Promoting Decent Work at the Local Level through South-South and Triangular Cooperation Contributions from the Global South

South-South and triangular cooperation (SSTC) has been part of the global development since 1970. Its importance is essential to promote national and regional international initiatives such as the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SSTC allows the exchange of expertise, networking, transfer and exchange of knowledge, technology and successful experiences. It is guided by the principles of solidarity, leadership, mutual benefit, non-conditionality and should be driven by demand. From the ILO’s point of view, the SSTC is a horizontal and supportive means of promoting and implementing the Decent Work Agenda in the context of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, in particular SDG 8: Sustainable development, full employment and productive and decent work for all, including people with disabilities. In addition, the SSTC promotes the achievement of SDG 17, which one of its goals is to increase international support for the implementation of effective and specific capacities in developing countries to support national plans for the implementation of all sustainable development goals, including through North-South and South-South cooperation.

The 4th World Forum of Local Economic Development will be held in Praia, Cabo Verde, from 17 – 20 October 2017. This event is part of an open working process, started in 2011, which promotes an international dialogue and shares experiences on Local Economic Development (LED). It offers the opportunity to transform a global alliance of engaged actors into concrete partnerships at the country and local level. Its remarkable potential stems from the large number of diverse leaders and practitioners from national and subnational governments, the private sector, academia, civil society and others. They work together to stimulate policies for sustainable local development – to achieve their ultimate implementation on the ground. On the other hand, this forum will constitute a platform for dialogue on key issues such as poverty eradication, employment and decent work, sustainable entrepreneurship, multi-stakeholder partnerships, including the involvement of civil society, workers’ and employers’ organizations. Finally, it will analyse how the LED approach stands out as an operational and strategic approach to localize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals.

The forum is an ongoing process, which culminates every two years with a world event. Regional forums, side events and training activities are an integral part of this process.

This paper present articles that were developed by workshop participants who have received a grant from the ILO South-South Cooperation Program for their participation.

Articles in French, Portuguese and Spanish.