TURIN, Italy (6 October 2025) – Over four days in mid-September, the ITCILO campus in Turin became a dynamic space for exchange and reflection as more than 60 participants from governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, enterprises, and academia gathered for the first edition of the Summer School on Social Dialogue.

Held from 16 to 19 September 2025, with the support of the French Government and in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the event explored how social dialogue can be strengthened in due diligence processes to promote responsible business conduct across global supply chains.

The Summer School opened with a clear purpose: to provide a space where actors of the world of work can explore how social dialogue can make due diligence more legitimate, effective, and locally relevant.

Through joint sessions, participants examined how various institutional mechanisms—such as global and international framework agreements, European and global works councils, and multi-stakeholder initiatives—can complement one another in reinforcing vigilance frameworks. These discussions provided a platform to explore the interplay between social dialogue and due diligence, while highlighting the respective contributions of governments, enterprises, and social partners in advancing responsible business conduct.

The four days event fostered an environment where academic inquiry and practical experience came together to enrich understanding of responsible business conduct. Drawing on diverse regional perspectives—the programme highlighted the value of interdisciplinary dialogue in addressing complex labour and sustainability challenges.

Experts such as Attila Kun, Elena Sychenko, Isabelle Martin, İsmet Çiçek, Jennifer Wanjiru Wachira, Marie-Noëlle Lopez, Pauline Moreau Avila, Shakirudeen Taiwo, and Thomas Haipeter shared research and case studies on topics ranging from the role of worker representatives in sustainability reporting to the implementation of vigilance legislation and the dynamics of collective bargaining in global supply chains.

These exchanges underscored the interconnectedness of labour relations, corporate accountability, and human rights due diligence at the workplace level—reinforcing the role of due diligence as a practical and evolving instrument for advancing social sustainability.

As global, environmental, and technological shifts continue to reshape the world of work, the need for inclusive and adaptive social dialogue has never been more urgent. The Summer School concluded with a forward-looking session in which participants explored how industrial relations might evolve over the next decade through scenario-building exercises that emphasized trust, participation, and resilience.

Discussions examined emerging trends, new stakeholders, and transformative technologies poised to influence the future of social dialogue. A shared vision emerged: collaborative resilience built on transparency, shared responsibility, and proactive responses to challenges such as fragmented supply chains and shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Throughout the week, the programme integrated academic insight, practical tools, and peer learning, reaffirming ITCILO’s role as a global hub for innovation in labour relations and responsible business conduct. The academy concluded by equipping participants with fresh knowledge, expanded networks, and actionable strategies to embed social dialogue into due diligence processes that uphold rights and support sustainable business.

Learn more about ITCILO’s courses and initiatives on social dialogue and responsible business conduct at www.itcilo.org/topics/social-dialogue.