From 16 to 20 October 2016, Luxor hosts the first International Labour Organisation (ILO) Academy on Rural Development in Egypt. This offers a range of integrated approaches, tools and training packages to promote full and productive employment and decent work in the rural economy.
The ILO estimates that nearly eight out of ten working poor live in rural areas where many are engaged in vulnerable employment, especially in agriculture. Young people – 85 per cent of whom live in developing countries and mostly in rural areas – account for a disproportionate share (23.5 per cent) of the working poor. Most child labourers are found in agriculture, accounting for 59 per cent or over 98 million; forced labour, too, is prevalent in agriculture and remote rural areas. The impact of the gender gap on agricultural productivity is revealing as well. FAO SOFA report suggests that if women had the same access to productive resources as men, women could raise the overall agricultural output in developing countries by 2.5 to 4 per cent.
Rural poverty has numerous root causes, ranging from climate change, natural resource degradation, conflict, weak institutions, poor agricultural conditions and trade-related challenges. Rural poverty is a driver of a host of social problems, including hunger and malnutrition, poor working conditions and exploitation of children.
In this context, the ILO in partnership with FAO and UNIDO join forces in promoting Decent Work for Youth in the Academy on Rural Development.
The participants of this Academy will be able to acquire tools and practical methods, successfully designed and tested in other national or regional contexts, and adaptable to their own environment; share experiences and knowledge with individuals and/or organisations with common interests in rural development; and gain a deeper understanding of the roles of policy makers, including workers and employers organisations required for the promotion of integrated rural development.
Offered in English and Arabic, the Five Days programme consists of a combination of cutting-edge topics presented and discussed in a series of classes facilitated by ILO, other UN Agencies and leading international and national experts; structured knowledge-sharing opportunities, making use of interactive learning methodologies; a range of elective workshops offering additional insight into specific subjects, testing tools and training packages; and study visits to innovative rural initiatives.
Worth mentioning is that this Academy is organised and funded by the ILO Cairo in partnership with the International Training Centre of the ILO, FAO and UNIDO. Participation in the Academy is subject to approval by the selection committee.
Watani International
16 October 2016