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Twenty-three participants representing the tripartite constituents of the ILO from nineteen countries attended the Annual Internship Course on Labour and Social Policies for Decent Work, organized by the International Institute for Labour Studies between 14 May and 3 June 2009.
The main purpose of the Course was to strengthen the knowledge base on decent work and to enhance the capacity of participants to contribute to labour and social policy development in their respective countries. The course focused attention on: (a) providing the most updated information on the component of decent work agenda available in the ILO especially as regards the current financial and economic crisis; (b) enhancing awareness of ILO principles and programmes; (c) encouraging an integrated approach to social and economic policies for decent work; and (d) stimulating a cross-national exchange of views and experiences among ILO constituents.
The Course covered a range of themes in relation to the ILO’s work. During the first two days, participants were given greater exposure to the ILO as an international organization having a special mandate, and to the concept of decent work, its different dimensions, and how it can be measured. The following weeks were devoted to a further exploration of several cross-cutting themes related to the four pillars of decent work: Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, Employment, Social Protection and Social Dialogue. Against the backdrop of the ongoing financial and economic crisis, many of the lectures and discussions addressed how to tackle the crisis through decent work policies.
The course placed an emphasis on group work by the participants to complement the presentations by ILO staff and external speakers from the academic community. Participants were encouraged to build on the results of group exercises and to evaluate the state of decent work in their countries. Each participant prepared a presentation on an example of a good practice from their country in terms of the promotion of decent work. These were presented in a plenary seminar held during the final days of the course.
As in previous years, field visits were also organized in connection with the course. Participants visited the Geneva Offices of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the International Organization of Employers (IOE). This year, participants also visited the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, and the site of the Swiss-based company Caran d’Ache. Course participants also attended the opening ceremonies of the 98th Session of the International Labour Conference.
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