President addresses ILO Global Summit on COVID-19 and the World of Work

On 8 July, President Higgins took part in the ILO Global Summit on ‘COVID-19 and the World of Work’.

The Global Summit brought together government, employer and worker representatives, to consider the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to discuss the challenges of countries that are battling with the pandemic.

In his speech, President Higgins spoke about the consequences of economic and social inequalities that have been laid bare by the pandemic, and called on the ILO to protect the rights of vulnerable workers.

The work of the ILO is inspired by the 1944 Declaration of Philadelphia, of which Irishman Edward Phelan was the principal author. In February 2015, President Higgins paid tribute to Edward Phelan in his “Future of Work” speech, which is available here. 
 

Since his inauguration in 2011, President Higgins has sought to promote greater public debate about societal change, engaging with a number of significant topics. One of those key themes has been the issue of economic policy, and policy-making. In many of his speeches, President Higgins has spoken of the importance of promoting greater understanding of, and public engagement with, economic policy, of decision-making processes, and of the policies that might replace those that have resulted in growing inequality and threats to the planet.

Related events:

• President hosts seminar ‘Rethinking the Role of the State in Fostering a Sustainable and Inclusive Economy’ (2019)
• President delivers Opening Address at National ILO Centenary Event (2019)
• President delivers keynote address at ILO World of Work Summit, Geneva (2018)
• President addresses the Ibec Business Leaders conference (2017)
• President gives an address at the official opening of the ICTU Biennial Conference (2017)
• President visits the International Labour Organisation and meets with Irish staff (2015)
• President attends and delivers a keynote address the 10th UNCTAD Debt Management Conference (2015)
• President delivers the Edward Phelan Lecture 2015 as part of ‘The President of Ireland’s Ethics Initiative’ (2015)