1-3 September 2003, Dakar, Senegal Subregional Workshop In a region with a recent history of armed conflict, IFP/CRISIS thought it essential to improve coordination among actors who can contribute to conflict prevention and response. Therefore, the Dakar event, in the context of the unit’s work to reintegrate ex-combatants in Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, aimed to develop crisis-response capacities among ILO regional and subregional staff. Specifically, the event emphasized close collaboration among ILO structures and coordination with relevant agencies.
26-30 November 2001, Turin, Italy Training of Trainers Workshop Because of its small size, the ILO crisis response core team alone cannot train all staff and constituents interested in crisis-related work. It therefore provides a network of people with basic information and tools, allowing them to share knowledge with others and foster a culture of crisis prevention and response. The Turin event aimed to prepare and energize ILO staff to be crisis advocates, trainers, and animateurs. It was expected that once trained, the participants would facilitate scheduled training events, organize their own events in the field or their departments, and pursue informal opportunities for sharing ILO crisis approaches, skills, and tools. Specifically, the event aimed to increase participants’ knowledge of ILO response approaches and capacities, and to enhance their ability to plan and implement responses. It also sought to build capacity in training and advocacy, allowing participants to support ILO crisis response by training others. The session addressed a variety of technical areas and practical skills.
23-26 April 2001, Kribi, Cameroun Subregional Atelier Following a capacity building event for ILO Designated Crisis Focal Persons in Turin in October, 2000, the director of the ILO’s Multi-disciplinary Team for Central Africa (EMAC) suggested that IFP/CRISIS hold an event in that crisis-plagued region. The atelier had two goals: to promote effective responses to crises, especially armed conflicts, by reinforcing the technical knowledge of ILO personnel and outside experts; and to find ways to improve coordinated planning and implementation of ILO activities. Participants came from local offices, regional offices, specialised programmes, and technical cooperation projects. Outside specialists in such fields as employment standards, training, enterprises and cooperatives, and social protection also attended.
List of past training events for ILO Constituents
20-24 October 2003, Accra, Ghana Organization of African Trade Union Unity/ILO Top-Level Seminar Besides their general effects on societies, armed conflicts have specific repercussions on socio-economic conditions. For example, they disrupt the efforts of trade unions, which can be key promoters of decent work and social cohesion. In 2003, the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) and its affiliates sought the help of IFP/CRISIS. They wanted to build their capacity to contribute to early warning, prevention, resolution, reintegration, reconstruction, and peacebuilding in countries prone to, or emerging from, conflicts. The Accra seminar gathered senior trade union representatives from 13 such nations. It aimed to develop the precise elements necessary for a capacity building programme that could achieve the OATUU’s goals. The event allowed participants to share experiences, analyse conflicts’ effects on trade unions and societies, generate ideas about trade unions’ roles in prevention and recovery, and assess unions’ strengths and weaknesses. After these discussions, the seminar adopted conclusions and recommendations for the future. These reviewed the qualities needed for unions to play a positive role in conflict and described appropriate roles for unions in different areas, including peace advocacy, human rights protection, and calling attention to the need for employment in conflicts.
7-9 October 2003, Maputo, Mozambique Capacity Building Workshop With Mozambique devastated by floods, droughts, and cyclones in recent years, this workshop addressed a key topic: “Crisis Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters and Other Crises in Mozambique.” The event aimed, first, to discuss ongoing concerns and equip the ILO’s social partners (the Ministry of Labor and workers’ and employers’ organizations) with the latest ILO crisis tools. Publications on increasing the employment impact of crisis responses and reducing the negative impacts of natural disasters on employment and socio-economic conditions were emphasized. Second, the workshop laid out a Plan of Action for Mozambique. This encouraged ILO constituents to energize their efforts within the Mozambique national framework for disaster prevention and management. The Maputo workshop helped some 20 participants design, develop, and mobilize resources for crisis prevention and response.
22-24 May 2003, Conakry, Guinea National Workshop This event’s goal was to highlight, and find ways to strengthen, the role of trade unions in preventing and managing conflict in Africa. Guinea has suffered the effects of armed conflicts in two volatile neighbours; conflict continues to roil other parts of the continent as well. Therefore, the Conakry event aimed to support trade unions in bolstering social dialogue and promoting sustainable economic opportunities. It brought together representatives of workers’ organizations, ministries and other government institutions, civil society, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and other international agencies.
27-28 February 2003, Harare, Zimbabwe Tripartite Workshop on Southern Africa As severe droughts and other factors, ranging from floods to HIV/AIDS, continued to ravage Southern Africa, IFP/CRISIS brought together government authorities, workers’ organizations, and employers’ organizations. The focus was on employment-related initiatives to counteract the effects of the long-term drought in the region. The event also aimed to reinforce the social partners so they could contribute meaningfully to recovery from disaster, including through social dialogue.
