Global Solidarity Champions
Click here to view photo gallery
CHAMPIONS! 36 COMPLETE GLOBAL SOLIDARITY COURSE
A total of 36 members across NIPSA’s membership base have successfully completed the course and are now recognised as Global Solidarity Champions.
Covering human and trade union rights, climate change, gender equality, child labour, environmental sustainability the course pinpoints why international trade union solidarity is so vital in pushing for progressive change.
Speakers from the international trade union movement and progressive NGOs – including Public Services International, Debt and Development Coalition Ireland, University of Ulster, International Labour Organisation and NIPSA’s Global Solidarity Committee - took part in the event.
NIPSA General Secretary, Brian Campfield, presented each participant with their Global Solidarity Champions certificate. Praising the initiative,
Judi Somerville, Branch 15 (DOE), said: “The course was packed with information and inspiring stories. It’s good to see the work NIPSA is doing around the world.”
Another participant, Fiona Macleod-Green, Branch 21 (DENI), claimed it was vital that NIPSA members be kept properly informed of international issues. She said: “Issues here interlink with issues affecting workers everywhere – being entitled to a decent pay for a decent day’s work is not limited to this corner of the world. The choices we make and actions we take here can either positively contribute to people’s lives or add to their misery. The Global Solidarity course was very informative; a call to committing to meaningful action, no matter how small.”
Elaine Captain, Branch 70 (NI Court Service), added: “The word ‘global’ made me feel that because I am only one person, my ability to change anything would be very limited. However having undergone the Global Solidarity Champions training event, I see that I am one of a growing group of people. The training showed us how we can effect change and that by communicating with others to make even small changes at work or home, this has the potential to gather pace and effect change on a broader basis.
I found the learning experience of this particular event profound and thought-provoking. I was left feeling that even though I am only one person, I can make a difference and for this I am extremely grateful.”
Describing the course as “informative, thorough and thought-provoking”, Maurice Macartney (Branch 524) (Queens University), said: “It was good to meet and hear from people working on the front line in this area; the expertise they were able to share with us was invaluable. It was good, too, to meet others working in the social services who take an active interest in these issues.”