Trade and investment are widely recognized as key drivers of economic growth, employment, and sustainable development. When aligned with national priorities and supported by appropriate policies, they can contribute significantly to the creation of more and better jobs, skills development, technology transfer, and stronger linkages with local economies. 

However, these positive outcomes are not automatic, as trade and investment can also generate challenges, including labour rights violations, informality, inequalities, and pressures on local enterprises. Ensuring that trade and investment contribute more and better jobs and inclusive economic growth requires coherent policies, stakeholder coordination and strong engagement of all parties involved. RBC standards such as the ILO MNE Declaration, the UNGPs, and the OECD Guidelines on RBC can play a critical role in this regard. They provide a framework for dialogue and action in how to maximize the positive impact of trade and investment while also providing process-oriented guidance.

 This self-guided eLearning course explores the interconnections between trade, investment, decent work, and responsible business conduct. It aims to support participants in identifying practical entry points to promote policy coherence, social dialogue, and partnerships that enhance the positive impact of trade and investment on labour markets and sustainable development.