Category: FERMUN 2024

Unprecedented global collaboration at ILO Committee 2 to combat racism in the workplace. In a historic session, Committee 2 of the International Labour Organization (ILO 2) brought together representatives of thirty-three States to address the pressing problem of racism in the workplace. Chaired by Adrienne Husny, Grace Baylis and Selma Surieux, the committee sought solutions to combat racism and challenge gender stereotypes in the third sector.

The committee, made up of influential nations such as the US, China and the UK, recognised the urgent need to act on the alarming rise in workplace discrimination on the basis of ethnicity. The resolution, spearheaded by spokespersons from Sweden, received significant support from co-signatories such as Germany, Saudi Arabia and Australia.

Committee members underlined the fundamental importance of fostering an inclusive work environment, where diversity is not only accepted but celebrated. Interventions by several delegates reiterated the sentiment that discrimination in the workplace is an impediment to social justice and sustainable world peace.

One aspect of the resolution that attracted particular attention was the creation of a supervisory body within the ILO. This body would play a crucial role in gathering information, developing international guidelines to protect complainants and conducting statistical tests on companies to analyse their responses to discrimination problems.

One of the innovative aspects of the resolution is the call for large companies to be transparent about the ethnic pay gap. Companies with more than 250 employees are encouraged to disclose pay differentials, and could be fined if the difference exceeds 10%. The resolution also calls for the creation of a commission to annually assess the extent of racism in the workplace, on a global scale.

In addition to calling for sanctions against perpetrators of verbal or non-verbal racist attacks, the commission also aims to change the organisational culture by promoting non-discriminatory training programmes and mechanisms to ensure equal access to promotion.

This resolution by ILO Committee 2 is not simply a response to a problem, but a bold statement in favour of a future that celebrates diversity and where all people, regardless of their background, can thrive in a fair and equitable working environment. 

Léa Mongenot and Kenza Zaulfikaraly

The International Labour Organisation was the scene of a fine first afternoon at the ILO 1 Committee, focusing on fundamental labour rights and modern slavery. The session saw dynamic interaction between governments, trade unions and employers’ representatives, underlining the complexity and urgency of these global issues.

The session began with a question-and-answer session led by the Chair to break the ice and set the mood. Following this, a number of governments, including Indonesia, India and Germany, took the floor to present their policy papers, highlighting their different perspectives on the issue: “How can measures to tackle modern slavery be strengthened?” Each delegation had the opportunity to present its ideas, with contributions from governments, trade unions and employers’ representatives.

The first phase of lobbying by the fundamental rights delegates was devoted to the issue of controlling modern slavery. A Japanese worker suggested forming a coalition against complicit governments. This proposal was strongly supported by the Chinese delegates, who were particularly well prepared. China positioned itself as a developing country, expressing its feeling of being hindered by Western economies dependent on its cheap labour.  Barbados focused on education as a means of combating modern slavery, underlining the importance of investing in human capital.

After a well-deserved break, the alliances focused on selecting the main sponsors for the resolutions. The debates resumed with renewed lobbying to finalise these resolutions and affirm support for one of the two resolutions. 

The first resolution, presented by Indonesia, saw the Indian government and Australian workers as the main sponsors. This proposal stresses the importance of international collaboration and concrete measures to combat modern slavery. 

The second resolution was tabled by the United States. There was also an alliance between workers and the Indian government, seeking to negotiate a labour agreement with Saudi Arabia in exchange for financial resources. However India seemed to prefer an alternative approach. 

American workers and employers worked closely together, while the Rwandan government proposed the creation of a fund to combat slavery and support the poorest families. Barbados, for its part, called for a specific aid fund.

In summary, during this first afternoon of debate within the ILO 1 committee, the delegations demonstrated a deep commitment and a willingness to work together to find viable solutions to these urgent problems. 

Ruben Buchot and Timothé Fournier

As well as being heads of admin training, Suzanne and Alexandre manage FerMUN’s solidarity fund. This fund helps students in difficulty to finance their travel and conference registration fees. It is used both for students from Ferney-Voltaire and for young people from other countries.

Various projects have been set up to meet this objective, including the sale of FerMUN products that you may have seen at the conference (jumpers, mugs, water bottles, key rings, etc.). 

In addition, this year the two board members organised cake sales at local markets, involving many MUN student members. These sales were successful, enabling several students to travel to Geneva and attend the FerMUN 2024 conference.

Kirsty Hogg, Carla Kishimoto, Eléa Gligorijevic

The 14th edition of the Model United Nations organized by the International High School of Ferney Voltaire begins on Wednesday, January 10, with a grand opening ceremony at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. 560 high school students from 22 countries will participate in simulations of negotiations on the theme of Labor for 3 days at the International Labour Organization offices in Geneva.

Wednesday 10th January
8.30 AM: security check at the United Nations Office, Geneva
10.00 AM: opening ceremony at Palais des Nations (United Nations Office), Geneva
12.00-2.00 PM: staggered lunch at International Labour Organization (cafeteria)
2.00-5.30 PM : debates in committees (ILO)

Thursday 11th January
8.30-12.00 AM: debates in committees (ILO)
12.00-2.00 PM: staggered lunch at ILO (cafeteria)
2.00-6.00 PM : debates in committees (ILO)

Friday 12th January
8.30-12.00 AM: debates in committees (ILO)
12.00-2.00 PM: staggered lunch ILO cafeteria
2.00-4.00 PM:debates in committees (ILO)
4.30-6.00 PM: closing ceremony at ILO 
6.00-9.00 PM: closing party at ILO

On Wednesday 26 April, Angelika Muller, Senior Specialist in Social Dialogue at the International Labour Organisation (ILO), came to talk to us about the organism in which she works.

Our prestigious speaker outlined the characteristics of this very special institution. First of all, in terms of its history, the ILO was created by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, after the First World War. It is one of the oldest international organisations and later became the first specialised agency of the United Nations. On its 50th anniversary, it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its important work throughout the world.

The ILO’s objective is very simple: to promote social justice and decent work. To achieve this, the organisation relies on 5 fundamental rights: the right to social dialogue and freedom of association, the right to health and safety, the guaranteed prohibition of forced labour, the prohibition of child labour and, finally, the prohibition of discrimination and inequality.

The other distinctive feature of the International Labour Organisation is its unique type of negotiation: the tripartite debate. In this type of discussion, there are not one or two delegates per country, but three groups of people per delegation.  The government, trade unions and employers from each country are then given the opportunity to take part in discussions on a wide range of topics, from green jobs to apprenticeships.

Finally, many of the issues will be addressed at the ILO’s annual conference in June, before being debated by FerMUN delegates at our next conference next year. The only thing we can look forward to now is discussing these issues in the ILO building itself!

The United Nations (UN) is an organization which defines what we do at FerMUN which is why it is important to know its origins.

The UN was founded in 1945 after world war II to try and prevent future international conflicts by promoting discussion and cooperation between different countries of the world.

The creation of the United Nations is the result of 51 countries cooperating with each other and redacting the UN charter. Its aim is to maintain world peace and world security, promote economic and social sustainability, protect human rights and provide assistance to countries impacted by catastrophes. The UN is an organization working with governments, NGOs and citizens from the whole entire world. Its aim is to develop strategies to solve world issues and help the most vulnerable.

In short, the creation of the UN is an important step towards international cooperation to promote peace, security and well-being in our world. The UN is still playing a major role in the resolution of conflicts and in the protection of human rights, while serving as a platform for international cooperation on decisive problems such as education, health and eradicating poverty.

Capucine Alexandre

The FerMUN 2024 conference will be hosted by the International Labour Organization in Geneva on 10th,11th & 12th January 2024.