The ILO estimates that nearly eight out of ten working poor live in rural areas, where many are engaged in vulnerable employment, especially in agriculture. Young people – 85 per cent of whom are living in developing countries and mostly in rural areas– account for a disproportionate share (23.5 per cent) of the working poor.1- Most child labourers are found in agriculture, accounting for 59 per cent or over 98 million; 2- forced labour, too, is prevalent in agriculture and remote rural areas. The impact of the gender gap on agricultural productivity is revealing as well.
Rural poverty has numerous root causes, ranging from climate change, natural resource degradation, conflict, weak institutions, poor agricultural conditions and trade-related challenges. Rural poverty is a driver of a host of social problems, including hunger and malnutrition, poor working conditions and exploitation of children.
In this context, the ILO in partnership with FAO and UNIDO join forces in promoting decent work for youth in the Academy on Rural Development.
The rural economy holds considerable potential for economic growth, employment creation and promotion of decent work if the right policies are in place. The ILO’s Decent Work Agenda, as an integrated rights-based development strategy, supports tripartite constituents in their efforts to promote sustainable rural livelihoods. The portfolio of policy guidance notes that will be presented at the Academy illustrates the ILO’s holistic approach to promoting decent work in the rural economy and brings together the broad range of instruments and tools developed over the past years.
The ILO approach includes the promotion of decent work at the base of the supply chain comprising agro-food supply chains which are an important source of livelihoods for young people. The ILO follows a twin-track approach, including promoting access to supply chains and the market, and promoting decent work for those young rural workers already engaged.
FAO places particular attention on new opportunities emerging for young people to start up and run profitable agribusinesses by taking advantage of transforming rural and agricultural markets, higher demand and prices, more integrated supply chains, greater rural-urban connectivity in many areas and exponential growth in urban markets.
UNIDO promotes new market opportunities through the creation of export consortia, quality certification, export logistics, value addition and modern technologies for better generation of sustainable jobs and income opportunities.
Objectives
It provides an opportunity to be exposed to a range of integrated approaches, tools and training packages with the objective to achieve decent work for youth towards sustainable, inclusive and thriving rural economies.
The participants of this Academy will be able to:
acquire tools and practical methods, successfully designed and tested in other national or regional contexts, and adaptable to their own environment;
share experiences and knowledge with individuals and/or organizations with common interests in rural development;
gain a deeper understanding of the roles of policy makers, including workers and employers organizations required for the promotion of integrated rural development.
Who should attend?
The Academy is especially designed for:
ILO’s tripartite constituents (government officials, representatives of employers' and workers’ organizations)
UN staff (field offices, projects and headquarters) whose work is related to rural economies.
The Academy might also be of interest for policy makers, practitioners and other professionals representing:
donor agencies and international organizations;
private and social enterprises;
universities and civil society organizations.
Structure, methods and contents
The five days programme consists of a combination of:
cutting-edge topics presented and discussed in a series of classes facilitated by ILO, other UN Agencies and leading international and national experts;
structured knowledge-sharing opportunities, making use of interactive learning methodologies;
a range of elective workshops offering additional insight into specific subjects, testing tools and training packages;
study visits to innovative rural initiatives.
Language requirements
The Academy is offered in English and Arabic.
Participation Costs
This Academy is organized and funded by the ILO Cairo in partnership with the International Training Centre of the ILO, FAO and UNIDO. Participation in the Academy is subject to approval by the selection committee. Confirmed participants will be provided with an official invitation to the Academy. Participants are requested to cover their travel, board and lodging costs.
