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On the closing day of the UNI World Congress in Cape Town, Tarja Halonen former President of Finland and trade union activist told congress “our involvement and our contribution to the future is both relevant and necessary!"

"Some claim that the labour movement is a thing of the past. They are simply wrong!”

She also called for inclusivity, reminding delegates of the close roots of the political labour movement and trade union movement, saying “the political labour movement and the trade unions are like sisters.”

“The birth and consequent efforts to fight for justice and equality has been a struggle, but we have been fairly successful.”

In front of an audience of trade unionists from over 100 different countries around the world, Halonen spoke of the challenges that lay ahead: “Some old challenges persist and today’s globalized world has also brought new challenges.”

“Urbanisation, unemployment, gender disparity, climate change and environmental degradation shake the foundations of our societies and hinder sustainable development.”

Halonen finished by stressing the importance of a collaborative and inclusive response to shared economic and social issues: “Trade unions need the political movement and vice-versa. This has been the case since trade unions and political labour movements joined forces in the very beginning of industrialization.”

“By working together, we can be strong!”