Impact and people

2007

  1. How microfinance institutions can finance lasting social change

    21 November 2007

    An estimated US$4 billion is invested annually in microfinance around the world. But while microfinance institutions must have strong business models in order to survive, they face the challenge of making profits while creating lasting social change. A new ILO study provides practitioners and donors with guidance on how to deal with the issue of balancing business and poverty reduction by defining criteria for supporting microfinance institutions.

  2. Trade unions and globalization: trends, challenges and responses

    21 November 2007

    Globalization has proved a complex and multi-faceted process for workers around the world, as are the strategies they must develop to face its challenges. A new ILO book examines some of the crucial issues facing the trade union movement...

  3. ILO Forum Marking 30th anniversary of the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles on Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy.

    15 November 2007

    This year, the ILO marks the 30th Anniversary of one of its most significant achievements – the adoption of the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy. The anniversary forms the basis for “MultiForum 07” which begins today, and brings together around 200 participants from companies, governments and labour organizations from around the world.

  4. World Diabetes Day (14 November) - Diabetes in the Workplace

    12 November 2007

    Diabetes is a disease that currently affects more than 180 million people in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this number is likely to more than double by 2030.

  5. Green Jobs and global warming: ILO to discuss new initiatives for tackling climate change in the world of work

    08 November 2007

    Climate change is widely seen as a threat to our health, our wealth and our planet. Yet, it also presents huge opportunities for the creation of new jobs aimed at mitigating its effects through energy and industrialization policies. The 300th session of the ILO’s Governing Body will consider new initiatives for tackling the issue in the world of work.

  6. Questions and answers about the ILO Forum on Decent Work for a Fair Globalization

    30 October 2007

    Political and opinion leaders from around the globe will meet in Lisbon, Portugal from 31 October to 2 November 2007 to discuss the role of decent work as the key to economic, social and environmental sustainability and a fair and inclusive globalization.

  7. Women in the workplace: New ILO report highlights how action in the world of work can help reduce maternal deaths

    16 October 2007

    Every minute of every day, a woman dies needlessly in pregnancy or childbirth. With nearly 60 per cent of the world’s women of childbearing age in the labour force in 2006, the importance of paid work in the lives of so many women makes maternity protection at work a key to safeguarding the health and economic security of women and their children. A new ILO report to be presented at an international conference in London on 18 October reviews the progress and priorities in the world of work to ensure women’s rights to safe maternity.

  8. Union education in the twenty-first century

    11 October 2007

    From 8-12 October 2007, more than 150 trade union representatives from 45 countries are meeting at ILO headquarters in Geneva to discuss ways to strengthen the capacity of trade unions to influence socio-economic policies and development strategies. Workers’ education activities are at the heart of these efforts to cope with the rapid changes in the world of work brought by globalization. ILO Online spoke with Dan Cunniah, Director a.i. of the ILO’s Bureau for Workers’ Activities.

  9. Green jobs initiative in Burkina Faso: From waste to wages

    11 October 2007

    Among the goals of the ILO’s new “Green Jobs Initiative” is linking development and job creation to the creation of a cleaner, more sustainable environment. Though the concept is relatively new, the practice is already growing in some parts of the world. ILO Online reports from Burkina Faso where a new project for removing plastic waste is not only improving the environment, but creating “green jobs” in the process.

  10. World Teachers’ Day 2007 - Teacher shortages in education: Achieving quality education for all

    04 October 2007

    It is a paradox: as the importance of education for knowledge- and information-based societies grows, the world is facing a shortage of qualified teachers. Moreover, according to some international estimates, 18 million new teachers will be needed over the next decade to meet the learning needs of all children, youth and adults by 2015 as stated in the MDGs and by the Education for All movement.