A national roundtable calls For a Fair Globalization for the Russian Federation

The Roundtable was held at the Smolny Palace, St. Petersburg A TV interview between sessions: Lord Brett, Commissioner

“We should take the opportunity provided to us by the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization to contribute to the global attempt of finding ways for shaping a better future to our people. Our ultimate goal is to develop a comprehensive and coherent national strategy to cope with the challenge of globalization, which will enable the Russian Federation to direct the process of globalization in a socially responsible way and maximizing its benefits while minimizing its transitional costs”, it was said in the address on behalf of Valentina Matvienko, Governor of St. Petersburg and a member of the World Commission, to the participants of the national roundtable discussion of A Fair Globalization for the Russian Federation that was held in St. Petersburg today.

A national dialogue on globalization issues started in Russia in 2002, when the International Labour Organization (ILO) established the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization. This year the Commission published its report A Fair Globalization: Creating Opportunities for All , which was presented at the St. Petersburg roundtable for discussion.

At the beginning of the meeting the participants stood for a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of the recent terrorist attacks n Russia – bombings in the streets of Moscow and onboard two Russian airplanes, and seizure of the school in the town of Beslan, North Ossetia. It was said in the dialogue that those tragic events were just another proof of how appropriate it is to discuss globalization issues, including the threat of the global terrorism, and to make practical recommendations.

In the recent years globalization in Russia was mostly discussed in relation to the forthcoming country’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO)/ Taking into consideration the experience of the International Labour Organization in the field of social development, the Government of the Russian Federation requested the ILO to assist in assessing the social consequences of the WTO accession. The participants to the roundtable called this assistance very useful/ While assessing possible benefits and opportunities of full membership in the WTO, many speakers noted that continuous consultations between the government, trade unions and employers will allow to better assess the situation, identify the most vulnerable groups and regions and to take the necessary measures to mitigate the social impact of the WTO accession.

The participants supported the renewed role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and with emphasis on poverty eradication and employment creation. They expressed their entire commitment and support to the Decent Work Agenda initiated by the ILO.

Taking part in the roundtable were Mikhail Shmakov, Chairman of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia, Oleg Eremeev, Chairman of the Coordinating Council of Employers’ Unions of Russia, representatives of the government, international and nongovernmental organizations, ILO officials, academia.

Speaking at the roundtable, Lord Brett, WCSDG Commissioner, said that “the Commissioners have sought to stimulate discussion and consideration of the report and its important conclusions on every continent. It is important to get the support of those who participated in the dialogues held during the World Commission’s two years deliberations and the reactions to the report in different regions of the world. In this context the meeting in St. Petersburg on the 13th September is of great significance”.

At the end of September the World Commission report will be presented for the consideration by the United Nations General Assembly within the context of reviewing the progress of achieving the Development Goals and the Millennium Declaration, and the outcome of the Russian meeting will make a valuable contribution to formulating concrete actions to guide and shape the just process of globalization.

Concluding communique (PDF , 76 Kb)