INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION (ICFTU)

ICFTU online...
018/300102/JL

ICFTU at the PrepCom II (World Summit on Sustainable Development):

'Fashioning a New Deal in sustainable development.'

Brussels, 30 January 2002 (ICFTU on-line): Tackling subjects ranging from
globalisation to deforestation, the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(WSSD) to be held in Johannesburg in September this year, will create a 'New
Deal' to take the groundbreaking issues from the first summit in Rio de
Janeiro in 1992 into a second decade. Representing 157 million workers
worldwide, the ICFTU is playing a major role in setting the agenda.

28 January-8 February, New York, will see the Second Preparatory Committee
for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (PrepCom-II). Lucien Royer,
representing the ICFTU for the event, explained that the meeting is "part of
the process to vigorously promote and integrate a social dimension into the
proceedings of the WSSD. The ICFTU is striving for an open and inclusive
conference and is committed to the eradication of poverty and social
exclusion through employment and the protection of basic human and labour
rights."

The inclusion of youth in the process of sustainable development is, as
defined in its 'Millennium Review,' one of the priorities of the ICFTU, and
as such is a focal point for the WSSD.

"The ICFTU is pressing for decent jobs and quality education for young
people, along with adequate social security and protection of labour rights.
It is imperative that dialogue between youth, governments and other relevant
groups is dramatically increased. Youth is the future and a voice that must
be heard," said Yvonne O'Callaghan (ICFTU Youth Co-ordinator).

In line with these demands, the ICFTU will hold a 'Youth Caucasus' at
PrepCom II in New York on 30 January, bringing together youth
representatives from NGOs, youth organisations and government delegations.

New ICFTU General Secretary, Guy Ryder, attending the World Economic Forum,
taking place in New York on the same date, explained, "in different forums
in the same city, the ICFTU is the voice of the workers, and we intend to
make it known that a future without a social dimension is no future at all."

The ICFTU represents 157 million workers in 226 affiliated organisations in
148 countries and territories. The ICFTU is also a member of Global Unions:
http://www.global-unions.org [2]

Contact: ICFTU Press Department on 32 2 224 0232 or 32 476 62 10 18.

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