*{Integrating Economic, Social and Environmental Priorities: The Case for International Policy Coherence [http://www.weforum.org/site/knowledgenavigator.nsf/Content/Integrating%20Economic%2C%20Social%20and%20Environmental%20Priorities%3A%20The%20Case%20for%20International%20Policy%20Coherence?open&topic_id=300250000&theme_id=300]

            04.02.2002

            Annual Meeting 2002}

            *partie=titre Formal Links Needed to Create International Policy Cohesion *partie=nil

            International organizations should listen to each other more. Simply stated, that was the conclusion of this session, which examined the way labour and environmental issues are integrated into the policy agendas of trade, finance and development organizations. As the globalization debate accelerates amid calls for a cross fertilization of ideas from a broader spectrum of opinion, participants said it is crucial that the voices of labour and environmental organizations be heard at the WTO, the IMF and World Bank. "The issue is, how to fold in other values in the decision-making process and create policy cohesion," said Daniel C. Esty, Director, Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, USA.

            Juan Somavia, Director-General, International Labour Organization (ILO), Geneva, outlined the scope of the problem. He said each organization has its own system of policy development, which often leads to contradictory recommendations. For example, job creation is at the heart of the debate for the ILO, but does not figure prominently on the agenda for the elimination of global poverty. In the short term, Somavia said multilateral organizations must link with each other. "The absence of cohesion is impacting many people and families," Somavia declared.

            For Trevor Manuel, Minister of Finance of South Africa, policy cohesion means striking a balance between the well-being of people today and future generations. He suggested several ways of thinking about environmental policies in the context of trade and finance: integrating the full cost of environmental degradation, pollution taxes and increasing environmental regulations.

            Some participants endorsed the idea of the interconnectedness of these different interest groups, and said there is a strong case to be made for linking labour and environmental issues with globalization and trade. "Work and the environment are the same issue," said Tony Juniper, Vice-Chair, Executive Committee, Friends of the Earth International. He noted there is no global institution on environment that matches the institutional weight of the IMF.

            Many agreed the global agenda is often driven by economic concerns, to the neglect of the environment, which is being depleted and degraded. They believe the environment is key to solving other problems, including labour. William B. Jordan, General Secretary, International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), Brussels, said there must be formal, institutional links between international organizations to increase cooperation and effectiveness. "Each organization should report to the other, so the WTO has to at least recognize what is happening in the world of work," Jordan explained. "The first step should be to report to each other on how one body impacts another." In addition, Jordan said it is important for the WTO to have labour standards when considering its policies.

            Participants made several proposals on how international organizations can better monitor their work and impact, and convey their message to the public. Suggestions included a rating system for international agencies, a global auditing organization to monitor transparency and accountability, or a self-grading mechanism. They also urged organizations to work on better communicating their objectives and to make their decision-making more democratic. One participant said a religious element should also be integrated into how these organizations function.
                        *{Contributors:       Baumgarten Jean-Claude
                  Esty Daniel C.
                  Fischer Stanley
                  Jacquet Pierre
                  Jordan William B.
                  Kakabadse Navarro Yolanda
                  Lafer Celso
                  Lemierre Jean
                  Manuel Trevor
                  Mayo Ed
                  McLarty Thomas F.
                  Rajasekaran Govindasamy
                  Reich Robert B.
                  Samans Rick
                  Sandor Richard
                  Somavia Juan
                  Tay Simon S. C.}