An ETUC delegation, led by Maria Helena André, ETUC Deputy General Secretary, participated at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre where many ETUC affiliated trade unionists were present.

Before this Forum, the ETUC, the ICFTU and the WCL organised on January 25 and 26 a trade union Forum on the theme «The unity of workers for a fair and united world». Some 600 trade unionists attended the debates.

Maria Helena André expressed the ETUC point of view, which supports a globalisation that extends progress, human and social rights for all, as well as the necessity to defend the European Social Model in an enlarged Europe.

The ETUC also participated at other conferences, for example Juliane Bir, ETUC Youth Officer, attended a seminar on corporate social responsibility, which is part of a larger social dimension of globalisation with some other trade unionists and personalities.

There will be other activities gathering some 150.000 persons up until 31 January.

 Final Statement of the Conference on the Social Dimension of Globalisation, Porto Allegre