Information annex No. 6

Breakdown by means of action (at 1996-97 cost rates)

Classification by means of action

1. Resources for each technical programme are broken down in a separate budget table by means of action under each major programme. The standard classification of means of action comprises: technical meetings; research; dissemination of information; standard-setting activities; technical advisory services; service and support of technical cooperation projects; regular budget field projects; and Management, General Service support and other activities. These means of action are interrelated and the distinction between them is not always evident. Thus, it is often difficult to judge under which means of action a given activity should be shown. For example, a large proportion of the research proposed is for the preparation of reports for the Governing Body and evaluation studies; other research is designed to enable the Office to provide technical information or technical advisory services which in turn is closely linked to operational activities. The point at which one of these means of action turns into another is often difficult to determine and many activities imply several means of action in practice. The resources shown under each means of action are therefore purely indicative. Subject to this proviso, the definitions of the means of action are set out below.

Technical meetings

2. This heading covers the following types of meetings:

Sectoral meetings: meetings recommended by the Committee on Sectoral and Technical Meetings and Related Issues.

Tripartite advisory meetings: meetings attended by participants representing government, employer and worker circles with a view to advising the Governing Body on the development of future ILO programmes and policies which may command tripartite support in a given field.

Meetings of experts: meetings attended by experts appointed in their individual capacity to advise the Office and the Governing Body on a well-defined technical subject.

Symposia: meetings, the main purpose of which is to provide for an international exchange of views and experience rather than to reach agreed conclusions for consideration by the Governing Body.

Included under this heading are the direct costs (e.g. travel costs and allowances of delegates) of meetings financed by the regular budget as well as the costs involved in the preparation of the reports for the meeting, servicing the meeting and any administrative follow-up activities which may be necessary (including the records of the proceedings of the meeting). A list of all  sectoral  meetings,  tripartite  advisory  meetings and meetings of experts appears in Information annex No. 9.

Research

3. This heading covers: research activities and evaluation studies (other than periodic, mid-term or terminal evaluations of specific technical cooperation projects which are included under Service and support of technical cooperation projects); studies leading to monographs, published by or on behalf of the ILO or articles in the International Labour Review or other technical journals; and preparation of, or contributions to, reports submitted to the Governing Body and its committees, reports for the Conference other than for the adoption or supervision of standards (including reports for general discussion), and reports for other organizations and inter-agency working groups.

Dissemination of information

4. This heading covers: compilation, analysis, translation and editing of current information for recurrent publications (e.g. International Labour Review); representing the ILO at meetings outside the Office; coordinating and/or liaising with other organizations; elaboration of new training techniques, teaching aids and teaching materials (including those specifically developed for technical cooperation projects); preparation of manuals and guidelines when this involves presenting and synthesizing existing material rather than undertaking research; and responding to ad hoc requests for information.

Standard-setting activities

5. This heading covers: all work related to the development, formulation, implementation, promotion and revision of ILO Conventions and Recommendations, ILO declarations and codes of practice and standards elaborated in collaboration with other organizations and endorsed by the ILO. This includes: the preparation of reports to the Governing Body on the questions proposed for standard-setting and the preparation of reports to the Conference on the items selected; technical analysis, in collaboration with major programme 50 (International labour standards and human rights), of periodic reports on Conventions and Recommendations and other work related to the formulation, implementation and revision of standards.

Technical advisory services

6. This heading covers: responding to ad hoc requests from ILO constituents or other organizations for technical advice in the ILO’s field of competence; participation in the programming or evaluation missions of other organizations; and participation in educational activities both within the framework of ILO-sponsored projects or at the request of another institution or of ILO constituents.

Service and support of technical cooperation projects

7. This heading covers:

(a)

Programme planning and project formulation. All activities leading to the development and financing of  technical cooperation projects, including the design and development of projects; negotiations and consultations with recipients and donors; and preparation of project documents.

(b)

Project implementation. All activities of a technical or administrative nature required in support of the technical cooperation projects for which the Office has responsibility (e.g. technical supervision and evaluation, recruitment of experts, fellowships, equipment procurement, financial management).

Regular budget field projects

8. This heading covers operational activities including fellowships, operational equipment, seminars and study tours, and short-term expert assignments. The descriptions of RBTC-funded field projects contain only a general indication of the nature of these activities. Under the regular budget, some elements of the programme can be planned well in advance, but others are arranged much later, in the light of priority needs as they develop. Indicative figures for the distribution of RBTC credits are shown in the budget tables for the major programmes in the technical sector and for the regions. Further details of the proposed RBTC appropriations for all major programmes, at headquarters and in the field, are shown in Information annex No. 7.

Management, General Service support and other activities

9. This heading covers all the activities which do not correspond to any of the means of action described above. In particular it covers programme management and support and, in most programmes, General Service clerical and secretarial support.

Resource breakdown by means of action (at 1996-97 cost rates)

International Labour Organization (ILO): Contact us | Site map |

Copyright and Permissions 1996-2009 International Labour Organization (ILO) - Disclaimer