ILO-South Centre Side Event at BAPA+40: “The Future of Work, Youth Employment and South-South Cooperation”

The ILO and South Centre have successfully co-hosted a Side Event during the Second High-Level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation (BAPA+40) on 21 March 2019 entitled: “The Future of Work, Youth Employment and South-South Cooperation”

Mr. Carlos Correa, Executive Director of the South Centre, moderated and encouraged an interesting and dynamic debate among the distinguished panelists and discussant, including:

  • Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the Ibero-American General Secretariat, member of the Global Commission on the Future of Work
  • Mr. Fabio Isaac Masis Fallas, Executive Director of the Costa Rica Chamber of Private Enterprises- “Unión Costarricense de Cámaras y Asociaciones del Sector Empresarial Privado” (UCCAEP)
  • Mr Kjeld Jakobsen, Consultant for the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (CSA)
  • Ms. Brenda Cardozo, youth representative from ILO’s SafeYouth@Work project in Latin America
  • Ms. Victoria Alonsoperez, SDG Young Leader (discussant)

This panel discussed South-South and triangular cooperation and the future of work for youth from three angles: policies for skills development, green jobs, and social dialogue. The discussion took into account the report by the Global Commission on the Future of Work, launched on January 22, 2019, to mark the beginning of ILO’s centenary celebrations.

The panelists also provided recommendations for BAPA + 40 participants on effective integration of South-South and triangular cooperation into Youth Employment Policies. It was a great opportunity to give light to the Future of Work report in the Americas in a High-Level Conference of the UN System, as well as on reflect to the contribution of youth therein.

The event attracted more than 150 people with standing audience and have received a great deal of constructive and positive feedback from participants and experts both during and after the event.

During the side event, Mr Fabio Bertranou, Director- ILO Country Office in Santiago, launched the report “Decent Work Good Practices on the Road to BAPA +40 and beyond”