FES Geneva: about us

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung draws on the heritage of Friedrich Ebert, Germany's first democratically elected head of state. The focus of the FES Geneva office lies on developing countries, emphasizing capacity building, South-South dialogue as well as Dialogue on Globalization (coordinated via triangle of FES-offices in Berlin, Geneva and New York). We are linked to the Berlin based FES-department for Global Policy and Development.

The current focus of our work lies in four main areas of international Geneva (see UN - United Nations in Geneva): one is trade and development (see WTO - World Trade Organization), the other labour standards and human rights. In addition, human security and climate change are two cross-cutting issues on our list of priorities.

FES Geneva works in cooperation with Geneva based international organizations and their staff. The individual partner include both non-state actors (NGO-activists, trade unionists, journalists, academics and parliamentarians) and representatives of governments (including members of diplomatic missions). We organize conferences, seminars, workshops and dialog sessions, training and information programs with international participation, and provide studies, consultancy reports, and other publications.

Our office in Geneva is located in close proximity to the Palais des Nations and the WTO building. The office has six permanent staff members and provides internships for students specializing in international affairs, economic and human rights policy.

For further information on the work of FES Geneva, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Newsletter February 2012

The Geneva Office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES Geneva) presents its newsletter, designed to inform you of our activities and publications as well as of recent and upcoming events and developments at the Geneva-based international organizations.

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Newsletter February 2012

Upcoming Event

Study Visit on the Occasion of the 101st International Labour Conference

04 - 08 June 2012, Geneva

Trade union coordinators from twelve FES country offices in Sub-Saharan Africa will be in Geneva during the second week of the 101st International Labour Conference (ILC). How do the ILC and the ILO function? What are currently the major topics in the international working world? What does trade policy have to do with the work of trade unions? These and more questions will be at heart of this one-week study visit.

Recent Events

Consultation Meeting with the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Environmental Law and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

11 May 2012, La Perle du Lac, Geneva

Environmental factors have great impact on the realization of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR). While the UN Committee on ESCR has addressed this issue in various General Comments and Concluding Observations on State reports, it has not yet dealt with this issue in a structural manner. In view of the upcoming Rio+20 summit on sustainable development and the strong criticism of its neglect of human rights considerations, this meeting allowed the Committee to discuss a coherent approach and unequivocal contribution to Rio+20 from a human rights perspective.

Program

List of participants

Background Paper

FES/WTO Seminar for French-speaking Journalists from Sub-Sahara Africa on World Trade and Sustainable Development

30 April - 4 May 2012

“World Trade and Sustainable Development” is the title of the regular one week information seminar for journalists from developing countries specialized in economy and trade. FES Geneva and the World Trade Organization (WTO) select journalists from about 15 countries to provide them with a deeper understanding of the multilateral trading system and social aspects of development. At the beginning of May 2012, journalists from various French speaking countries, mainly from Sub-Sahara Africa, participated in this seminar.

Program

List of participants

Expert Meeting: "The ILO's Social Protection Floor - Lobbying for a Strong Recommendation"

29 - 30 March 2012 at Chateau de Bossey

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At the 101st international labour conference in June 2012, delegates from governments, employers and workers will decide on a recommendation for a worldwide social protection floor. To achieve a strong recommendation, support by all stakeholders is needed. NGOs might play a crucial role in this process. At this two days workshop, NGOs from North and South came together to strengthen strategic alliances in favour of a strong ILO recommendation.

Program

Key Resources

Expert Meeting: "Safe communities, resilient systems: Towards a new Action Framework for Business and Peacebuilding"

25 - 27 March 2012 at Chateau de Bossey

The Geneva Peacebuilding Platform and the Geneva Office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, in collaboration with the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office held this expert meeting as first gathering of a one-year process that works towards a new action framework for business and peacebuilding. This framework focuses on how best to strengthen the dispute resolution and prevention capacities of communities on the ground, as well as the respective roles of business and peacebuilding actors to support such efforts.

Program