond to an overwhelming number of questions asked by the crisis of contemporary capitalism, it needs to constantly transform itself to become a relevant political force especially for the marginalized workers.  
 

Responding to these demands, GLU has expanded its capacity to offer training programmes beyond its Master Courses in 7 campuses globally. For example, GLU’s Online Academy, in its free Online Courses provides space for learning and engaging on topics such as Regulating Global Supply Chains or The Future is Public while the Global Labour Column offers opinion pieces and the Global Labour Journal deeper academic analyses of labour issues. A truly global network of labour activists and scholars does not, however, confine itself to analysis: action and solidarity is firmly engrained in the DNA of GLU. It is therefore only plausible that direct support is being provided to unionists who in resisting authoritarianism in their home countries face restrictions of their rights and safety. After all, when one starts a global network to support building union power, it will always be a mix of analysis and action.