- Conference
- 2011 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 19 October 2010
- Decision
- Carried
This Conference is proud of the reputation that UNISON has on International work.
In the Greater London Region, the Regional Women’s Committee (RWC) has been developing links with the Nicaraguan Communal Movement (NCM), through the Nicaraguan Solidarity Campaign, and in 2010 co-sponsored the development of a social project for the improvement in living conditions for members of the NCM in dwellings in dispersed locations in twelve communities of the municipality.
Nicaragua has a severe lack of good quality housing and this particular project sought to improve the conditions of those in the community and contribute to the fight to eradicate poverty. Sponsorship enabled two hundred roofs to be adequately repaired resulting in a measurable yield in the level of social benefit to the community, not least to the improvement in of the health of members of the community as the adequate roofing has aided in preventing exposure to the cold and rain which leads to respiratory illnesses and joint problems.
The project specifically assisted women in the community as they are the main carers for both children and the elderly in their families.
A member of the RWC has been appointed as the direct link between the Greater London RWC and the La Concha co-operative . The co-operative is made up of about three hundred women and all of them are set on searching for answers to the different issues they have, such as employment, health, education and housing and trying to find resources to meet their needs.
The Greater London RWC will be continuing to develop links and to seek to further support and share information with the La Concha co-operative.
Conference notes the benefits of establishing such links and therefore instructs the National Women’s Committee to:
1)Encourage all regional women’s committee to become involved in international work and to forge links with women’s groups overseas.
2)Continue to encourage UNISON women members to become involved by becoming Branch International Officers.
3)Continue to work towards establishing an ongoing global women’s trade union network, as agreed at National Women’s Conference 2010.