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38 FUNDING DEVELOPMENTMaking decent workand inclusive growth a realityMeaningful, fair-paid and safe jobs should be at the heartof an inclusive, equitable and sustainable development agendaBy Guy Ryder, Director-General,International Labour OrganizationAs the UN explores and navigatesmyriad development issuesthrough inter-governmentaldiscussions, expert policy dialogues,analyses by senior political leaders andcountless multi-stakeholder meetings, onetheme has repeatedly been identified as akey priority for the future of sustainabledevelopment and inclusive economicgrowth: decent work.Tens of millions of people globally haveresponded to the UN’s call to voice theirhopes and aspirations for a future theywant. Their reply, overwhelmingly, has setaccess to a quality job as a top priority. In arecent speech, the UN Secretary-Generalsaid that “work is more than a source ofincome, it is a source of dignity”.Work connects people to their societiesand economies, and often shapes a person’sself-definition. Access to safe, productiveand fairly remunerated work – the essenceof decent work – is extremely important,assuring a sense of self-worth amongwomen and men. It enables them toprovide for their families while makinga productive contribution to the widersociety and helps to build the foundation ofstable communities.Societies’ capacity to offer opportunitiesto work in dignity will be central toshaping the kind of future to which wecan look forward. Deeply disturbed by thepresent trend toward growing economicinequality globally, Pope Francis recentlydeclared that the dignity of each humanperson and the pursuit of the commongood are concerns which ought to shapeall economic policies. For the InternationalLabour Organization (ILO) the goal ofdecent work must help shape such policies.Decent work and inclusive growth aredirectly linked and mutually supportive.Economic transformation and growth canhelp to open up opportunities for decentwork while more and better jobs feedback into the growth dynamic, making itmore inclusive and sustainable. We haveseen that where jobs are scarce there isless growth, less security and less humanand economic development. Conversely,where jobs are being created incomes grow,stimulating consumption, which in turnhelps strengthen aggregate demand andenhance growth.The promotion of decentwork is indispensableif economic growth isto be more inclusiveHowever, decent work does not happenon its own. It requires job-rich growthstrategies, active labour market policies,economic diversification into high valueaddedsectors and improving workplaceconditions that nurture higher levels ofproductivity. Enabling conditions areneeded to facilitate the transition from theinformal to the formal economy and boostthe development and growth of micro-,small and medium-sized enterprises.For their part, businesses need toincrease investments into productivecapacities and actively promote creativityand innovation at work and, moregenerally, focus on investing in developinga well-trained workforce capable ofadapting to changing market conditions.An economically dynamic and inclusivefuture demands that special attentionbe given to youth. It is estimated that470 million young people will join thelabour force between 2015 and 2030.Their employability must be a priorityconcern. Looking over the horizon, it willbe difficult to imagine a sustainable andpeaceful world in 2030 if we fail to rise tothe youth employment challenge.Experience and research have longshown that investing in people, throughformal education, technical and vocationaltraining, social protection initiatives,application of rights and good conditionsat work can generate immense social andeconomic dividends. From a world of workperspective, developing human capital is akey to enhancing labour productivity andjob quality.Effective strategies to develop skillsfor employability and anticipating whichskills will be needed in the future willrequire inter-governmental coordination.Additionally, it will need the developmentof curricula in consultation with employersto better align education and trainingrequirements with real-world demands thatare relevant to local and global conditions.A solid foundation for economic growthis built on specific policy measures thathelp mitigate the effects of economicshocks and downturns, and, mostimportantly, help break the cycle of intergenerationalpoverty. Social protectionGLOBAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS 2014