Solidarity makes a difference!
UNI-LCJ invited Bro. Bones Skulu, President and Bro. Zakari Koudougou, Regional Secretary from UNI Africa on 2 June 2014, to gain further understanding of overview in Africa, especially of fight against Apartheid toward the 4th UNI World Congress in Cape Town in December this year. More than 70 UNI-LCJ members listened to their stories on history of struggle and realized the importance of human rights and global solidarity.
Showing the map of African continent, Bro. Zakari underscored the huge, potential growing market with rich natural resources. In spite of some nations with limited social security coverage and political instability in other countries, UNI affiliates adopted the strategic plans “Rising Up : Breaking Through” at the UNI Africa Regional Conference last year to reaffirm their determination to organize more workers in targeted multinational companies, to rise up for trade union unity, growth and empowerment, to educate workers, to integrate HIV/AIDS issue into education programs et.
After introduction of South Africa, Bro. Bones described the history of struggle against Apartheid and solidarity support and assistance expressed from the people’s organizations in the world. In Japan, Rengo continuously supported Bro. Mandela and African National Congress (ANC) in fighting against Apartheid. In October 1990, when he visited Japan after the release fro prison, as the then Government of Japan turned down the request for support by the ANC, Rengo presented the petition to the Diet with 1.4 million signatures applying for the end of Apartheid. Rengo also organized the fund-raising campaign and handed to Bro. Mandela 150 thousand USD. Expressing appreciation for these actions, Bro. Bones mentioned “Without the international solidarity we had on our side, our country would not have been where it is today”. “Solidarity makes a difference!”
He welcomes the Japanese delegation to the Cape Town Congress, assuring that it is a beautiful, historic and safe place.
Appreciating their informative presentations and coming all the way from Africa, Bro. Aihara, Chairperson of UNI-LCJ concluded the seminar by saying “I will watch the film “Long Way to Freedom” before going to Cape Town”.
Bro. Bones and Bro. Zakari exchanged views and deepen friendship with participants in the reception.
More pictures on Flickr