On September 12-14, 2012, the 25th Congress of the Eurasian Association of University Trade Union Organizations, dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the association “Trade Unions in the Global World: State and Trends”, was held at Moscow State University.
Heads of trade union organizations of employees or students from 48 universities of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Russia, the Republic of Abkhazia, Lithuania and the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, representing 59 primary trade union organizations, took part in the congress.
The first plenary session of the congress was held in the hall of the Cultural Center of Moscow State University, in the same place where the scientific-practical conference “Experience in restructuring the work of university trade union organizations” of chairmen of trade union organizations of the country, which gave birth to the Association, was held 25 years ago.
After the opening of the plenary session, the President of the Eurasian Association of Universities, Academician V.A. Sadovnichy was the first to make welcoming remarks. He highly appreciated the contribution of the association to the practical implementation of Eurasian ideas in the field of education and science, to the preservation and development of a common educational space and humanitarian cooperation, to mastering the experience of reforming higher education.
The President of the association, Chairman of the United Trade Union of Moscow State University, I. Kotlobovsky, spoke at the plenary session of the XXV Congress with the report “Trade Unions in the Global World: State and Trends”. He presented the results of the Association for 25 years, outlined the objectives of the association at the present stage of reforming the higher education system in the CIS countries and issues that need to be discussed at the congress.
In his report, the vice-president of the association, chairman of the trade union organization of the Kiev National University named after Taras Shevchenko, V. Tsvykh spoke about the role of trade unions in the modern world, the need to change the scope of trade unions in the information society.
Chairman of the trade union organization of the Grodno State University I. Kerget spoke on the situation in the trade union organizations of Belarus. He made a presentation of the Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno and on behalf of the Rector Ye. Rovby and the trade union organization of the University invited to hold the next Congress in Grodno.
M. Babayev spoke on behalf of the trade union organization of Baku State University (Azerbaijan). He spoke in details about the level of remuneration and scholarship at the universities of the republic, about the role of the trade union organization of Baku State University in protecting the social interests of education and science workers.
In the second half of the first day of the congress, the work took place in two sections. The tasks of improving the activities of trade union organizations of the universities and the association in the context of the internationalization of education and the deepening of humanitarian cooperation between universities were discussed at the section of trade union organizations of university staff. The session of the section was held in a unique place – the rotunda of the main building of Moscow State University on the 31st floor. Before the meeting, the director of the Museum of Geography, Moscow State University, A.V. Smurov, addressed the audience.
The main objectives of the agreement are to develop cooperation in the field of protecting the rights and interests of workers and students – members of trade union organizations of universities, implementation of joint social, scientific, educational, youth programs, mass cultural and physical culture and recreational activities, including interregional and international level, exchange experience in the organization of trade union work in universities. To achieve these goals, joint training activities for the trade union activists will be held, informational and methodological materials will be exchanged on the organization of trade union work at universities.
The discussion continued on the second day of the 25th Congress during the second plenary session. It took place on the ship “Ivan Kalita” during a trip along the Moscow River. The following speakers made speeches at the meeting: I. B. Kotlobovsky (Moscow State University named after M. Lomonosov), E. Sivaikin (Lithuanian Trade Union League), L. N. Vladimirov (Voronezh State University), S. A. Sagalakov (Siberian Federal University), E.R. Karachalov (Kyrgyz National University named after J. Balasagyn), V.G. Gayvoronsky (Southern Federal University), M.F. Bareysha (Belarusian State Economic University), N.I. Rabazanov (Dagestan State University)
A total of 30 reports, presentations and messages were made at the congress. The draft resolution of the congress was presented by the editorial committee composed of V.A. Vasilyev (Chuvash State University named after I.N. Ulyanov), Yu.R. Spirina (Kemerovo State University), N.M. Radevich (Belarusian State University). Delegates unanimously adopted the Resolution of the Congress.
Following the discussion of the statements of trade union organizations, six trade union organizations (5 students’ and one employees’) of 5 universities were accepted into the association: Mogilev State University, Vitebsk State Technological University, Vitebsk State University named after P. Masherov, Belarusian State Economic University and Abkhaz State university.
The following organizational issues were resolved at the congress: the President of the association was elected —I.B. Kotlobovsky, Vice-Presidents of the Association: S.G. Eremeyev, N.M. Radevich, V. F. Tsvykh. A new composition of the Presidium was elected.
A booklet on the history and results of the activities of the Eurasian Association of Trade Union Organizations of Universities was published for the anniversary congress of the EATUOU. By the decision of the Presidium, certificates were issued to all affiliates of the Association.
