2025

The aim of the school was to establish links between the work of academics engaged in labour studies and the labour movement and the action and militant work of trade unionists and grassroots activists. Mixed roundtables were held on the following themes, among others: just transition; economic planning and industrial restructuring; investigative labour journalism; art and labour; labour law and activism; collective organising strategies; social reproduction, care and feminism; knowledge building with workers. Discussions on these themes were integrated with workshops led by the participants with the aim of identifying new areas of debate on issues related to workers' education, climate change, the development of capitalist and corporate organising systems, institutional and grassroots action by trade unions, among other issues relevant to contemporary labour movement action and organising (full programme with more details attached).

In terms of the personal experience of the participants, the school has been, for all of them, a fruitful, enriching and unique experience. Rosalia Pellegrini from the Asociacion mujeres de la tierra de Argentina, for example, highlights the pedagogical dimension, ‘far from the competitive logics of the academic world or the disputes between organisations, this space is closer to a pedagogy of mutual learning, of attentive listening, of collective care’.

Others stressed the uniqueness of mixed learning and socialising experience “The LTS overcame my expectations. I thought it would have been more theoretical, but, as a matter of fact, it was very much pragmatical. I appreciated a lot the safe space we had to exchange our opinions”. “The school met my expectations — and even went beyond them — especially for the space given to plural voices and for not highlighting differences between academics and non-academics. I appreciated the openness to self-organised sessions, the room left for diverse activities, the focus on sharing and building relationships, and the choice of venue, which was full of beauty, nature and political significance”. “LTS was a quite a life changing and nurturing experience. The combination of getting to hear such varied and inspiring experiences and in a place with such a glorious natural landscape was one-of-a-kind experience. I am very thankful that relating to one-another by way of socialising, walking, hiking, eating, enjoying music and dance etc. was given an equal space alongside with learning and sharing. That all of these form life experiences in totality, and can be imagined and realised in a learning experience was very gratifying

With these encouraging results we will continue to organise other editions of the school!!!