New TUDCN-ODI research: How do donors support the Decent Work Agenda?
A new TUDCN study, undertaken by the Overseas Development Institute, reviews the contribution of five donor countries to providing decent work in developing countries. Entitled How do donors support the Decent Work Agenda? - A review of five donors, this study assesses the various forms of support provided through Official Development Assistance by France, Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The above study was launched at the 3rd Joint Forum between Trade Unions and the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the OECD, which was held in Paris on the 21st of March 2017. The theme of the forum was The role of the DAC in the changing development landscape and in pursuit of achieving the Agenda 2030.
Trade unions at the 5th global meeting of the EU Policy Forum on Development (PFD)
The 5th global meeting of the EU Policy Forum on Development (PFD) took place in Brussels on 21-23 March 2017. Organised by the European Commission, it brought together representatives from civil society organisations and local authorities from around the world. The topics discussed included the European Consensus on Development, the future of the EU-ACP partnership, multi-stakeholder partnerships for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the EU external financing instruments.
The role of the Private Sector in Development Cooperation Policies in Latin America and the Caribbean
A new study by the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) analyses the impacts of cooperation projects managed by large companies in Peru, Haiti, Colombia and El Salvador. From these concrete cases, it shows the limits and risks of the privatization of cooperation and provides arguments to defend cooperation as a State policy, as well as to demand greater transparency and accountability by the private sector.
Trade Unions at the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development
The AP Trade Union Development Cooperation Network was represented at the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD). Organised by UN ESCAP, it takes place in Bangkok between the 29th and 31st of March 2017. It is the first of the series of regional preparatory meetings by the UN regional commissions for this year’s High Level Policy Forum (HLPF).
Supporting trade union engagement to make make decent work a reality in West Africa
By Elodie Aïssi - Institut Belleville-CFDT
At the beginning of 2017, ITUC-Africa and Institut Belleville-CFDT launched the national training workshops planned under phase two of the project “Supporting trade union action on economic and social matters to make decent work a reality in Africa”. This second phase, lasting three years, involves 28 trade union organisations, affiliated to ITUC-Africa, in eight French-speaking countries of West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has maintained its funding of the development cooperation activities through Union to Union for 2017. In addition, they have increased funding for development education and awareness raising grants in Sweden. In the meantime, the board of Union to Union has adopted a new five-year strategy that highlights the role of Swedish and global unions as development actors and their contribution to the Agenda 2030.
UGT provides input to the update of Spain's development policy
Spain's Unión General de Trabajadores (General Union of Workers) has submitted input to the ongoing updating of the National Development Cooperation Master Plan. The document stresses the need to align national policy with the 2030 Agenda and highlights the need to support the Just Transition. It calls for an increased recognition of decent work, underscored by social protection coverage and economically and socially inclusive growth as a pillar of sustainable development.
The Executive Commission of the Comisiones Obreras (Workers' Commissions) adopts a resolution commending the efforts contained within the 2030 Agenda to promote equality and inclusive models of society. It highlights the central role of public institutions in providing social protection to all.
Gender-based violence at work is far more prevalent than reported and ending it will require women coming together to challenge male-dominated structures—whether in corporations, governments or their own unions, according to leaders and experts from a variety of unions and nongovernmental associations (NGOs) speaking in New York City.
2030 Agenda Voluntary National Reviews online platform
The DESA Division for Sustainable Development is pleased to announce the launch the of the 2030 Agenda Voluntary National Reviews online platform. The platform provides ease of access to reports, documentation, web cast sessions, statements and presentations from countries taking part in the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). The platform allows visitors to browse by year and by keyword.
CSO recommendations on the private sector instruments (PSI) reform
The OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) aims to promote greater private sector engagement in development by allowing Official Development Assistance (ODA) to be channelled through a wide range of “private sector instruments” (PSI). This means that investing in or giving loans to private companies, or underwriting their activities through guarantees can be classified as ODA. This paper summarises some of the key recommendations made by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) over the past year.
This special edition of Policy in Focus, which was released for International Women's Day 2017, covers key topics related to gender equality and social protection. It features a wide range of contributions from women policy practitioners and scholars, presenting case studies and reflections from Brazil and various African countries.
The TUDCN secretariat puts together daily e-mail alerts with 3 or 4 highlights of development news of particular relevance to Trade Unions. If you are interested in receiving them, sign up by sending an e-mail to [email protected] with "Daily News Report SIGN UP" in the subject line.
Upcoming events
TUDCN Partnerships Seminar for East Africa (Nairobi)
3-4 April 2017
TUDCN General Meeting (Lomé)
19-21 April 2017
Financing for Development Forum follow-up (New York)
22-25 May 2017
2030 Agenda High Level Political Forum (New York)
10-19 July 2017
This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the ITUC and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.
