History

100 International Labour Conferences

ILC 26th Session, Philadelphia, 1944

1919-2011: ILO Conferences in changing times


Although the ILO is not yet 100 years old, this year the International Labour Conference meets for its 100th Session. The reason for this is that the Organization has, at ten-year intervals, held two Conferences in one year, one of which has been a Maritime Labour Conference. Thus, while still several years from the 100th, key actors in the real economy – governments, employers and workers – is meeting for the 100th time.
The ILO has played a role at key historical junctures – the Great Depression, decolonization, the creation of Solidarność in Poland, the victory over apartheid in South Africa – and today in the building of an ethical and productive framework for a fair globalization. The 100th Session of the International Labour Conference in June 2011 is an occasion to look back at some of its landmark sessions since 1919.
> Read more on 100 Conferences from the World of Work Magazine

Photos

  1. H.M. Queen Rania of Jordan

    Historical pictures

    Special guests of the International Labour Conference since 1964.

ILO's history

  1. Albert Thomas, first ILO Director-General

    The quest for social justice

    The ILO was created in 1919, in the aftermath of the First World War, to reflect the belief that universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based on social justice.

ILO century project

  1. Sharing knowledge on ILO history

    The ILO will complete its 100 years of existence in 2019. The Century Project has been created to prepare for this anniversary by developing the knowledge of ILO's history and its role in specific historical moments.