STRENGTHENING TRADE UNION CAPACITIES IN AFRICA

This training programme aimed at supporting trade unions in Africa to actively participate in the United Nations Sustainable Development processes including the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) in order to contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at national level. OBJECTIVES The objectives of the course were to: I. Strengthen capacities of trade unions in Africa to actively participate in the UN Sustainable Development processes and contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development at national level. II. Strengthen the capacities of trade unions in Africa to integrate Decent Work priorities into the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs), Decent Work country Programmes and Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). III. Share successful global, regional and national initiatives and strategies in promoting decent work in UN sustainable development processes, with the aim of replicating wherever possible. IV. Develop trade union actions and innovative strategies to deal with the challenges limiting their effective participation in the UN sustainable development processes. V. Establish a network of trade union representatives knowledgeable on the theme. CONTENT The course focused on the following topical issues: the key elements of the United Nations (UN) reforms and key entry points for workers organisations; challenges and opportunities for workers’ organisations in promoting trade union active participation in the UN sustainable development processes; workers’ organisations role and visibility in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) processes; integration of decent work principles in the UNSDCFs and VNRs in order to promote workers’ rights, inclusive and shared growth; practical lessons and insights from successful trade union initiatives, campaigns and active participation in UN sustainable development processes including VNRs; and, tripartite and bipartite social dialogue and representation systems for trade unions to promote and participate more strongly in the UN sustainable development processes. NUMBER OF HOURS: 60