Oscar Silva for
Re-election as StreetNet President 2013-2016
I am standing for re-election because I believe I can
contribute to strengthening StreetNet's
work in a number of ways.
1: I have experience and knowledge:
These three years as StreetNet President have given me
highly valuable experience. I now
understand the strengths and weaknesses
of StreetNet’ leadership structures and management and I have had the
opportunity to meet personally many of the affiliates. I have studied the
finances of StreetNet and can understand the challenges. I think this is a real asset for StreetNet
because if I am re-elected I will have a clear plan of action to follow and
will not need to spend time learning what is going on.
2: Implementing the
strategic plan:
Last year in Bogota’s International Council, I spoke in
favor of developing a strategic plan for the organisation and I am very pleased
that as a consequence we were able to draw up the strategic plan in Durban in
December. It will be discussed and
adopted at Congress. I intend to make
sure that this plan guides the work and the budget priorities of StreetNet over
the coming 3 years.
3. Strengthening the
regional focal points:
In my opinion, StreetNet is too dependent on decision-making
at the centre. We need to delegate responsibilities and create a less
bureaucratic and more participative organisation. Affiliates want to really
part of the decision-making not just part of a formal democracy where power and
responsibility is concentrated in a few hands.
I am committed to supporting the proposed Congress resolutions which
will give seats on the International Council with voice and vote to the
representatives of the regional focal points.
4. Coordinator’s
successor:
We are all truly indebted to the work that Pat has
undertaken to build StreetNet over the last 10 years. We need to have a careful
succession plan. In my opinion, the
International Council should draw up criteria for the profile of the person we
are looking for and request applicants.
A short-list of applicants should be interviewed by the International
Council who will appoint Pat’s successor. The transition period does not have
to be very long.
5. Defending and promoting our rights:
We need to focus our work and not try and take on too many
issues. Our core work is to defend and
promote the rights of street vendors , men and women, young and old, and their
representative organisations. I think we
must make sure that everything that StreetNet does is working to achieving that
single goal.
6. Promoting
alliances and StreetNet’s visibility
StreetNet needs to strengthen its alliances with the ITUC, TUCA,
ITUC-Africa, the global unions, WIEGO and other social movements. It needs to
give visibility to the rights of street vendors at the ILO and in other
international forum.
We must carry out campaigns to promote our rights, using
the web and other social media, and we must build on the success of our 1st
International Street Vendors Day to make it a truly global annual event.
I am sure you share the same vision for StreetNet and am
asking for your support at Congress.
Oscar Silva, General Secretary of SIVARA
Trade Union of Street Vendors of
the Republic of Argentina
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