Penn State

Consortium forSocial Movements and Education
Research and Practice

Home
The Global Labour University: A New Laboratory of Learning for International Labor Solidarity

The Global Labour University: A New Laboratory of Learning for International Labor Solidarity

Michael Fichter, Mark Anner, Frank Hoffer, Christoph Scherrer
2014
2014

Abstract

The Global Labour University (GLU), now 10 years old, is a network of interdisciplinary faculties that offer master level courses and other training programs for trade unionists from around the world. The main purpose of these programs is to enable trade unionists to develop policy expertise for the challenges of globalization. In this article we offer a critical assessment of the activities of the GLU. To what extent does the GLU achieve its objective of building capacity for a critical engagement with policy issues arising from globalization? And to what extent does the international composition of the Masters programs and the ensuing alumni work actually strengthen solidarity among trade unionists across national borders? What we find is that the GLU provides one important approach for addressing these challenges. By helping prepare labor unions of the future with the theoretical understandings and analytical and research skills they need, the GLU contributes to the global labor movement a new generation of labor activists. Our answers to these questions are based on participatory observations, interviews with a wide range of stakeholders and several external evaluation reports.
Article
Our Research
Full Publication

Abstract

The Global Labour University (GLU), now 10 years old, is a network of interdisciplinary faculties that offer master level courses and other training programs for trade unionists from around the world. The main purpose of these programs is to enable trade unionists to develop policy expertise for the challenges of globalization. In this article we offer a critical assessment of the activities of the GLU. To what extent does the GLU achieve its objective of building capacity for a critical engagement with policy issues arising from globalization? And to what extent does the international composition of the Masters programs and the ensuing alumni work actually strengthen solidarity among trade unionists across national borders? What we find is that the GLU provides one important approach for addressing these challenges. By helping prepare labor unions of the future with the theoretical understandings and analytical and research skills they need, the GLU contributes to the global labor movement a new generation of labor activists. Our answers to these questions are based on participatory observations, interviews with a wide range of stakeholders and several external evaluation reports.

Social Movements

Global Justice, Labor

Keywords

Class, Curriculum, Globalization, Higher Education

Theme

Social Movements Within; Through; and for Public Education

Related People

Mark Anner

Mark Anner