Academy on Social Dialogue and Industrial Relations
Academy on Social Dialogue and Industrial Relations
24 November–12 December 2025
The course is available in English
Key features
ITCILO CAMPUS IN TURIN
The campus offers modern training facilities that make a unique space for learning
LEARN DIFFERENTLY
Innovative training methodologies and integrated use of digital learning technology
ADULT LEARNING
The Centre’s training methods include a participatory approach to adult learning
RESOURCE PERSONS
Learn from ILO specialists, ITCILO trainers and recognized international experts
Introduction to the course
Social dialogue is defined by the ILO to include all types of negotiation, consultation or simply exchange of information between, or among, representatives of governments, employers and workers, on issues of common interest relating to economic and social policy. It can exist as a tripartite process, with the government as an official party to the dialogue or it may consist of bipartite relations only between employers or their organizations and trade unions (or workers' representatives at the level of the undertakings). Social dialogue is both a means to achieve decent work by strengthening democratic decision-making and an end in itself. Although social dialogue practices may differ from country to country, freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining constitute both key prerequisites to effective social dialogue, and fundamental human rights. The main aim of social dialogue is to improve the quality of decisions and policies through the involvement of the main stakeholders in the world of work, notably employers, workers and their representatives. Successful social dialogue institutions and processes have the potential to resolve important economic and social issues, deal with crises -such as COVID-19- encourage good governance and social peace, reduce inequality and promote growth. Social dialogue may take different forms.
At national level as well as other levels tripartite dialogue allows government, business and employers and workers and their representatives, to seek solutions on issues of common interest, as equal and independent partners. Collective bargaining allows an employer, or a group of employers, on the one hand, and one or more workers' organizations on the other, to jointly determine working conditions and terms of employment, regulate relations between employers and workers, and/or regulate relations between employers or their organizations and workers' organizations. This unique and distinct form of social dialogue plays a key role in the governance of the labour market. Collective bargaining can takes place at many levels (international, national, sectoral, enterprise or territorial level). At the enterprise level, the interaction between workers' representatives can also take place through workplace cooperation. Workplace cooperation is understood as consultation and cooperation between employers and workers on matters of mutual concern not within the scope of collective bargaining machinery. For example, safety and health committees can play an important role at the workplace. In addition, jointly designed grievance mechanisms can also play a key role in preventing the escalation of conflict and promoting a climate of mutual understanding in the workplace.
Who attends this course?
- Government representatives and public officers
- Representatives from trade unions and employers' organizations
- Other actors from the public and private sector, and the civil society
- Staff from the ILO and other international organizationsen candidates and candidates from minority groups are especially welcome.
What will I learn
- Social dialogue and industrial relations and international labour standards related to them
- The role of tripartite institutions
- Social dialogue and policy making
- Collective bargaining and its promotion
- Workplace cooperation
- Prevention of labour disputes
- Access to labour justice
- A full exploration of the challenges affecting social dialogue and industrial relations over the world
Structure and methodology
The Academy will consist of three interconnected phases. The programme will start with one online phase. It will be followed by a one-week face-to-face programme at the International Training Centre of the ILO in Turin, Italy, and then by an additional week online.
To receive the Academy certification, participants need to complete all phases of the programme.
Online phase | 24–28 November 2025
During the first online phase of the Academy, participants will participate in:
- Self-guided learning modules on essential aspects of social dialogue
- Online live sessions on social dialogue and industrial relations
Face-to-face in Turin | 1–5 December 2025
During the five days face-to-face phase of the Academy in Turin, participants will participate in training sessions that aim at better grasping all the different facets of social dialogue and industrial relations.
Online phase | 8–12 December 2025
During the final online phase of the Academy, participants will continue their learning journey by participating in:
- Recorded sessions on social dialogue and industrial relations
- Exchange on the community of practice
- Start developing their post-course work
Successful participants will receive an ITCILO Certificate of Achievement or Participation.
Languages
The workshop will be conducted in English and Arabic. Participants are therefore expected to have a good command of the English or Arabic language.
Registration
To apply for this course, please click on the "Apply now" button and fill out the online form before the application deadline.
If your application is sponsored by your Institution, you will be required to attach a sponsorship letter, covering the course fees.
Applications will be reviewed through a standardized selection process. Successful candidates will be notified individually.
Accommodation and transportation
The total price of this training activity includes full board accommodation at the ITCILO campus, routine medical care, medical insurance, and internet facilities. The listed prices do not include the cost of travel between the participant's home country and the course venue.
Participants are responsible for holding a valid passport and obtaining the appropriate visa (Schengen). Listed prices do not include the costs of passports, visas, and airport taxes.
Payment and withdrawal
Payment can be processed by bank transfer or credit card through an electronic payment link. The total price of this training activity must be paid in advance by the participant or his/her sponsoring organization.
If an enrolled participant wishes or must withdraw from a course, they must notify the Centre, in writing, of their decision at least 14 days prior to the start date of the course. Cancellation of participation in regular courses will result in penalties. For more details on this matter, please check our payment and cancellation policy webpage.
#Social Dialogue #Industrial Relations #Collective Bargaining #Tripartite Process #Workplace Cooperation #Labour Market #Economic and Social Policy #Democratic Decision-Making #International Labour Standards #Labour Justice
Start learning about this topic
You can download and read the recommended publications:
- Social Dialogue Report 2022: Collective bargaining for an inclusive, sustainable and resilient recovery
- The Role of Social Dialogue and Tripartism in a Just Transition towards Environmentally Sustainable Economies and Societies for All
- Social Dialogue and the Sustainable Development Goals: An Essential Synergy for Human-Centred Development and Recovery
