The Women’s Global Leadership Program (WGLP) is a four-day program to be held next year in New York City from Thursday, March 15- Sunday, March 18. The program brings together women union and labor movement leaders and activists from across the United States to learn about the global economy and strengthen organizing and advocacy skills. Participants will develop tools and contacts to advance pro-worker, pro-women policies at the local, national and global level, and learn about strategies and mechanisms to strengthen organizing campaigns that involve multinational employers.
The global economy shapes the lives of working women. The WGLP helps participants develop a critical analysis of current political, economic and social trends and their impacts on workers and unions. The program will include training on economic institutions and policymaking, how economic policies can promote or hinder labor and women’s rights, the structure of the global labor movement, global organizing strategies, advocacy skills and how to use international tools and mechanisms to promote economic and gender justice.
The training happens in conjunction with the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), a yearly meeting that brings together governments and human rights advocates from around the world to discuss key issues affecting women’s empowerment. CSW is perhaps the largest international gathering of women in the world, and as part of the program participants will be able to attend panels and other events. Sisters from unions in other countries, global union federations and international unions join together every year to form a trade union delegation to the CSW. The program provides an opportunity for participants to build contacts with activists and leaders from around the world and strengthen advocacy across the labor and women’s rights movements.
This year’s delegation is also particularly impactful given the current movement to address sexual harassment and gender-based violence in the workplace. The #metoo hashtag has spread around the globe, and in June 2018 the International Labor Organization will begin discussing a binding international standard to address violence and harassment at work. Women workers and their unions have a critical role to play in addressing this issue, and it is essential that the link between labor rights and women’s empowerment at work remains central in the conversation. Governments and non-governmental organizations need to hear from women workers about how organizing and collective bargaining can change women’s lives for the better.
Application Process
All applicants must complete an application by January 12, 2018.
Click http://go.aflcio.org/2018wglpapplication to complete your application.
WGLP activities will take place from Thursday, March 15 – Sunday, March 18, 2018. A block of hotel rooms will be reserved for participants but participants may also make their own accommodation arrangements.
Space is limited so early application is highly encouraged. There is no fee to join the delegation, but applicants must obtain support to cover the costs of travel to New York City, hotel and meals during the meeting.
Participants will have the opportunity to attend panels organized by unions and women’s rights organizations that will be part of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Participants will not attend the official meetings with governments in the United Nations but will have opportunities to meet women activists involved in advocacy during the United Nations meeting. Information about the 2018 United Nations Commission on the Status can be found by clicking HERE.
Information about previous years’ labor union delegation can be found HERE.
Prior to the delegation, participants must:
- Participate in a webinar briefing on the global economy, the international labor movement and the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
During the delegation, all are expected to:
- Attend all trainings, discussions and events
- Attend NGO-organized side events
- Practice public speaking
- Compose articles for the trade union delegation’s blog
Upon completion of the program, participants will be expected to prepare a presentation about their experience to share with their local union.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact cwaters@aflcio.org