The union movement is proud to have links with friends and comrades around the world. Hear from campaigns and organisations on how our shared values can support collective goals.
Friday, 19 July
16:00-17:00 – Connect for Palestine – Moved to the Organise Tent
Saturday, 20 July
10:30-11:30 Fixing Britain – Five Challenges for the New Government
A vital discussion of the priorities for the new government to reverse the regressive trajectory of the last 14 years and set the UK back firmly on the path of progress. Until the Global Financial Crisis, many of us took it for granted that, by and large, each new generation would have better opportunities, economically, democratically and in terms of their rights than those coming before. For the last 14 years, however, we have been on a path of regress. We simply cannot afford the new government to fail. But there are many obstacles on the road to success. Mark E Thomas, Founder of the 99% Organisation and author of 99%: How We’ve Been Screwed and How to Fight Back will present the challenges and discuss their solutions with the audience.
11:45-12:45 – Media Activism and International Solidarity
Exploring how trade unionists can work with activists in the Global South to build effective solidarity through developing media platforms and communications strategies, which challenge the vision of the world we receive through the mainstream media. The discussion will look at the case study of campaigns organised in solidarity with the Sudanese struggle for democracy and social justice. With Dr. Anne Alexander (Co-editor of Middle East Solidarity magazine and website, and UCU member) and Khalid Sidahmed (Anti-war campaigner, member of the editorial board of MENA Solidarity Network, Equality Officer at Unite the Union, member of Portsmouth Trades Council).
13:00-14:00 – Fighting the Far Right
The darkest news out of the general election was the massive vote share for Nigel Farage’s newest political party corporation. The far-right are crafty – they engage with the real frustrations that working people are facing, and then channel that frustration towards migrant workers, refugees and marginalised people rather than where it belongs – with the ruling elites. This session is a practical workshop looking at how we combat this narrative, root it out at its core, and put the struggle back where it belongs with a united working class.
With David Renton (Author of “No Free Speech for Fascists”) and Vic Jones (TUC Senior Policy Officer, Equalities)
14:05-14:35 Kurdish People’s Democratic Assembly of Britain
A talk by Agit Karatas – Representative for Foreign Affairs & Diplomacy at the Kurdish People’s Democratic Assembly of Britain.
Agit co-ordinates the UK Kurdish movement’s foreign and diplomatic relations, on behalf of the Kurdish People’s Democratic Assembly of Britain. The Assembly is the largest representative body for over 400,000 Kurds resident across the United Kingdom, and contributes to raising public interest in events across Kurdistan and the Middle East.
14:45-15:40 – Workers in a War Zone with Medical Aid for Palestinians and the National Union of Journalists
In this honest discussion, we hear from Halla Keir of Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), and NUJ representative Paul Breeden on the risks workers face and suffer in perilous environments. They continue because of their vocation.
MAP provide immediate medical aid to those in great need, while also developing local capacity and skills to ensure the long-term development of the Palestinian healthcare system. The NUJ is the voice for journalists and journalism in the UK and beyond.
15:45-16:40 – Global Austerity – with Geoff Tily (TUC Senior Policy Officer, Economy & International) and Ann Pettifor (Jubilee 2000)
Austerity is the failed government theory that by suppressing wages and conditions, you can somehow revive an economy. What really happens is that ordinary people stop spending, meaning the economy slows down even further, needs another bailout, is subjected to more austerity, and so on – a process TUC Senior Policy Officer Geoff Tily calls the Doom Loop. This is even more stark when played out on an international stage, it quite literally chokes the world. As the International Monetary Fund and their associates impose austerity on impoverished countries forcing people into desperate working conditions, work is offshored, undermining conditions and collective bargaining at home. Come hear from Geoff and Ann Pettifor why this ideology persists despite having been debunked, and how we as British workers can join forces with our international comrades to fight back. A rising tide should lift all boats, not just the yachts.