ILO celebrates centenary in 2019 •Launches Centenary Initiatives

THE International Labour Organization (ILO) will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, as the Director General, Guy Rider launched the Centenary Initiatives.

As one of the oldest specialized UN agencies, the ILO is preparing for a year of celebrations to mark the anniversary.

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Since he launched the Centenary Initiatives, the Director-General has emphasized that the anniversary is an exceptional opportunity for the ILO.

According to Guy Rider, the year is both a time to look back at our history as one of the oldest organizations in the multilateral system, and to celebrate some of our many, substantial, achievements.

“The anniversary will also be a time to look honestly and critically at the major challenges and changes taking place in the world of work, and how the ILO and its member States can respond to and shape these most effectively;” he said.

The ILO DG added: “Our Future of work initiative addresses to these challenges. We have set up a global commission on the future of work which will present its report in January, and we expect that this report will provide the basis for discussion and engagement with our members and partners throughout the year.”

The centenary will be an opportunity to celebrate the ILO’s achievements and reaffirm its position as the authoritative global organization for the world of work.

Throughout the centenary year, multiple commemorative events will take place around the globe to highlight the achievements of the organization and the role it plays in everyone’s life.

It will also be an opportunity to reaffirm the ILO’s core values and vision as it prepares for its second century of work.

The first major highlight of 2019 will be the launch of the report of the global commission on the Future of Work  on 22 January. The report is the culmination of a process that began in 2016 with a series of national dialogues in ILO member States on the Future of Work.

The ILO Deputy Director-General, Greg Vines also explained where the Organization stands with preparations for the anniversary year.

He said the ILO at 100  promises to be a momentous year, and will certainly be a tremendous milestone in the Organization’s history.

“I really hope that it will be a memorable experience for all involved, and that it will project the ILO in a positive and dynamic way to its members – governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations – and far beyond; “ he said.

According to him, the anniversary will also be a time to look honestly and critically at the major challenges and changes taking place in the world of work, and how the ILO and its member States can respond to and shape these most effectively.