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INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF IG METALL AND FES, BAUTZEN

STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY AND SOLIDARITY




Belgrade, October 17 2007
The town Bautzen in the German province of Saxony, celebrating 1000 years of its existence, was the host of trade union representatives, scientists, eminent persons of the most important political and social institutions from several EU states, and guests of this impressive international meeting were the representatives of MWBU ‘’Nezavisnost”, D. Matic and A. Todic as well.

This meeting was organized and financed by IG Metall and ‘’Friedrich Ebert’’ Foundation. The MWBU ‘’Nezavisnost” is present at this meeting for the second time, and we are the only representatives coming from Southeast Europe. Almost 80 participants had the opportunity, in 3 days, to speak about the subject ‘’Europe relative to social integration – strengthening democracy and solidarity’’, as well as about the role and responsibility of unions in the society, globalization processes, adversely affecting Europe’s social model.

Mr. Peter Scherrer, EMF Secretary General, spoke about Europe as a ‘’solidarity island’’ or ‘’locomotive of social globalization”, and Thomas Jurk, Minister of Economy and Operations of Saxony, read a Report on economic efficiency and social participation. The development trends in Slovakia, in the expanded Europe, were especially highlighted, and social participation in global economy, viewed from the aspect of the Republic of Slovakia, was comprised by a special Report. The author of this Report was Emilia Krsikova, State Secretary within the Ministry of Labor and Social Issues of the Republic of Slovakia. The engineer Juraj Borgula, of the Machine Industry Association of the Republic of Slovakia, spoke about the companies being active on an international level, reflected in labor relations oriented towards trade union participation. Dr Juergen Riedel, director of ‘’TraSt München’’, was a moderator of the Round Table on the topic ‘’Europe and chances for full employment and social equalization’’, stating Slovakia as an example.

Prof. Dr Rudolf Hickel of Bremen University gave an exposé on the subject of Europe’s integration and neo-liberal globalization, as well as its divergence between the needs, demands and viability.

The report titled ‘’Europe quo vadis – a pause for contemplation or crisis of meaning’’ was the question posed by Constance Krehl, member of European Parliament, which really impressed the participants in the meeting. The former EMF Secretary General, Bert Thierron, presented a Report on the topic ‘’Chances for maintaining and further development of European social model’’.

This very intense and comprehensive session ended with joint resolutions moderated by our host Joachim Topfel of IGM, and resolutions will be forwarded to all participants in this Meeting.

 
     
 
 
 
 
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