|
Switch to
|
|
|
|
|
|
2/9/2010 18:48
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Search:
|
|
|
|
Contact
|
|
|
|
|
|
Main subject areas covered
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kind of information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Youth Forum in Tula, Russia
The Youth Forum of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Tula Region took place on November 13-14, 2003 in Tula, a regional centre to the south of Moscow. Held within the framework of the FNPR youth policy, the Forum became another event in a series of youth fora organised throughout the country.
One hundred thirty delegates coming from most districts of the Tula region were representing an army of 90 thousand young trade union members. Most representative delegations were those of defence industry and popular schooling and science unions, as well as of the regional organisation of the Russian Chemical Workers’ Union. Among the delegates there were 59 chairpersons of primary organisations, 17 members of workshop committees, 35 trade union activists and 19 rank-and-file trade union members. It should also be noted that the participants have a fairly high level of education – 46.5 per cent of them have a higher education, while the rest have either secondary or specialised secondary education (further training).
At the opening ceremony of the Forum the participants were addressed by Igor Kaenkov, Chairperson of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Tula Region, who spoke about the role young people play in modern society and the importance that is attached to youth problems by the FNPR and the Federation. He continued saying the Forum is an excellent opportunity for the young people of the region to gather together, discuss the issues of most concern and, which is much more important, find adequate solutions to their problems. Representatives of the sectoral unions were also given the floor – they spoke about the importance youth cooperation has for their sectors. Sergey Kharitich took the floor on behalf of the ICFTU. He briefly introduced the ICFTU to the participants saying a few words about its overall membership. He then spoke about the ICFTU priorities for action and the issues the ICFTU organises campaigns on, focusing on youth policy and organising in more detail. Sergey Kharitich spoke about the ‘Future Starts Now – Join A Union!’ campaign that came to Russia in 2000 and the seminars held in Russia within the framework of this campaign. He voiced the support the ICFTU has towards the youth policy implemented by the FNPR throughout Russia and expressed a firm belief that the Forum will lead to specific palpable results. Finally, he wished the participants to take a maximum out of the Forum and enjoy this opportunity of being together.
After that the delegates split into five groups, and work in small groups started. Sergey Kharitich was moderating one of the groups. During the two days the participants were discussing the problems young people face and the ways of solving them through trade unions, particularly with the help of collective agreements. The groups were compiled at random, so heated discussions were typical of this group work. Although some participants, mainly from the budget sphere, thought they could not change anything (finding more and more arguments to support this idea), they were in outright minority and were finally persuaded by their colleagues that they were at the Forum to find out what they CAN do and how they can do it, rather than to prove they COULD NOT do anything.
At the end of group work the participants discussed the Forum documents – the Concept of Youth Policy and the Provisions of the Regional Youth Council. These documents were adopted at the plenary session that came after group work, with amendments and additions put forward by the groups. The Youth Council was also formed.
In their closing remarks the participants expressed a hope that youth activities would not stop with the end of the Forum and that young people would be taking part in decision-making at all levels.
***
Information from the ICFTU Moscow Office
Written by
Sergey Kharitich
|
Print version
|
