LancashireLenin
7th August 2011, 19:06
Comrades! I'm part of a pretty left-wing Labour Party university society (not out of any reformist or 'capitalist-workers-party tendencies on my part don't you worry) and here's an idea I'm trying to push, just wondering whether it would be feasible and whether you guys can help in any way-
I'd like the society to "adopt" a trade union fighting the good fight in the developing world- publicise its cause around the university and run fundraisers. If we can do it, I believe I can use my contacts in order to try and push other Labour societies to adopt trade unions in the same way. I want students to be conscious of the workers' struggles going on around the world and give them whatever financial support we can raise, however modest. And I think by focusing on one specific trade union it would hit home.
But I have no idea where to look for news concerning specific developing world trade unions, which trade union to choose (ideally would be a firmly socialist union), how to get in contact with them, etc.
Any advice or contacts you have would be appreciated.
EDIT: Do you guys know kiva.org? The whole microfinance thing where you give money to be lent to social enterprises interest free to theoretically help people out of poverty? Is there any system similar for trade unions and other workers organisations?
I'd like the society to "adopt" a trade union fighting the good fight in the developing world- publicise its cause around the university and run fundraisers. If we can do it, I believe I can use my contacts in order to try and push other Labour societies to adopt trade unions in the same way. I want students to be conscious of the workers' struggles going on around the world and give them whatever financial support we can raise, however modest. And I think by focusing on one specific trade union it would hit home.
But I have no idea where to look for news concerning specific developing world trade unions, which trade union to choose (ideally would be a firmly socialist union), how to get in contact with them, etc.
Any advice or contacts you have would be appreciated.
EDIT: Do you guys know kiva.org? The whole microfinance thing where you give money to be lent to social enterprises interest free to theoretically help people out of poverty? Is there any system similar for trade unions and other workers organisations?