Senior trade union leaders from across Europe are meeting in Dublin to discuss a plan to develop trade union capacity in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Over the next 18 months, the project will develop a “trade unions for peace” toolkit to help trade unionists and others actively promote peace and contribute to conflict resolution locally, nationally and internationally.
The initiative is being led by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), which represents over 45 million workers across Europe.
It will draw on experiences in past conflicts where trade union community links, mediation and conflict-resolution skills were instrumental in successfully bringing warring parties into peace processes.
“Now and throughout history, trade unions have played a vital, but often invisible, role in conflict resolution and peacebuilding,” ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said.
“In the workplace, in the community, in the regions and nations, and internationally, peace is a trade union issue, and conflict resolution is a trade union responsibility,” Ms Lynch said.
“We are committed and determined to play our active and constructive part in promoting peace, democracy, justice, rights, prosperity and inclusiveness during and beyond the present crises,” she added.
