Today, our world is facing an unprecedented number of challenges: climate and demographic change, COVID-19, and a lack of decent work and social security, among others. Poverty, inequality, and hunger are on the rise. So, what can we do to shift gears and start moving forward again? A new initiative has been launched by the UN Secretary General with ILO coordinating support to address these challenges. The Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions aims to increase the level and coordination of the multilateral system’s efforts to help countries create 400 million decent jobs in both developed and emerging economies, and to extend social protection to half the world’s population who are currently excluded. To learn more about this, in this episode we interview ILO experts, Valérie Schmitt, Deputy Director of the Social Protection Department, and Jean-François Klein, Senior Administrator, Employment Policy Department.

The Global Accelerator: What it is and what it does in the future of work

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations and is devoted to promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights, pursuing its founding mission that labour peace is essential to prosperity.

Today, the ILO helps advance the creation of decent work and the economic and working conditions that give working people and business people a stake in lasting peace, prosperity and progress. Its tripartite structure provides a unique platform for promoting decent work for all women and men. 

Its main aims are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues.

The Global Accelerator: What it is and what it does in the future of work

International Labour Org.