HISTORY OF THE

WORLD UNION OF PROFESSIONS (WUP)

 

 

The professions present in International Institutions

 

The representatives of 24 national or multinational interprofessional organisations met in Paris on 24 and 25 September 1987 on the initiative of the UNAPL (French Union of Professions) which organised and hosted the event.

 

It was a grand premiere and 22 international uniprofessional organisations also gave their support to:

 

THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE PROFESSIONS

 

It was imperative to meet up and organise ourselves to make our voice heard.

 

Indeed, going beyond differences due to latitude, tradition and culture, the professions all speak the same intellectual “language” and are moved by the same ideal:

 

Protecting people, their rights, health and environment.

 

To work effectively together to defend these essential values, we needed an international structure.

 

THE WORLD UNION OF PROFESSIONS

was created that day with the mission of representing this socioeconomic sector on the international scene.

 

What a long way we have come since 25 September 1987.

 

1988: contacts, approaches and visits to intergovernmental organisations: United Nations Organisation (UNO), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), International Labour Organisation (ILO); Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); World Health Organisation (WHO); World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO); General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT); United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD); Council of Europe, Human Rights League.

 

WUP delegation to the UN in New York, Geneva and Vienna.

WUP statutes drafted and voted by the General Meeting in Geneva on 19 October 1988.

Many national interprofessional organisations and international uniprofessional organisations became members.

“Message” newsletter created.

 

1989: many contacts with international institutions.

First WUP Congress held in Montreal, Canada (29 August to 1 September) hosted by the Quebec Interprofessional Council. The Motion on the “right to counsel” and the Declaration on “a high degree of professional training” were passed unanimously.

 

1990: WUP attended major professional events in Rio de Janeiro, Dakar, Tunis and Lisbon.

 

We took a stand on various projects affecting the professions, especially with GATT.

 

1991 and 1992: we took a stand on the delicate negotiations on services within GATT and on the draft European directive on the liability of service providers.

 

Liaison with UNESCO, WIPO and the Human Rights League.

 

WUP was granted consultative status with WIPO and UNESCO.

 

Many new members.

 

1993, a MAJOR EVENT:

At its 22 March to 2 April session, the NGO Committee of United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) recommended that this high international authority accept WUP’s application for consultative status, category II.

 

In its July 1993 session in Geneva, ECOSOC granted WUP this status (under article 16b, Resolution 1296 (XLIV) of ECOSOC of 23 May 1968).

 

This decision consolidated WUP’s representative status. It shows that the professions are perceived as a specific economic and social sector at international level.

 

1994: 2nd WUP Congress in Tunis, 21-22 April. 20 national delegations, 2 multinational organisations and 11 international uniprofessional unions attended.

 

Theme: “The Professions in 2000: Fighting for Humanity” explored the role of the professions in relation to individuals, human groups and the human community as a whole.

 

The Tunis Declaration, passed unanimously, asserted that the professions are united on the principles of independence, responsibility, ethics – particularly secrecy – which are their common heritage. It claimed the role of “social partner”.

 

1995: WUP chairman addressed the plenary meeting of the ILO on 14 June. WUP served on UNESCO committees and the OECD “Professional Services” workshop. Head office was transferred to 38, rue Boissière, Paris 16, and office equipment installed.

 

1996: Executive Council meeting in Brasilia, 11-12 April, hosted by the Confederação Nacional das Profissões Liberais in Brazil (CNPL).

 

Petition sent to WTO and to the governments of member states on 12 April.

June: attended the plenary session of ILO in Geneva and addressed the meeting.

Chairman spoke at the Congress of CLAPU (Confederação Latino Americana de Profissionais Universitários) in Santiago, Chile, 7 and 9 November.

WUP Secretary General attended the ILO Business Forum, Geneva, 8-9 November.

Statutory meetings at the Interprofessional Centre in Geneva on 2-3 December, hosted by the Swiss organisation.

ILO and WTO delegates attended meetings of the Executive Council, Consultative Committee and the General Meeting.

 

New members: “Federación de Colegios Profesionales Universitarios de Honduras” (FECOPRUH), “World Council for Psychotherapy”, “Union Béninoise des Professions Libérales”.

 

1997: meeting in Rio de Janeiro on 24-25-26 March to prepare the 3rd WUP Congress to be held in that beautiful city, 14-17 April 1998.

 

First International Forum of Professions in the Middle East held at the Dead Sea, Israel, 7-10 April, in partnership with MECOP (Middle East Cooperation Organisation for Professionals) under the aegis of UNESCO.

 

The forum led to the signature of a final declaration by the chairmen of WUP and MECOP recommending “the use of all ways and means to reinforce exchanges and cooperation between all the professions in the region”. A committee was formed to prepare a regional conference for professionals in the Middle East at the end of 1998.

 

Executive Council meeting held in Paris, 26 September, the day of WUP’s 10th anniversary. Anniversary certificates presented.

 

1998: 3 February, the Extraordinary General Meeting modified the statutes to give uniprofessional organisations “active member” status on the same basis as national interprofessional organisations.

 

15-17 April, 3rd WUP Congress held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 250 delegates from active members of the Union, and representatives of 20 interprofessional and 9 uniprofessional organisations discussed the “challenge for the professions faced with technological, economic and social powers.”

 

They warned that such powers, if uncontrolled, can threaten the identity, health, rights, culture and environment of individual human beings.

 

Professionals were urged to denounce the dangers that new technologies, economic globalisation and social deficiencies could cause. They were asked to promote a future in the service of humanity as part of their everyday practices and in their activities as responsible beings.

 

The Meeting elected as Chairman Mr Luis Eduardo Gauterio Gallo, Chairman of the National Confederation of Professions in Brazil. The Executive Council was appointed for a further four year term.

 

The Meeting appointed Maître Alain Tinayre and Mr Henry Salmon as Honorary Chairmen.

 

WUP opened a website.

 

1999, 10 June, Geneva, Chairman Gauterio Gallo addressed the 87th annual conference of the ILO, insisting on the right to protection of professional secrecy and the confidentiality of personal data, and expressing his concern over the worldwide problem of child labour and the exploitation of children, especially in the performance of dangerous tasks.

 

12 October, the Chairman met the heads of WIPO, reminded them of the Rio de Janeiro Declaration and the importance of intellectual property, especially in protecting citizens’ rights, and in the development of humanism and culture.

 

15 October, Paris, meeting of the Executive Council which presented a petition to the WTO, insisting on the sector of the professions that does not belong under “trade in services”, that the division into “professional services” and “business services” is the right direction, taking note of the Trade and Services Council’s decision to set up a “internal regulation work group” and asking to be consulted by this work group in the interests of full cooperation.

 

2000: 1-4 April, Hammamet (Tunisia), the First Mediterranean Assizes of the Professions was a great success, with many countries represented (Algeria, Belgium, Brazil, Ivory Coast, Spain, France, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Togo, Tunisia and Yemen), a wide range of professions and interesting discussions.

 

The Executive Council met during these days. The General Meeting re-elected Chairman Luis Eduardo Gauterio Gallo for a second two-year term.

 

2001: 22 October, the Executive Council, in Paris, approved publication by WUP of the proceedings of the First Mediterranean Assizes of the Professions, in French and Arabic.

 

Chairman Gauterio Gallo reported on his address to the 89th conference of the ILO in Geneva on 11 June, on the subject of “decent work”.

The Chairman, the General Delegate and the Treasurer went to WTO and WIPO.

 

2002: 25 January, Paris, an elective meeting elected as WUP chairman Dr Christian Rondeau, a veterinary surgeon, Chairman of the French Order of Veterinary Surgeons and a member of the European-Arab Veterinary Association.

 

Jacqueline Socquet Clerc Lafont, a lawyer, Chairwoman of the UNAPL France, was appointed Secretary General and Dr Faouzi Kechrid, a veterinary surgeon, was appointed Treasurer.

 

14 February, WUP responded to decisions by the WTO on the structure and chairmanship of the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) which, in the next three years, will be negotiating with various groups, especially on services and intellectual property.

 

The WUP emphasised that the particularity of the professions must be recognised and respected during the negotiations. It wishes to be consulted and heard on the need for a horizontal approach to the general disciplines involved in professional services.

 

WUP asked all its members to bring these rules and this decision to the attention of the appropriate authorities in each country who will be negotiating with the WTO.

 

5 April, in a press release “What if civilians took over from politicians and the military?” the WUP recalled that, in partnership with MECOP, it had facilitated a meeting between Israeli and Palestinian professionals on the shores of the Dead Sea, in April 1997, under the eyes of professionals from Africa, South America and Europe. Surely that was a sign that a true peace process – working towards peace of mind – was then under way?

 

WUP still wants to believe that these professions, who practice the same disciplines, share the same values and use the same skills – fundamental values in the service of mankind – will be able to make their voices heard so that the heads of states will put a stop to the fighting and restore hope in the peace process.

 

14 June, Chairman Rondeau attended the 90th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva.

 

The 4th Congress and the 15th anniversary of the WUP will be held in the ILO conference rooms in Paris on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 November 2002.