The
World
Summit for Social Development convened in Copenhagen, in March 1995, in response to concern in the international community about the process of globalization
and trade liberalization. The heads of State and government who attended
adopted commitments and a plan of action relating to “basic workers′
rights”. In June 1998, the 86
th Session of the International
Labour Conference adopted the
ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The
Declaration, which asked the States party to the corresponding ILO
conventions to give full effect to them and all others to take account of
the principles set out therein, made a decisive contribution to the
objectives defined at the Copenhagen Summit. It reasserted the commitment
of ILO′s
Member
States to respect, promote and universally fulfil the principles relating
to four fundamental rights at work:
“By
adopting this Declaration, the ILO has taken up the challenge presented to
it by the international community. It has established a social minimum at
the global level to respond to the realities of globalization and can now
look ahead to the new century with renewed optimism.” (Presentation of the
Declaration by ILO Director-General
Michel Hansenne).
The
InFocus Programme on Promoting the Declaration, launched in 1999,
generated a new category of
technical
cooperation projects conceived and funded by ILO.