The Centenary session of the International Labour Conference (ILC), known as the “world parliament of labour” kicked off in Geneva on Monday 10 June 2019.

Nearly 6,000 delegates – representing governments, workers and employers from the ILO’s 187 member States are in Geneva attending this historic two-week Conference to discuss transformative changes in the world of work, and are elaborating an ILO Centenary Declaration. They are also discussing how to overcome violence and harassment at the workplace with a view to adoption of a new international agreement.

In time for the Conference, the city of Geneva also got ready (despite the heavy rain) and decorated its emblematic Mont Blanc bridge…

and even Geneva public transport got dressed up in ILO100 fashion

The Conference was opened on Monday 10 June by the ILO Director-General Guy Ryder who said:

“the uncertainties and insecurities of our time…underline  just how fundamental the achievement of social justice is to stability and to peace, and how vital access to decent work is to the advancement of human well-being”.

Watch Guy Ryder’s full intervention at the opening session of the ILC
(41:06 – 56:45)

Ambassador Jean-Jacques Elmiger (Switzerland) was elected to preside the Centenary Conference, and the opening session was also addressed by Swiss Federal Councillor Alain Berset and María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the United Nations General Assembly.

World leaders at the Centenary International Labour Conference

Dozens of world leaders are attending the Centenary International Labour Conference. Some of them addressed it during its first week, and more are scheduled to taking the stage during the second week.

But who actually came during the first week?

In case you don’t recognize the faces below, click on the image to find out who these leaders are, learn about what they had to say and watch their interventions.

and more…

…and even more…

Thematic Forums

An innovation for this year’s Conference, a series of Thematic Forums and events connected to the future of work have been organized to provide an opportunity for debate and sharing inspiring, thought-provoking perspectives on the future of the world of work.

The Forums, which are being held take place in the Palais des Nations in Room XX – the magnificent Human Rights Council room, will continue during the second week of the ILC. See the full programme here and watch the video recordings here.

But the Conference is not only about high-level visits and intense discussions. Delegates and staff members can also engage in a range of interactive activities.

This year the ILO communication team has prepared a virtual reality space for delegates and staff to experience the life of child miners in Ghana. Check it out!

Version françaises // Versión en español

And delegates don’t miss the opportunity to take a photo at the engagement zone to promote social justice.

If you want to get a glimpse of what happens at the Centenary session of the ILC, tune into the ILC Daily Show, broadcasting live from Monday to Friday at 13:00 – 15:00 (CET)

The recordings of all editions of the ILC Daily Show, along with all Plenary sittings and Thematic forums, can be watched here.

Check what was tweeted about the high-level visits of the first week of the ILC.