National economies have grown substantially since the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century yet people have not necessarily seen an increase in opportunities to find decent work or earn a decent income. In fact, in some places, the increased productivity and rising profits associated with automation have directly impacted the availability of decent jobs. According to the International Labour Organization, more than 204 million people were unemployed in 2015, and more than 600 million new jobs are needed by 2030 just to keep pace with the growth of the working-age population. We also need to improve working conditions for the 780 million women and men who are employed but not earning enough to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. In addressing these core issues we will not only see increasing decent work opportunities but also more robust, inclusive and poverty-reducing growth.
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National economies have grown substantially since the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century yet people have not necessarily seen an increase in opportunities to find decent work or earn a decent income. In fact, in some places, the increased productivity and rising profits associated with automation have directly impacted the availability of decent jobs. According to the International Labour Organization, more than 204 million people were unemployed in 2015, and more than 600 million new jobs are needed by 2030 just to keep pace with the growth of the working-age population. We also need to improve working conditions for the 780 million women and men who are employed but not earning enough to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. In addressing these core issues we will not only see increasing decent work opportunities but also more robust, inclusive and poverty-reducing growth.
National economies have grown substantially since the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century yet people have not necessarily seen an increase in opportunities to find decent work or earn a decent income. In fact, in some places, the increased productivity and rising profits associated with automation have directly impacted the availability of decent jobs. According to the International Labour Organization, more than 204 million people were unemployed in 2015, and more than 600 million new jobs are needed by 2030 just to keep pace with the growth of the working-age population. We also need to improve working conditions for the 780 million women and men who are employed but not earning enough to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. In addressing these core issues we will not only see increasing decent work opportunities but also more robust, inclusive and poverty-reducing growth.
This course explores the past and future of work in the context of the SDGs, particularly SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. It examines the state of income and employment around the world, barriers to employment, policies to promote economic opportunity, and the future of work in our rapidly changing world. Encouraging entrepreneurship and job creation are key to achieving the SDGs, as are effective measures to eradicate forced labour, slavery and human trafficking. With these targets in mind, the world can achieve full and productive employment and decent work, for all women and men, by 2030.
This seven-module massive open online course (MOOC) provides an in-depth look at the issues of inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. The topics covered include structural shifts in economies and work; informality, gender and child labor, the modern welfare state; the future of work, and more. The course concludes with a special module by the ILO on realizing decent work for all and achieving SDG 8.
This course is for:
Policy professionals who want to understand frameworks for SDG planning
Development practitioners seeking knowledge on goals-based development
Advanced undergraduates and graduate students interested in economics, development, and other key concepts related to the SDGs
What's inside
Learning objectives
- The link between employment, work, income and wealth
- Global perspectives on changes to formal employment
- The challenges of child labor, gender disparity and informal employment
- Modern welfare state and novel policy instruments
- Structural and institutional models for the future of work
- Artificial intelligence and the future of work
- What it takes to achieve sdg 8 and realize decent work for all, featured in a special module by the ilo.
- The link between employment, work, income and wealth
- Global perspectives on changes to formal employment
- The challenges of child labor, gender disparity and informal employment
- Modern welfare state and novel policy instruments
- Structural and institutional models for the future of work
- Artificial intelligence and the future of work
- What it takes to achieve sdg 8 and realize decent work for all, featured in a special module by the ilo.
Syllabus
Module 1: Decent Work for Sustainable Development
Introduction to SDG 8
Employment, Decent Work and Social Justice for Sustainability
Link between Employment, Work, Income and Wealth
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Syllabus
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Review Jeffrey D. Sachs, The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time
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Develop a policy brief on a topic related to the course
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Writing a policy brief will help you develop your analytical and writing skills, and it will help you to share your knowledge with policymakers.
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Identify a policy issue
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Research the issue
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Develop policy recommendations
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Write a policy brief
Review key concepts from previous courses that are relevant to this course
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Refreshing your knowledge of key concepts will help you build a strong foundation for this course.
Browse courses on
Economics
Show steps
- Identify key concepts from previous courses
- Review your notes
- Take practice quizzes
Watch video tutorials on topics related to the course
Show steps
Watching video tutorials can be a great way to learn new concepts and skills.
Show steps
- Find video tutorials on topics related to the course
- Watch the tutorials
- Take notes
Review Jeffrey D. Sachs, The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time
Show steps
Reviewing Sachs' book will provide a strong foundation for understanding the challenges and opportunities of economic development, a key theme in this course.
View
A New Foreign Policy: Beyond American...
on Amazon
Show steps
- Read the book
- Take notes on the main arguments
- Write a short summary of the book
Participate in a study group or online forum to discuss the course material
Show steps
Engaging with other students will help you understand the material more deeply and identify areas where you need further study.
Show steps
- Find a study group or online forum
- Participate in discussions
- Ask questions
- Answer questions
Compile a list of articles and resources on the future of work
Show steps
Creating a compilation of resources will help you stay up-to-date on the latest thinking about the future of work and its implications for the economy and society.
Browse courses on
Future of Work
Show steps
- Search for articles and resources on the future of work
- Read the articles and resources
- Summarize the key findings of each article or resource
- Organize the summaries into a coherent list
Practice solving problems related to income inequality and poverty
Show steps
Practicing problem-solving will help you develop the skills you need to analyze and address these complex issues.
Browse courses on
Income Inequality
Show steps
- Find practice problems online or in textbooks
- Solve the problems
- Check your answers
Develop a project proposal for a research project on a topic related to the course
Show steps
Working on a project will allow you to apply your knowledge and skills in a practical setting.
Show steps
- Identify a research question
- Develop a research design
- Write a project proposal
Organize and review your notes, assignments, and quizzes
Show steps
Keeping your materials organized will help you stay on track and prepare for exams.
Show steps
- Organize your notes
- Review your assignments
- Take practice quizzes
Develop a policy brief on a topic related to the course
Show steps
Writing a policy brief will help you develop your analytical and writing skills, and it will help you to share your knowledge with policymakers.
Show steps
- Identify a policy issue
- Research the issue
- Develop policy recommendations
- Write a policy brief
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