Who are We?

At the Global Labour University (GLU) trade unionists study, research and debate together in a global environment. It is a unique opportunity to think about ways towards greater solidarity, freedom and social justice in a deeply unfair and divided world.

The GLU is rooted in the partnership of trade unions, universities, the ILO and labour support organisations across the world. By building a network between workers' organisations and the scientific community, it contributes to the analytical and strategic capacities of labour in debating and acting for social justice.

GLU Engage Transfer Conference & Africa Alumni Meeting

GLU South Africa is hosting its annual Engage Transfer Conference on Friday, 18 October, at 10:00 (UTC+2). At the event, four African trade union groups will present their Power Resources Mapping research projects. These research groups were formed earlier this year by GLU alumni and are comprised of representatives from respective workers' organisations from Zimbabwe, Kenya, Cote d'Ivoire and Uganda.

Deadline extension for ENGAGE Asia Programme: October 31, 2024

The application window for the GLU-SOLAIR ENGAGE-Asia Programme 2025 has been extended to October 31, 2024. This is a five-month, blended Certificate Course programme consisting of an online phase and a residential/in-person phase, at the School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR) of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Applications for the “Social Economy and Labour” MA programme open until October 31!

Applications for the “Social Economy and Labour” MA programme are open until October 31, 2024. This 1-year programme is taught at UNICAMP in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. For any questions, please contact programme coordinator Hugo Dias: hugo.rodrigues.dias@gmail.com

GLU Alumni Survey 2024: Send Us Your Replies!

GLU Alumni: we kindly invite you to answer our all-important 2024 survey by September 15. Your insights will be a great help and will support us in growing and developing the GLU Alumni Network. One lucky participant will also be selected at random from the respondents to receive a prize, which will be announced after the survey is closed- thank you in advance for your participation!"

GLU Alumni Workshop 2024: September 21-27, 2024

GLU is organising an Alumni Workshop for graduates from the GLU programmes between September 21 and 27, 2024, at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India. The workshop will provide a comprehensive reflection on the impact of just transition, gender equality, migration, and authoritarian regimes on the world of work and an analysis of trade union strategies responding to these challenges.

GLU Conference India: September 25-27, 2024

The annual GLU Conference is scheduled for September 25 to 27, 2024, at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, India. This occasion is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the GLU network internationally and deepen the discussion on topics central to the network with GLU academics and Alumni, as well as members of national and international trade unions.

GLU Newsletter May - July 2024 is Out!

GLU Newsletter for the period of May - July 2024 is out. It contains the key updates, events, and activities from around the network, such as the GLU Annual Conference in India. Make sure to subscribe via our website to keep up with news and get involved in GLU activities.

Call for Applications: GLU ENGAGE South Africa

The application window for ENGAGE South Africa: course "Union Rights, Policy and Practice: Training for Global Union Activists" is now open. The course runs from September 1 to October 24, 2025, at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Closing date for applications is Friday, December 19, 2024.

Application for the GLU-SOLAIR ENGAGE-Asia Programme 2025 Open

Application for the GLU-SOLAIR ENGAGE-Asia Programme 2025 is now open. ENGAGE-Asia is a five-month, blended Certificate Course programme consisting of two phases, an online phase and a residential/in-person phase. The residential phase is hosted at the School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR) of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Applications for the GLU Postgraduate Programme in South Africa Open

Applications for the GLU Postgraduate Master and Honours Programme 2025 programme are now open. This fulltime coursework and research study programme is located in the School of Social Sciences, the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg, South Africa.

Master´s
Courses

Master's programmes are a unique opportunity for trade unionists and labour rights activists to increase their intellectual and strategic capacity in various countries across the globe.

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Certificate courses

GLU offers two certificate programmes at the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) in South Africa and one at the UP SOLAIR, the University of the Philippines.

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Online
academy

Online Academy is a pioneer in an online education approach that combines theoretical knowledge and practical skills through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).

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Network

Friedrich Ebert Stiftung University of the Philippines Diliman JNU Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin PennState Global Unions University of the Witwatersand Johannesburg unicamp Universität Kassel ILO

Our Testimonials

It was a great moment to connect with people, and to better understand labour and social justice issues on a global level...The program supports me in my current work because it helps me think about this larger global aspect of the very local work...

Chris Schwartz,
Alumni from Canada

Social justice requires innovative ideas and joint action by the labour movement and other activists. The GLU brings together the world of academia and activism to support social change for inclusive societies.

Maria Helena André,
Director, ILO-ACTRAV

The GLU for me is making good friends all over the world, sharing trade union and labour movement experiences, and being solidary...It changed my total perspective of what I am doing and gave me a new perspective of how globalization impacts labour...

Stefanie Wahl,
Alumni from Germany

The GLU programs I enrolled in gave me a unique perspective and understanding of Labour rights and policies. This perspective is a gift! I have embraced that the networks I have developed are making a difference every day in someone's life...

Moreblessing Nyambara,
Alumni from Zimbabwe

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Publications

GLU Publications

The GLU offers several channels for publishing research results and discussion papers on issues of labour and globalisation, such as the GLU Working Papers series and the Global Labour Column.

Other online, open-access websites that capture labour activities and cover related topics are also featured on our channels.

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Who are We?