This specialization builds a solid academic base from which critical analyses can be developed and up-to-date policy interventions can be designed. It views the scope for productive employment and decent work in the context of global processes, like the integration of trade and investment and the associated volatilities in the world economy. It investigates resulting challenges such as the informalization of work and the more complex guarantee of labour rights in global value chains. The International Labour Organisation’s (ILO’s) notion of Decent Work and Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach have an important role as conceptual and normative reference points. Adequate policy responses for the generation of productive employment with decent working conditions, enabled by social dialogue and flanked by the provision of social security are being discussed in the different WEG courses. Throughout the Specialization, attention will be paid to cross-cutting themes, such as gender and income inequality. Upon completion of the Specialization, students will be able to effectively contribute to research, training, policy development and advocacy on: the impact of globalization on employment and work, the governance of labour rights, employment creation and work in the informal economy.

Target groups

The Specialization is ideally suited to young professionals interested in labour issues, especially those with an interest in employment creation, labour governance, capabilities for work and the informal economy. Participants usually have a background in a variety of social and political science disciplines and include Labour Ministry officials, labour market researchers, NGO and trade union researchers and activists as well as other national and international officials in a variety of areas connecting to work and employment.

WEG brochure

Download the WEG brochure here