With the presence of Anna Biondi, ACTRAV Deputy Director and Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary, the webinar was attended by 140 participants from Asia Pacific, Africa and Arab countries, Europe and Inter-America in a meeting space that celebrated the realization of this pioneering experience of education for trade unions in the public sector and public services in the world, with PSI as a key player.

Rosa Pavanelli emphasised the relevance of the course at this important moment, after two decades of pressure on workers' rights, when the International Labour Organization, despite the correlation of forces, has taken significant steps in the recognition of rights, such as the adoption of Convention 190 on violence and harassment in 2019 and the integration of health and safety as part of the fundamental principles and rights in 2022.

"This initiative demonstrates that we have a vision for the future that seeks to overcome and transcend the attacks of austerity policies, giving our unions the tools to make effective the inextricable link between health and safety and a world of work free from violence and harassment in public services, whose workers continue to demonstrate that they are key players in protecting their communities, while at the same time needing to be protected".

Pavanelli declared the course formally open, welcoming the broad participation of PSI affiliates globally and encouraging them to expand this experience within the public services thus consolidating a force to strengthen international labour standards around the world.

The course kicked off with a zero-week introduction of 200 participants and the virtual platform on 10 July, and the educational programme will run from 17 July to 11 August 2023.