Linking academics to UN policy agencies (& vice versa) in a gender equality agenda

1. Linking academics to UN policy agencies (& vice versa) in a gender equality agenda Amelita King Dejardin Policy Integration Department ILO Geneva

2. Some basics about “decent work for all” • “Decent work” sums up goals of ILO since 1919 and people’s aspiration in work • Universal – encompasses all forms of work, paid and unpaid, productive and reproductive • Relativity of goal (forever progressing and adjusting) but fundamental principles and rights at work as “social floor” • Interconnections between elements and aspirations of work = calls for integrated framework

3. … and gender equality • Gender equality integral to Decent Work concept; cannot achieve DW without freedom from discrimination and equality of rights • Conventions 100, 111 – fundamental conventions on freedom from discrimination and principle of equality

4. Notions of equality in employment & occupation Discrimination in employment & occupation “Any distinction, exclusion or preference made on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction, social origin, which has the effect of nullifying or impairing equality of opportunity and treatment in employment and occupation”(art.1, Convention 111) • Procedural equality (equal treatment) • Equality of opportunity (rights and access) • Equality of outcomes

5. Problem of measurement & indicators • DW indicators - highly debated, contested by tripartite constituents • « shrinking effect » of indicators • DW dimensions: employment relatively more developed • Gender equality: employment aspect relatively more developed

6. Role of research in ILO • Research-policy-politics • Engagement • Diverse range of issues in multiple policy areas = enormous needs for information and knowledge • Origin of needs: not only ILO Office but also tripartite constituencies • Policy debate, Policy advocacy, Standards setting: credibility of policy advice & advocacy depends on quality of analysis and information

7. Linking academics & UN agencies - Modalities • External consultancies under subcontractual arrangements (widely used): to undertake studies, give expert advice, write working papers • Seminars and forums – bringing together ILO & external experts (relatively frequently used)

8. more modalities … • Internships • Institution-based, part of university degree programme (e.g. Cornell) • Internship leading to thesis (e.g. MA Stat) • Individually negotiated - more selective, targeted, need/output based (e.g. Integration dept)

9. more modalities … • Education/training route • University-level degree courses – development and teaching of courses or modules • Social Security dept with Masstrict and Lausanne universities • ACTRAV – Global Labour Universtity • Employment Intensive Investment dept with Delft universities & networks of universities in Africa and Asia-Pacific

10. more modalities… • Support to academic & research networks (knowledge sharing; possibly generation of common agenda) • International Industrial Relations Association • International Association for labour Law and Social Security • Economists for Full Employment

11. more modalities… • Research review and agenda-setting • Examples: • Research workshop on gender in May 2007 to assess research activities and gaps and identify research priorities • Review of ILO research on informal economy from gender perspective in Oct-Nov 2007

12. more modalities… • Joint research project/product of ILO and external experts Job evaluation method free from gender biases (DECLARATION & M-T Chicha, University of Montreal) • Development of method and guide • Testing in a pilot project • Training INTEGRATION’s “global product” for 2008-09 on inequality and labour markets • One theme • Partnerships among HQ and Field office experts, and external researchers based on each one’s research work • Exchange & sharing of perspectives and methods in a seminar • Joint publication