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Young leaders

The training course “Young leaders” which took place on 24-27 September 2020 in Kazimierz Dolny (Poland) was the third part of the four planned for the whole course. First course took place in June 2019 in Lublin (organized by Europejski Dom Spotkań - Fundacja Nowy Staw (EDS-FNS)) the second one in October 2019 in Setubal/Portugal (organized by CFTL - Centro de Formação e Tempos Livres). This one was again organized by EDS-FNS, with the support of EZA and of the European Union.

This training has taken a hybrid form because of the current epidemiological situation in Europe. The training room was attended by representatives of trade unions from Poland Participants from France, Portugal and those polish ones who couldn’t come in person were virtually present by the zoom platform and took active part in exercises and discussions. The total number of participants was 24 (both: online and offline).

The training staff were scientists associated with the Jesuit University Ignatianum in Kraków and Karol Wojtyła Institute - Science Foundation.

Workshops about modern social media were led by Ms. Marta Chorna - Marketing Specialist in PROJEKTOR (National Student Volunteering Program)

MAIN TOPICS

During this course attention was paid to the following aspects:

  • Important role of values in attracting new members of trade unions
  • Proactive ways and methods of attracting new trade union members
  • Use of modern media in the promotion of the trade unions
  • Full participation in management as a new model of modern organization management, its implementation in trade unions and as a task facing trade unions nowadays
  • Identity and values in a leader's work
  • The role of coaching and mentoring in leader’s development
  • Delegation of tasks as a method of unlocking leader potential

METHODS

Despite of the lack the direct contact between participants it was possible to involve them into group work by using the capabilities of the ZOOM platform (ZOOM rooms). They worked and discussed topics in the language groups and then presented results to the others.

Trainers lead alongside the lecture style of work many active exercises – both individual and in the small groups. Prof. Ryszard Stocki and Jarosław Kucharski prepared and conducted also a simulation game which attracted attention of both groups: online and offline. Those present in the conference room took part in active way playing their roles, when online participants were observers of this game. This way they could share their observations and conclusions at the end of this game, what was very valuable for those who were actively involved in playing the roles.

CONCLUSIONS, POSTULATES

  • Significant role of values – answer to the question “What are our values? What are our roots?” – values make trade unions unique and also build the unity which is attractive for potential members.
  • The need to improve knowledge about modern ways of promotion in social media; The need of improving the practical skills in virtual world day by day because of changes and technological improvement.
  • The continuing need to develop leadership skills - listening and negotiating skills, representation skills, persuasive skills.
  • Awareness of the right to participate – as a right of everyone (with his/her advantages and disadvantages). The base of it is the value of every human being.
  • Reflection on the conditions of participation and – in the reference to that point - reflection on the own trade unions – whether these conditions are met in our work environment? If not – why? What we should change?
  • The role of identity and values of a leader – how one can build an own position and authority as a leader? Who can be seen in our lives as a leader (what are his/her main features which make him/her a leader in our eyes).

This course gave the opportunity to discuss and plan the next course which is supposed to be in France organized by CFTC (Confédération Française des Travailleurs Chrétiens). People during the evaluation session could share their needs and expectations. The evaluation was guided by the the idea of involvement of participants during this session.

They listed following aspects and educational needs:

  • improvement knowledge about labor law on a basic level, comparison of differences in different European countries. 
  • improvement of dialogue and negotiation skills - how to convince opponents, how to build consensus and to find compromises.
  • development of the theme participation and aspect of cooperation.
  • dealing with the claimant's attitude.
  • sharing good practices – e.g. examples from different European trade unions - changes of labor law (exchange of experiences and successes).
  • social media - development of this topic but from the practical side (e.g. creation of sample campaigns during the workshops).
  • assertiveness training.