ITF Congress Press Releases
ITF congress begins tomorrow
1 August 2006
The ITF’s 41st world congress begins tomorrow in South Africa and will set the agenda for the global organisation for the next four years.
Running from 2 to 9 August at the International Convention Centre, Durban, this will be the ITF’s biggest ever congress, and the first to be held in Africa. So far 1,194 participants from 387 unions in 111 countries have registered to attend.
A press conference will be held tomorrow (all press are invited to attend) at 13:00 in Room MR12 of the International Convention Centre (ICC), 45 Ordnance Road, Durban. Speakers will include ITF General Secretary David Cockroft; Satawu President Ezrom Mabyana; and Satawu General Secretary Randall Howard.
Congress determines the ITF’s direction for the next four years, and this year’s theme is Organising Globally: Fighting for our Rights. It also elects the ITF’s President, Vice-Presidents, General Secretary and Executive Board.
ITF General Secretary David Cockroft commented: “Congress provides a direction for the efforts of countless transport worker activists working in a globalised economy that can’t exist without the transport links they provide. This gives us massive potential for change that can only be achieved when transport unions worldwide link together. This is what we mean by ‘Organising Globally.”
“Congress is a huge undertaking, but one we embrace willingly as an opportunity to bring together trade unionists from around the world in a parliament for progress.”
Journalists are welcome to attend the ITF Congress. The opening ceremony and plenary sessions are all open to press. Only the internal Section meetings are private. There is a dedicated web press area at www.itfglobal.org/congress/pressarea.cfm where you can find free downloadable photos, press releases, the history of the congress, speaker biographies and more. A general guide to the ITF’s 41st Congress, how it works and what will be discussed can be found at www.itfglobal.org/congress/index.cfm where daily updates and interviews will appear.
ENDS
ITF Congress 2006, International Convention Centre,Durban, South Africa.
August 2 to 9.
Press Pack
Contents
What is the ITF?
What is the ITF Congress?
Press facilities
Congress timetable
Congress 2006 visitor numbers
Photos
Speaker notes
Congress on the web
How to get there
Practical information
Previous ITF Congresses
What is the ITF?
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is a global organisation representing around four and a half million transport workers worldwide. Unions – currently 624 from 142 countries – affiliate to the ITF, which is able to carry their interests into the global arena.
Founded in London in 1896 the ITF is one of 10 Global Union Federations.
More details: www.itfglobal.org/about-us/moreabout.cfm
What is the ITF Congress?
The four yearly Congress is the ITF’s supreme decision making event, at which delegates from its affiliated trade unions are able to vote to determine the course the ITF will take until the next congress. It elects the ITF’s Executive Board, President, Vice Presidents and General Secretary; approves – or not – the organisation’s last four years’ work; and sets the agenda for the next four years. It also approves reports from the ITF’s industrial sections, which meet during the congress. The event is open to delegates, observers, press and public.
Press facilities
Journalists are welcome to attend Congress. The opening ceremony and plenary sessions are all open to media. Only the internal Section meetings are private. Please register at the entrance when you first arrive. There is a dedicated online press area at www.itfglobal.org/congress/pressarea.cfm
Congress timetable
Please see www.itfglobal.org/congress/calendar.cfm
Congress 2006 visitor numbers
1,194 participants from 387 unions in 111 countries have registered for the event.
Photos
Downloadable photos will be posted at www.itfglobal.org/congress/gallery.cfm Please feel free to use these gratis. We ask that where possible you use the credit ‘ITF’.
Speaker notes
For biographies of speakers please go to www.itfglobal.org/congress/speakerbiogs.cfm
Congress on the Web
www.itfglobal.org/congress is being updated continuously for the duration of Congress, and features daily notices, articles and interviews, as well as a complete calendar and list of motions and resolutions. Users can read meeting documents online, download materials, and find other useful information by clicking on a meeting and following the available links.
How to get there: venue information
The website of the International Convention Centre is www.icc.co.za
Practical information
For information on hotel bookings, passport requirements etc please see www.itfglobal.org/congress/practical.cfm
Previous ITF Congresses
A full list of the ITF’s previous Congresses, from the first in London in 1896 to the most recent, in Vancouver in 2002, is at www.itfglobal.org/congress/previouscongress.cfm
ENDS
For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk
International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org
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