F1GD 5835 - Managing Power and Policy in Global Labour Governance: The G7, G20, and the ILO

***UPDATED for 2025/26***

Students will learn about different fora advancing decent work issues globally and at national level. As France is set to host the G7 in 2026, they will understand how global policy forums such as the G7 and G20 operate and what are their respective functions. They will also discover the role and structure of the only tripartite organization of the UN system: the International Labour Organization. They will learn how ILO norms are collectively adopted and monitored and examine the “fundamental principles and rights at work”. The course will mix theoretical teaching and insights from the field with examples from different regions and sectors including agriculture, fishing, and construction. The class will also look at the business and human rights framework (UNGPs, OECD guidelines, ILO MNE declaration) and the rise of human rights due diligence legislation.

Learning Outcomes

• Students understand how the G7, G20 and ILO work and how international labour standards are discussed, adopted, and monitored.
• Students understand how stakeholders (governments, workers and employers' representatives, civil society, professional media, etc.) interact within international and national initiatives.
• Students understand some critical human rights and labour rights violation in the world of work and how international labour standards can help prevent, mitigate, and remediate these abuses.
• Students learn about the rise of mHRDD and duty of vigilance laws, including the recently adopted EU CSDD directive.
• Students learn about what countries are doing to create leadership on child labour and forced labour.

Professional Skills

Diplomacy

International law, international labour law

Development aid

Negotiation on global challenges

Students will receive individual feedback on the oral presentation, in-class written assessment and their paper. 10 minutes will be dedicated at the end of each class to collective feedback, summary of lessons learnt and debrief of the guest lectures. Student queries will be addressed, when possible, with written follow-up and additional material.Students will receive individual feedback on the oral presentation, in-class written assessment and their paper. 10 minutes will be dedicated at the end of each class to collective feedback, summary of lessons learnt and debrief of the guest lectures. Student queries will be addressed, when possible, with written follow-up and additional material.

Participation (10%) during the 12 classes.

Group oral presentation (30%). Groups of 3-4 students will be asked to present an issue related to the class of the day.

G7 simulation (30%). During the 11th class.

Individual final paper (30%). To be submitted for the 12th class.

• In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Online learning activities: 1 hour a week / 12 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 1 hour a week / 12 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 1 hour a week / 12 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 20 hours a semester