In addition to discharging its missions
relating to international labour law and documentation, ILO developed
concrete activities in the member countries. Indeed, the problem of
adapting the international labour conventions to local and regional
conditions arose as early as 1919. This development, which was defined by
the term “regionalization”, saw the gradual establishment of regional
conferences and of a network of branch offices and national correspondents.
The first regional conference of Member States was organized in 1936, the
aim being to examine problems of particular interest in a given region. The
Santiago Conference adopted 26 resolutions relating to social security and
working conditions in countries in the Americas. Numerous points were
discussed, including:
- the fundamental principles of social insurance;
- closer ties between ILO and the countries of the Americas;
- unemployment and immigration;
- lthe working and living conditions of indigenous peoples.
This first regional conference was an undeniable success and genuinely helped
strengthen
ILO’s universal character.
