The world economy must operate in ways which open the door to the great advantages of open societies and open economies while acknowledging the specificity of national situations, culture and practices. It also needs better governance. Its benefits are not reaching enough people and the backlash is brewing. Democracy, to be sustainable, must be based on fairness and social inclusion. Possibly, the most important challenge facing us is to make markets work for everybody.
Suggestions are welcome.
We know well that when the three billion people who live with under two dollars a day become mainstream consumers, we will enjoy a long term cycle of sustainable economic growth and increasingly stable communities. We know it. But the policies to make it happen soon are not yet in place. It is equally an absolute cornerstone of the ILO's values and beliefs that workers' rights are not part of a zero sum game, to be traded off against an equal and opposite notion of employers' obligations. Many workers' rights, like freedom of association and the capacity to organize without hindrance are truly citizens' rights and human rights.