GENEVA (ILO News) - In a new initiative to implement the Programme of Action of the World Summit on Social Development (Copenhagen 1995), the International Labour Office (ILO) today announced the immediate launch of a new programme aimed at promoting sustainable human development at the local and national level.
Initially to be funded by a 15 billion lira (US$ 7.5 million) grant from the Government of Italy, the "Universitas" programme will seek to promote decent work through training of development officials and ILO social partners in some 15 developing countries in Central America, the Mediterranean, West Bank and Gaza, the Balkans and Africa. The ILO said additional countries were expected to eventually participate in funding the project.
The emphasis of the programme will be on providing appropriate training in innovative mechanisms and tools to advance the objectives of decent work at the local and national levels.
Training is to centre on employment creation, development of health care systems and fundamental rights at work. It is aimed at creating social development capacity at the local level to augment national development plans while including an emphasis on social protection, core labour standards and the strengthening of social dialogue.
The programme and the Trust Fund agreement were prepared by a Joint Task Force set up by the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Lamberto Dini, and the ILO in February 2000. The partnership programme will involve the ILO, donors, other UN agencies, the ILO's constituents in the recipient countries and other development stakeholders.
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