International Labour Organization, 2012

Committee Blogs
Topic 1

International Labour Organization

The promotion of green jobs in both developed and developing countries is an important goal for the International Labour Organization (ILO) in the 21st Century. The ILO states that there are two major challenges that the 21st Century presents: first, the danger of climate change and the deterioration of natural resources, and second, social development and decent work for all. Green jobs promote sustainable development so even the Least Developed Countries have a chance to develop without causing major harm to the environment. Juan Somavia, the Director General of the ILO, states, “Green jobs hold the promise of a triple dividend: sustainable enterprises, poverty reduction and a job-centered economic recovery.” The Green Jobs Programme of the ILO is currently in place because the ILO explicitly says that it wants to be the international leader in the promotion of green jobs. However, there is much room to grow. As of now there are programs for limited technical assistance and capacity building in 18 countries. Obviously, in order for the ILO to make serious progress, it needs to expand to more than just 18 countries.

The scope of the proposal will focus on developing nations because the ILO can be most effective with their technical assistance working with those nations. Green jobs can be created in many different industries and in countries with varying levels of development, so this is still a global initiative. However, in terms of social and economic development, it is much more important to focus on the developing world.

The concept of green jobs is relatively new, but has been praised in the international community. The green revolution is the future, and green jobs are at the forefront of this revolution. This topic is arguably the ILO’s greatest challenge, but also a great opportunity since its beginnings in 1919.
 

Topic 2

Equal Wages for Equal Work

Decent work in terms of gender equality is an important project for the International Labour Organization. Gender discrimination is a challenge all over the world, no matter what the development level of the nation. This issue is of particular interest in the workplace, where women face more adversity than men in almost every nation. According to the International Trade Union Confederation, women earn approximately 15.6% less money than men when working the same jobs. This does not include women that work in the informal economy as in their homes. This gap in wages is not due to a lack of expertise or training on the woman’s part, but rather due to discrimination by employers. The ILO established the Bureau for Gender Equality, which provides advice to local industries on ways to better promote gender equality in their regional locations.

This is a fascinating and very relevant issue for all nations. No country in the world has reached complete gender equality in the workplace, so it will be an interesting and relevant topic for all countries. The ILO will likely make the greatest impact in the developing world, but it is a global problem.  This topic is particularly interesting when analyzed on a global level.  There is no universal solution to promoting gender equality, because religion and culture are important factors. Nevertheless, all working women face similar issues of sexism, maternity leave, and sexual abuse.
 

Resources
Downloads: 
application/pdf iconILO.pdf
Email: 
ilo.nhsmun@imuna.org

 

Director, Ben Slocum

University of Pennsylvania

 

Assistant Director, Vittoria Grasso

Universitá Commerciale Luigi Bocconi

National High School Model United Nations | New York City, NY

2012 Committees