e – DISCUSSION ON JOBS, DECENT WORK AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH
An e-Discussion on 鈥淛obs, Decent Work and Inclusive Growth鈥� was held from 8 February to 16 March, organized by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), UN Development Programme (UNDP) and International Labour Organization (ILO).聽
- Letter of invitation from Mr. Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and Secretary-General for the Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20); Ms. Helen Clark, Administrator, UN Development Programme (UNDP); Mr. Juan Somavia, Director-General, International Labour Organization (ILO)
- Summary Report of the E-discussion
The e-discussion generated 148 contributions from more than 90 countries, presenting an opportunity for the international development community to formulate critical policy messages and elements for an action agenda to the UN Economic and Social Council’s 2012 Annual Ministerial Review on productive capacity, employment and decent work.聽
The e-discussion focused on four broad topics divided into two phases in order to generate participants’ perspectives on country experiences and best practices on the following: (1) decent work and employment as a strategy for crisis recovery and poverty reduction; (2) the role of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in job creation; (3) employment and decent work in a context of inclusive growth; and (4) women and young people’s labour market participation.聽 Although a number of recommendations arose from the discussion, several key messages emerged, including the following:
- To place employment and decent work at the centre of growth and development strategies. 聽
- To promote full and productive employment for all, with a specific focus on women and young people.
- To create an enabling environment in which micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) can thrive.
- To focus on the quality of jobs and livelihoods to ensure inclusive growth.
- To highlight the importance of jobs, inclusive growth and decent work on the international development agenda.聽
Phase I (8 Feb - 25 Feb),聽moderated by Stephen Pursey, Director of the Policy Integration Department and Senior Adviser to the Director-General of ILO. Participants discussed public policies to support aggregate demand, foster enterprise development and create decent jobs.
Phase II (26 Feb 鈥� 16 March), moderated by Selim Jahan, Director of Poverty Practice at UNDP. Participants discussed strategies for job creation under conditions of inclusive growth.
For more information about the 2012 e-Discussion, please contact Mr. Gregory Barrett at barrettg@un.org or +1 917 367 2048.