The World Commission: Origins and Working Methods

The World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization was established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in February 2002.

The Commission was an independent body. It was initiated to respond to the needs of people as they cope with the unprecedented changes that globalization has brought to their lives, their families, and the societies in which they live.

The Commission looked at the various facets of globalization, the diversity of public perceptions of the process, and its implications for economic and social progress. It searched for innovative ways of combining economic, social and environmental objectives, based on worldwide expertise. It has made its recommendations seeking to build upon a broad understanding among all key actors. The Commission's final report was released on 24 February 2004.

This section provides you with a link to the website of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization. It offers a detailed overview of the process leading up to the final Report, including national and regional dialogues, consultations and an ideas bank.

The World Commission officially ended its work once the Report was released, but a number of the Commissioners, including the two Co-Chairs, are actively involved in a range of initiatives related to the follow-up of the Report's recommendations. These can be found in the follow-up section of this website.