ILO Essay Competition on the Future of Work

Open to Undergraduate students from the University of the West Indies, University of Trinidad and Tobago, University of Belize, University of Guyana and all other Caribbean universities.

The "Future of Work Initiative" is the centrepiece of the ILO's activities to mark its centenary in 2019.


The International Labour Organization (ILO) announces its Essay Competition on The Future of Work to celebrate its 100 Anniversary. Undergraduate students from the University of the West Indies, University of Trinidad and Tobago, University of Belize, University of Guyana and all other Caribbean universities are invited to participate and submit their entries by June 28, 2019 at 23:59, GMT-4 to essay@ilo.org

Background

The world of work is undergoing a major process of change. Such process is synthetized in the report of the ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work launched in January 2019. Amongst others, the report highlights how  “technological advances- artificial intelligence, automation and robotics – will create new jobs, but those who will lose their jobs in this transition may be the least equipped to seize the new opportunities(..)”; “ today’s skills will not match the jobs of tomorrow and newly acquired skills may quickly become obsolete”; possible shifts toward “greening of our economies will create millions of jobs as we adopt sustainable practices and clean technologies but other jobs may disappear as countries scale back their carbon – and resource – intensive industries” and “ changes in demographics will not be less significant: “ expanding youth populations in some parts of the world and ageing populations in others may place pressure on labour markets and social security systems, yet in these shifts lie new possibilities to afford care and inclusive, active societies”. The reports conclude by inviting ILO Constituents to “seize the opportunities presented by these transformative changes to create a brighter future and deliver economic security, equal opportunity and social justice – and ultimately reinforce the fabric of our societies.”    

The winning essay prize

The winner of the competition will receive a full scholarship inclusive of tuition, subsistence allowance and travel to attend the summer academy on “The Future of Work”, 12–23 August, 2019 At The International Training Center of the ILO (ITC-ILO), Turin, Italy. For more information on ITC-ILO, visit www.itcilo.org

Criteria for selecting winning essay

  1. Quality/ Accuracy of the analysis (from a research/scientific standpoint). Correct and complete analysis of existing literature and data, combined with reference to international (labour) standards and related concepts will be valued. Plagiarism will lead to automatic disqualification. (35%)
  2. Originality of proposed solutions/critical thinking. Relevance to the Caribbean economy, society and social well-being (50%)
  3. Quality of writing and utilization of correct technical wording (15%)

Panel of judges

The essays will be evaluated by a panel of judges representing governments, employers and workers from the Caribbean region.

More information about the ILO Centenary can be accessed through the following link:https://www.ilo.org/100/en/

Contact information

Should you have any question/s please do not hesitate to contact Ms Vanessa Phala or Ms Jennifer Jones-Morales at essay@ilo.org