Globalization, of which the expansion of international trade and investment is a major pillar, has enabled the creation of unprecedented wealth. However, many countries and people remain excluded from its benefits.

For these benefits to trickle down to the wider society and to cut poverty, deficiencies in global economic governance need to be remedied. Crucial in this are the rules and regulations that govern international, inter-regional and intra-regional agreements, as well as national trade and investment policies, especially if they help create productive, decent jobs in a sustainable and equitable manner. That requires informed social dialogue, which has to begin at the national level with active multi-stakeholder participation.

Because the social implications of trade and investment are strongly linked to the quantity and quality of employment, the need to involve governments and the social partners in economic policy-making is critical, as clearly stated in the Global Employment Agenda and other ILO instruments.  

Our courses on trade and investment aim primarily to enhance the knowledge and analytical skills of participants regarding the causal links between economic liberalization and the world of work, and the related institutional and social policy challenges.

The courses bring together the ILO constituents and other policy-makers, negotiators and experts, and promote an exchange and appreciation of different views.

The training sessions look at labour provisions in trade and investment agreements, models and techniques with which to assess the employment impact of such agreements, and policy measures to mitigate or enhance the labour market effects.

Special attention is given to regional integration, which, provided that it has a strong social dimension, can contribute to making globalization fairer. Another important focus is the role of the State in influencing private investment in sustainable development.

Some of our modules look more deeply into national public investment and public-private partnerships, their employment potential and their multiplier effect on economic development and the creation of sustainable jobs. 

We offer courses on:

• International trade and labour markets
• Regional integration, employment and labour market policies
• Foreign direct investment (forthcoming)

• Employment-intensive investment

The Social Dimension of Trade and Investment Programme takes an interdisciplinary approach to training, pooling expertise from different units of the Centre and the ILO as a whole.