UNI Bridge - launches in Ghana

A new project from Union Network International (UNI) aims to help bridge the digital divide between unions in the technologically developed world and elsewhere and is to be launched in Ghana in July.

The aim of the project - UNI Bridge - is to use UNI's network of union webmasters to help create websites for affiliated unions that don't yet have one.

The pilot project for UNI Bridge was announced at the UNI Journalists and Webmasters Forum, held in Nyon Switzerland.

Ashley Nealfuller from UK finance union UNIFI was chosen at the Forum to go to Ghana and create a website for three of UNI's affiliates there - the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU), the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and the Health Services Workers' Union (HSWU).

"I hope I can make a difference," said Ashley.

Carole Faure of French banking affiliate CFDT was chosen as reserve.

"We have a UNI-Online project to help get nearly 200 unions hooked up to e-mail and the Internet," said UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings.

"But we also need to provide training and assistance to help launch union websites around the world - they are increasingly vital to keep in touch with members and to campaign."

UNI's Trade Union Development Department administers a budget of 2.5m Swiss francs a year to provide training and development assistance to unions, mainly in developing countries.

UNI works with donors from among its own affiliates and outside organisations to provide assistance in building strong and democratic unions around the world.

UNI Bridge is a collaborative project with UNI acting as a bridge - providing the networking support, monitoring the project and funds for the webmaster's airfare.

The webmaster's union will give its webmaster's time and share its knowledge, IT skills and existing technology with three unions in Ghana (and other unions later).

The three Ghanaian unions will each be provided with a basic website and training in skills to update it. In exchange, they will provide the webmaster with board and lodging during his stay in Ghana.

* Union Network International is the global union federation for skills and services with 15 million members in more than 900 unions in 150 countries worldwide.