A photograph of the missing activist arrives in the office as well. Using a scanner, a computerised image is prepared. After being read by the operator on duty there, the already digitised information, including the photo, is passed on to several mailing lists. Only minutes after the information has been sent out of Brazil, it is in the electronic mailboxes of trade unionists in dozens of countries. The digitised photograph and articles about the case begin appearing in trade union newspapers within hours.
Telephones begin ringing in politicians' offices around the world.
Email messages fill up Coca-Cola's electronic mail boxes. A picket line goes up at Coca Cola headquarters in Atlanta even before the corporate officers know what's happened. Within hours, someone at Coca Cola places a quiet telephone call to someone in Brazil, and the missing activist reappears, blindfolded and a bit battered, but basically safe and sound. Such an early warning system would, I believe, do much to speed up response time, prevent duplication of effort, and yet ensure a maximum global trade union response to rights violations anywhere. This, in turn would make a major contribution to strengthening trade unions in the South, which is critical to a rebuilding of the International.