Résumés
Abstract
This article presents an analysis of the development of a trade union education program in Sierra Leone in the geo-historical context of British colonialism. It places the argument in relation to the contradictory trends of trade unionism more generally and alongside their antagonistic cooperation with capitalism. It discusses the limits and potentialities of a radical pedagogy when trade unions are constrained to engage with existing power structures that use English as the dominant language. It places more theoretical arguments within the context of a country characterized by major inequalities and facing the neo-liberal challenges of globalization and a trade union movement seeking to be representative of an informal workforce but rooted in the formal economy.
Résumé
Cet article propose une analyse de l’élaboration d’un programme de formation syndicale en Sierra Leone dans le contexte géohistorique du colonialisme britannique. Il situe le débat en abordant de manière générale les tendances contradictoires de la formation syndicale et, en parallèle, la coopération conflictuelle avec le capitalisme. Il aborde les limites et les perspectives d’une pédagogie radicale lorsque les organisations syndicales sont contraintes à collaborer avec des structures décisionnelles privilégiant l’anglais comme langue de travail. Il situe plusieurs questionnements théoriques dans le contexte d’un pays reconnu pour ses inégalités profondes et qui fait face aux défis néolibéraux de la mondialisation et d’un mouvement syndical désireux de représenter une main-d’oeuvre informelle, mais qui est à la fois ancrée dans l’économie officielle.
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Acknowledgements
This manuscript is indebted to the work of my colleague Barbara Tully who was the Northumbria University English language tutor working jointly on the program. It could never have been written without her contribution and without the engagement of the trade unionists in Sierra Leone, particularly, Muluku Tarawally, Max Conteh, Gladys Branch and Jennings Wright as well as the course tutor Kenneth Osho and Abubakar Kargbo. I would like to thank the British Council for funding the development of the Certificate program at Fourah Bay College but must emphasize that the views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author alone.
Biographical note
JOHN STIRLING has recently retired as Head of Social Sciences at Northumbria University, UK. He taught employment relations and trade union studies and has worked with trade unions in Sierra Leone since 1989.
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Parties annexes
Note biographique
JOHN STIRLING a récemment pris sa retraite comme directeur du département des sciences sociales de l’Université Northumbria au Royaume-Uni. Il a enseigné les relations de travail et l’étude des syndicats et collabore avec des associations syndicales en Sierra Leone depuis 1989.