Global Business and Labour Market Policy in Flux: the ILO, the World Bank, and the UK

Global Business and Labour Market Policy in Flux: the ILO, the World Bank, and the UK

Representatives from two key United Nations (UN) organizations, namely the World Bank Group and the International Labour Organization (ILO), are participating in this panel discussion, to which you are invited. 

Both UN organizations work on issues and current challenges regarding global business and labour markets. However, they have different areas of focus and positions concerning the shaping of the framework conditions for work and business at a global level. Against that background, high-quality research plays a crucial role in formulating and implementing policies, enabling the reconciliation of differing viewpoints. Therefore, the panel discussion also addresses the role of high-quality research that serves as the basis not only for the informed reconciliation of different positions but also the role of research as a basis for highly impactful decisions at the highest political level.

In the panel discussion we will discuss these issues and the role research plays, and are very proud to welcome the Chief Economist of the ILO's research department Dr Sangheon Lee, as well as Dr Valeria Perotti who is the Manager of the Business Ready (B-READY) unit within the World Bank. The panel will be complemented by Professor Simon Deakin from the University of Cambridge, Professor Deirdre McCann from Durham University Law School, Professor Rudolf Sinkovics from Durham University Business School and Professor Bernd Brandl from Durham University Business School.

Durham University Business School, and the Policy Hub in particular, aims to go beyond merely acting as a platform in future discussions at the UN level (specifically with these two organizations). It seeks to make an active substantive contribution through its own research and help shape the future together with policy relevant organisations such as from the UN. The event is therefore intended to identify and even facilitate common research activities and interests between DUBS’s current and future research and that of the UN.

As the theme of the panel discussion is of great interest to many researchers at Durham University - and given the areas of overlap in research that could be explored on basis of the event - we would be delighted to welcome you to this event. Should you wish to attend, kindly RSVP by completing this form.

The provisional schedule of the panel discussion is:

2.00-2.05         Welcome and introduction by Professor Bernd Brandl (Durham University Business School)

2.05-2.10         Welcome to Durham University Business School by Professor Kieran Fernandes (Executive Dean of the Business School)

2.10-2.20         Thanks and introductory comments on Business Indices, Labour Regulation, and the Role of the World Bank and the International Labour Organization in International Labour Policy by Professor Deirdre McCann (Durham University Law School)

2.20-2.35         Dr Sangheon Lee (International Labour Organization)

2.35-2.50         Dr Valeria Perotti (World Bank Group)

2.50-3.05         Professor Simon Deakin (University of Cambridge)

3.05-3.20         Professor Rudolf Sinkovics (Durham University Business School)

3.20-3.45         Open discussion