Welcome to the General Federation of Trade Unions

The General Secretary attended the annual Executive Committee Meeting of the International Federation of Workers’ Education Associations in New Jersey , USA on 10/11 October 2009. IFWEA is the main international affiliation for the GFTU Educational Trust which has been affiliated for 8 years. IFWEA EC members represent Unions and NGO’s from USA , South Africa , Sweden , Hong Kong , Philippines , Peru , Finland , Portugal and India amonst others.

 

The meeting agreed a work plan and budget for 2010. The philosophy , value and ethics of workers’ education are based upon the inalienable right of adults to lifelong learning as a cornerstone of democracy. Where there is no democracy , workers’ education directs itself towards building it. Where democracy exists , workers’ education examines , extends and entrenches it.

 

IFWEA was formed in 1947 and currently has 80 affiliates from more than 50 countries. UK affiliates include WEA and Ruskin/Northern Colleges. IFWEA uses the internet and regional and global seminars and conferences to bring affiliates together to exchange educational information , materials , methods and ideas ; to study questions of importance to adult education ;to represent the interests of workers’ education at an international level ; to encourage and support new movements in workers’ education and to assist in the development of workers’ education organisations in countris where they do not exist.

 

Since the affiliation of GFTU ET IFWEA affiliates have been sharing and learning from pioneering efforts in the utilisation of communications technology to develop new methodologies , from international study circles ; to e-learning for distance education ; interactive platforms for social learning and website design and education through video and radio.

 

Full details on www.ifwea.org.