European trade union education is a key resource for shaping a European trade union identity and by extension for strengthening the European trade union movement.
There are many individual reports of the usefulness of European trade union education activities, but this is the first time that ETUI-REHS Education has commissioned an independent survey to investigate the impact of its work within the European trade union movement.
The emphasis of the survey was placed on the opinions of trade union officers and representatives who had attended ETUI-REHS courses over the last three years.
The survey results are encouraging. Course participants from all over Europe are of the opinion that ETUI-REHS courses have contributed, inter alia, to:

• improving their knowledge of and contact with other trade unions in Europe and of trade union issues at the European level;
• raising awareness of the fact that trade unions in Europe face common challenges;
• developing greater cooperation between trade unions in Europe;
• improving an understanding of the role and value of trade union organisations at the European level;
• raising awareness of the European projects as strategic tools for trade unions;
• improving skills in communicating with trade unionists from other cultures.

In addition, ETUI-REHS training trainers activities have a significant ‘multiplier effect’ and help to add a European dimension to national trade union education activities.
This was just a first step. Any further steps need to examine the question from an organisational perspective.

Jeff Bridgford