THEME: Mobilising for socio, economic and political campaigns TITLE: The State of Social Justice PUBLISHED BY: International Labour Organisation (ILO) WHO IS THIS FOR: This ILO flagship report positions social justice not as a luxury but as a foundational pillar for peace, stability, cohesion, and sustainable development, grounded in the universal recognition of human and labour rights as essential to dignity and fairness. It emphasises that justice does not flow automatically from economic growth but must be actively pursued through political will, institutional reform, and inclusive governance, with policy choices shaping whether transitions lead to opportunity or exclusion. Drawing on interviews from 17 countries, it reveals a widespread crisis of institutional trust: despite strong legal frameworks, many workers report exclusion, mistreatment, and neglect, underscoring the gap between formal protections and lived realities of justice. Worker educators, trade union and community leaders and study circle participants will find it useful. Download here The State of Social Justice 2025
Read MoreTHEME: Mobilising for socio, economic and political campaigns TITLE: The Global Gateway Advocacy Toolkit PUBLISHED BY: SOLIDAR WHO IS THIS FOR: The SOLIDAR Advocacy Toolkit supports civil society organisations (CSOs) in engaging with the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy. It explains the strategy’s goals, which include mobilising €300 billion for global infrastructure projects across five sectors: climate and energy, digital, transport, health, and education. The toolkit highlights critical issues such as the prioritisation of private sector profits over developmental impact, lack of transparency, and risks of debt burdens in the Global South. It provides advocacy tools, including EU legal obligations, European Court of Auditors findings, and recommendations for more inclusive, transparent, and impactful development finance. The aim is to promote poverty eradication, sustainability, and equitable development. Worker educators, community leaders and study circle participants will find it useful. Download here The Global Gateway Advocacy Toolkit
Read MoreTHEME: Mobilising for socio, economic and political campaigns TITLE: Reframing Narratives: Anti-trafficking from the ground up PUBLISHED BY: Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW) WHO IS THIS FOR: This annual publication by GAATW members is a series offering a unique GAATW perspective on emerging anti-trafficking issues, focusing on the experiences and efforts of members and allies rather than ranking responses or estimating case numbers. It aims to foster dialogue across global movements, connecting those in fields such as migration, women’s rights, labour organising, climate change, corporate accountability, and conflict with anti-trafficking work. The inaugural issue, (In)formal Pathways to Justice, examines the mechanisms that influence migrant and trafficked individuals’ access to justice, highlighting both formal and informal avenues. It emphasises the protections provided by formal justice systems for exploited migrant women while acknowledging that many seek alternative paths for redress and safety. The issue focuses on the experiences of practitioners working on behalf of migrant women, exploring their motivations and outcomes. Overall, it prioritises the perspectives of migrant women and their many (in)formal pathways to justice. Download here Reframing Narratives: Anti-trafficking from the ground up
Read MoreTHEME: Mobilising for social, economic and political campaigns TITLE: World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) – May 2025 PUBLISHED BY: International Labour Organisation (ILO) WHO IS THIS FOR: The latest edition of the World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) Trends reveals new data on job growth forecasts, shifting employment trends, income inequality, and the implications of technological change. It also explores the risks tied to rising geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions, and their ripple effects across regions and sectors. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has revised its global employment forecast for 2025, projecting the creation of 53 million jobs instead of the previously estimated 60 million. This translates into a reduction in global employment growth from 1.7 per cent to 1.5 per cent this year. The drop – which is the equivalent of around seven million fewer additional jobs – reflects a downgraded global economic outlook, as GDP growth is expected at 2.8 per cent, down from a previous projection of 3.2 per cent. The findings of this report on the employment landscape are sobering, but they can also act as a roadmap for the creation of decent jobs. This report is useful for trade unionists, researchers and worker educationists. Download […]
Read MoreTHEME: Mobilising for socio, economic and political campaigns TITLE: None of Us is Free Until All of Us are Free: New Perspectives on Global Solidarity PUBLISHED BY: Africa World Press WHO IS THIS FOR: None of Us is Free Until All of Us are Free: New Perspectives on Global Solidarity is published by Africa World Press and provides “a rich resource for those engaged in the hard work of creating and sustaining solidarity networks of activists, organisations, and institutions”. It brings together essays from 2020 to 2024 on the theme of global solidarity in the early 21st century. Edited by William Minter in collaboration with Imani Countess, it features a foreword by Graça Machel. “Building on what Graça Machel succinctly describes as ‘the most successful transnational movement for justice that the world has ever seen,’ the global anti-apartheid movement, this inspiring book offers us a guidebook on how to be global citizens. Minter and Countess supplement their own analysis with visionaries – from Angela Davis to Winona LaDuke – to expand our imaginations and offer the dynamic movements for racial, economic, gender, and climate justice of today a dazzling array of entry ramps into effective action for global justice.” – John […]
Read MoreTHEME: Mobilising for socio, economic and political campaigns TITLE: World Social Protection Report 2024 – 2025 PUBLISHED BY: International Labour Organisation (ILO) WHO IS THIS FOR: The World Social Protection Report 2024-26: Universal social protection for climate action and a just transition is an ILO flagship report which provides a global overview of progress made around the world since 2015 in extending social protection, with a sharp focus on the climate crisis and the need for climate action to transition to a more sustainable world. The report identifies protection gaps and sets out key policy recommendations, including those for achieving the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The report calls on policymakers, social partners and other stakeholders to accelerate their efforts to simultaneously close protection gaps and realise climate ambitions. Download here World Social Protection Report 2024 – 2025
Read MoreTHEME: Participatory learning methods and popular education TITLE: MOJA Journal of Adult Education Issue 2 (July 2024) PUBLISHED BY: MOJA Adult Education Africa WHO IS THIS FOR: The second issue of the MOJA journal series focuses on Building Community Food Systems and Livelihoods. It arose from a broader discussion on conceptualising and fostering hope and possibility during crises. While climate change and the COVID pandemic have disrupted socio-economic and development goals, they have also highlighted the urgent need for the adult education community to engage with the interconnected crises. In times of crisis, it is crucial to respond to issues like, inter alia, food and hunger, poor health and disease, energy, water and drought, gender-based violence, migration, and housing and shelter. This issue draws attention to the work of adult educators working in community food systems and livelihoods, and could be of interest to study circles and study groups looking at just transition, climate change, and vulnerable and informal work sectors. Download here MOJA Journal of Adult Education Issue 2 (July 2024)
Read MoreTHEME: Mobilising for socio, economic and political campaigns TITLE: ITUC Global Rights Index 2024 PUBLISHED BY: International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) WHO IS THIS FOR: Now in its 11th year, the Global Rights Index offers an important status report on the worldwide struggle to defend and exercise core pillars of democracy: the fundamental rights and freedoms of working people and trade unions. As it attests, there are clear signs that governments and companies are accelerating their efforts to trample on these basic rights that underpin the very nature of democracy and the rule of law. In the past year, almost nine out of 10 countries worldwide violated the right to strike, while about eight in 10 countries denied workers the right to bargain collectively for better terms and conditions. In a deeply worrying development this year, 49% of countries arbitrarily arrested or detained trade union members, up from 46% in 2023, while more than four in 10 countries denied or constrained freedom of speech or assembly. These figures and trends reinforce a global picture in which hard-won democratic rights and civil liberties are under grave and relentless attack. Trade union leaders, policy makers, human rights activists and academics will find […]
Read MoreTHEME: Mobilising for socio, economic and political campaigns TITLE: ITF Proposals for Financing Sustainable Transport PUBLISHED BY: International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) WHO IS THIS FOR: We need a new climate finance model for the transport sector in the Global South. Current investment levels are less than 3% of what is needed, and the current policy focus on de-risking private investment through ‘blended’ finance is not delivering. In light of the negotiations underway for a new global finance agreement, we need a specific approach for sustainable transport that includes integrated national master plans, national climate finance platforms, and respect for just transition principles that includes genuine consultation with transport workers. This document has two parts. Part one analyses the landscape of climate finance for transport in the Global South. Part two outlines ITF proposals for a new model for financing sustainable transport. Those involved in the Just Transition field, transport trade unions and researchers will find this useful. Download here ITF Proposals for Financing Sustainable Transport
Read MoreTHEME: Mobilising for socio, economic and political campaigns TITLE: World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024 PUBLISHED BY: International Labour Organisation (ILO) WHO IS THIS FOR: Labour markets have shown surprising resilience despite deteriorating economic conditions, but recovery from the pandemic remains uneven as new vulnerabilities and multiple crises are eroding prospects for greater social justice.This report reveals a complex global employment scenario. It forecasts a slight increase in global unemployment in 2024, signalling emerging labour market challenges. The report highlights disparities between high and low-income countries, noting higher unemployment and poverty rates in lower-income nations. It also points out that a significant portion of the global workforce remains in informal employment. Key concerns include worsening income inequality and the impact of inflation on real incomes, especially in G20 countries. The report underscores the need for policy interventions focused on social justice to ensure a fair and sustainable global economic recovery. Download here World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024
Read MoreTHEME: Mobilising for socio, economic and political campaigns TITLE: Civil Society Spotlight Report: How far is Europe from achieving the SDGs? PUBLISHED BY: SOLIDAR WHO IS THIS FOR: The EU has the power to pass transformative laws and command the resources needed to drive the transition towards social justice and environmental sustainability. This civil society spotlight report, prepared by the civil society organisations that are members of the consortium of the REAL DEAL project and members of SDG Watch Europe, explains why the EU’s SDG reporting creates an illusion of sustainability and flags up serious gaps and challenges in the implementation of the SDGs. In addition, it and makes concrete policy proposals for bringing them to life with real stories and suggests key recommendation the EU can, with a bit of political will, easily use to create the transformation we need. Those involved in Just Transition work will find this useful. Download here Civil Society Spotlight Report: How far is Europe from achieving the SDGs?
Read MoreTHEME: Mobilising for socio, economic and political campaigns TITLE: Renewable Energy and Jobs: Annual Review 2023 PUBLISHED BY: International Labour Organisation (ILO) WHO IS THIS FOR: This tenth edition of Renewable energy and jobs: Annual review by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) offers the latest set of global renewable energy employment estimates, which are based on IRENA’s own methodologies and calculations, as well as a large array of reports published by government agencies, industry associations, non-governmental organisations and academic experts. IRENA launched this series to provide regular updates to its assessment of renewable energy employment worldwide. Each edition discusses the latest available data and highlights specific aspects, such as employment in the energy access context, the gender equity dimension or the requirements of a just transition. Those involved in Just Transition work will find this useful. Download here Renewable Energy and Jobs: Annual Review 2023
Read MoreTHEME: Mobilising for socio, economic and political campaigns TITLE: Beyond Inclusion: A Queer Response To Climate Justice PUBLISHED BY: International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) WHO IS THIS FOR: As climate impacts escalate and the links between climate and gender are increasingly recognised, it is timely to understand how climate change affects sexual and gender diversities and it is important to emphasise that ‘gender’ is not synonymous with women. Vulnerability to climate change is intersectional, often based on gender, race and disability, as well as sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and sex characteristics. The root causes of climate vulnerability are in who holds power and privilege and who is disadvantaged and excluded. Globally, LGBTQI+ groups continue to be marginalised in accessing rights, resources and decision-making processes. This marginalisation is made worse because LGBTQI+ groups are invisible in discussions about climate change vulnerability and impacts. This must change to ensure climate action does not perpetuate the same injustices queer people consistently face in other realms. Climate justice involves understanding the root causes of interlinked oppressions, connecting struggles for climate justice, gender justice, racial justice, intergenerational justice, disability justice and others to colonialism, capitalism and extractivism. A climate-just future also requires queer justice. Those working in the […]
Read MoreTHEME: Mobilising for socio, economic and political campaigns TITLE: World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2023 PUBLISHED BY: International Labour Organisation (ILO) WHO IS THIS FOR: This report covers the extent and consequences of the labour market disruption caused by overlapping economic and geopolitical crises, and analyses global patterns, regional differences and outcomes across groups of workers. The report pays particular attention to the impact of the different crises on productivity, job quality and job opportunities and how these trends risk undermining social justice around the world. Those involved in policy, research, study circles and education, particularly in the adult worker educator community, will find the report useful. Download here World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2023
Read MoreTHEME: Mobilising for socio, economic and political campaigns TITLE: ILO Global Wage Report 2022-2023: The impact of inflation and Covid-19 on wages and purchasing power PUBLISHED BY: International Labour Organisation (ILO) WHO IS THIS FOR: This ILO flagship report examines the evolution of real wages, giving a unique picture of wage trends globally and by region. The 2022-23 edition also includes evidence on how wages have evolved through the COVID-19 crisis as well as how the current inflationary context is biting into real wage growth in most regions in the world. The report shows that for the first time in the twenty-first century real wage growth has fallen to negative values while, at the same time, the gap between real productivity growth and real wage growth continues to widen. The report also looks at changes in wage inequality and the gender pay gap to reveal how Covid-19 may have contributed to increasing income inequality in different regions of the world. Together, the empirical evidence in the report becomes the backbone of a policy discussion that could play a key role in a human-centred recovery from the different ongoing crises. Trade union leaders, study circles, community activists and policy makers will […]
Read MoreTHEME: Building democratic trade unions TITLE: Freedom Report 2022: Unions Building Peace PUBLISHED BY: International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) WHO IS THIS FOR: This report stands in recognition of the decades of action for peace and democracy by trade unions around the world. It serves as a reminder that without peace, democratic rights and freedoms, decent work and social protection, remain unattainable. Unions on the frontline of the struggle for peace find themselves engaged in the broad scope of resistance. The report includes case studies from: In Colombia, unions have been at the forefront of decades of struggle for peace and social justice. In Northern Ireland, the trade union movement has long been a motor for peace and overcoming division and sectarianism. In Myanmar, the unions continue their longstanding peace and democracy struggle in the most difficult and dangerous circumstances under a ruthless military dictatorship. In Tunisia, the UGTT and others were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work to build a post-dictatorship country with a new constitution. A commitment that remains just as strong as the country faces new challenges. This publication will be of use to trade union leaders, study circles, community activists and grassroots leaders. Download […]
Read MoreTHEME: Mobilising for socio, economic and political campaigns TITLE: Beware of the Bot: A critical perspective on the 4IR PUBLISHED BY: Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training (CIPSET), Nelson Mandela University WHO IS THIS FOR: The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is gaining global attention as the ‘new phase’ of development that will address a wide range of social and economic issues in societies. Like its predecessors, the 4IR is portrayed as the new era that offers opportunities to improve human lives, lead the world out of crises and toward a better future for humankind. The 4IR is associated with disruptive technologies including robotics, the internet, nanotechnologies, genomics artificial intelligence, virtual reality and many other technologies. Many activists, scholars and critics have raised critical questions about the promises of the 4IR. Is the 4IR simply the next phase of capitalist production or an epochal shift? Can it address the triadic problems of inequality, unemployment and poverty? How can it deal with the issues of race, class and gender? How will it address the ecological crisis and global warming? These are some of the key questions raised. This booklet has been written to encourage debate amongst students and communities and to […]
Read MoreTHEME: Mobilising for socio, economic and political campaigns TITLE: Let us not be slaves until we die: the lives of chokka fishers PUBLISHED BY: Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training (CIPSET), Nelson Mandela University WHO IS THIS FOR: This booklet is a collection of life histories from South African fishers gathered through in-depth interviews, analysing fishers’ payslips, conducting desk top research on the squid fishing industry; and notes from numerous meetings with the South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Department of Labour, and employers. It tells the story of chokka fishers from their perspective and experiences. And while this is the story of a group of workers within a specific industry, it is also the story of the social relations that shape the world of workers, and it talks to the role of the state in maintaining these relations. It is part of the universal story of how the exploitation of workers gives rise to the accumulation of wealth and privilege by a small elite. This booklet is for the use of community educators, self-organised community groups and trade unions that aim to build autonomous, democratic, working-class organisations. Download here Let us not be slaves until we […]
Read MoreTHEME: Mobilising for socio, economic and political campaigns TITLE: What has a polar bear got to do with me? Why respecting and saving the environment is a justice issue which affects us all PUBLISHED BY: Centre for Integrated Post-School Education and Training (CIPSET), Nelson Mandela University WHO IS THIS FOR: This booklet contributes to the increasing body of literature, documentaries and popular texts which call for the development of a heightened consciousness about the ecological crisis and the devastating destruction of the Earth and all its life forms. Cataclysmic disasters are becoming common testimonies of the ecological crisis and the relentless adherence to political and economic systems that are geared towards an unsustainable future and the extinction of life. These systems that are concerned with endless growth, extractivism, consumerism and technological innovation propel us into deepening ecological crises and a hastening of the annihilation of the world’s interlocking ecosystems. Study circles and community and activist groups concerned with climate justice will find this publication useful. Download here What has a polar bear got to do with me? Why respecting and saving the environment is a justice issue which affects us all
Read MoreTHEME: Mobilising for socio, economic and political campaigns TITLE: A Just Transition for the Global South PUBLISHED BY: SOLIDAR WHO IS THIS FOR: In this study, leaders and activists in both the Global South and North reflect on the question: “How can movement-building and alliances, citizens’ voices and social inclusion influence national policy, action and popular support for Just Transition? And what is needed to optimise the capacity of those involved?” The study is intended to inform support and learning for a Just Transition in the Global South. The Philippines and South Africa are the two focus countries. Both face severe difficulties in transitioning away from fossil fuels, as well as with the impacts of the climate crisis. Twenty respondents from trade unions, civil society, academia and political parties in these countries were interviewed, along with labour support organisations in the Global North. Political activists, trade union leaders, youth leaders and study circles, particularly those working on climate change and a just transition, will find this useful. Download here A Just Transition for the Global South
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