The GPF Coordinator, Yonnec Polet, participated in the conference “Decent Work and the MDG’s: Keeping the Promise”, organized by the Decent Work Decent Life Campaign, the Global Network and the ITUC.

The GPF Coordinator, Yonnec Polet, participated in the conference “Decent Work and the MDG’s: Keeping the Promise”, organized by the Decent Work Decent Life Campaign, the Global Network and the ITUC. The event was held in New York on September 21st 2010 and included several high-level participants, such as Jane Stewart (Director, ILO), Sharan Burrow (Secretary General, ITUC), Mira Said (Global Network Coordinator for the Arab Region), Georgina Opoku Amankwah (ITUC – Africa Women’s Committee) and Conny Reuter (Secretary General SOLIDAR) as moderator.
In his intervention, Yonnec Polet stated that: “We see how neoliberal policies yield scarce progress in Decent Work, affecting the achievement of the MDG’s. This situation must be counteracted. We need an alternative long-term Agenda; we need a Global New Deal”.
 
The event was witnessed by around 200 participants form NGO’s, trade unions, representatives of international institutions and national governments and highlighted that Decent Work standards are now recognized as being integral to the achievement of all the MDGs; yet progress in realizing its target has been slow. Rather, the predominance of neoliberal economic policies has fuelled massive unemployment and jobless growth, and has led to multiple crises that have exacerbated poverty. A concerted focus on demand-led growth through employment, decent work and social protection is key to sustainable development.
 
PROGRAM
Tuesday, 21st September 2010 10.00 – 11.30 Decent Work and the MDGs: Keeping the promise?
Jane Stewart, Special Representative to the United Nations and Director International Labor Organization Office for the United Nations.
Since 2005, there has been an acknowledgement that Decent Work is crucial to achieve all MDGs. Yet, progress has been really slow. What should the final outcome document look like to facilitate progress towards MDG1?
Sharon Burrow, ITUC General Secretary
What should be done to make sure MDG commitments are respected? How should we proceed to prevent failure in achieving the MDGs?
Mira Said, Global Network Coordinator for the Arab Region and Trainer in “Labor and Social Dialogue” at the “Democracy and Workers Rights Center”
The view of CSOs by providing the audience with real life testimonies from Palestine, together with some case studies from Jordan. 
Georgina Opoku Amankwah, ITUC – Africa Women’s Committee
The view of CSOs by providing the audience with real life testimonies from Ghana, decent working conditions apply to all workers including those in the informal economy (the case of Ghana).  
Yonnec Polet, Global Progressive Forum Representative and Head of the International Unit at the Party of European Socialists
What role can progressive politicians play to build up support for the Decent Work Agenda and make sure MDGs commitments are implemented at the national level? Which alliances are necessary to reach the MDG targets?
Chairing: Mr. Conny Reuter, SOLIDAR Secretary General
Venue: Salvation Army Auditorium, 221 E 52nd ST, New York, NY 120022