14 June, 2010
The ICEM and the International Metalworkers’ Federation (IMF) will jointly hold the “Triple Crisis of Sustainability” Conference this week, 18-19 June, in Toronto, Canada, to give a full workers’ airing to the economic, environment, and social consequences brought on by global financial crisis. The Conference’s aim is to prepare a worldwide workers’ and communities’ declaration for the G8 and G20 summits, also to be held in Toronto the following week.
As of today, 14 June, 270 trade union and other leaders from over 50 countries are registered to attend. The conference runs from 9h00 to 17h30 on both 18 and 19 June at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen Street West.
Both ICEM and IMF share the belief that the crises of failing economies, environmental inaction, and social disorder have occurred due to lack of financial and environmental regulations, as well as inept financial governance of markets. The conference will ensure that the voices of global workers are heard on these issues before the G8 and G20 summits convene, and then presented to financial and political leaders in a common declaration.
Jobs, workers’ rights, social protections, quality public services, and sustainability – both on environmental stewardship and in providing decent work – is expected to serve as the core of the declaration.
Keynote speakers will include United Steelworkers (USW) President Leo Gerard, David Donnelly, a leading environmental attorney connected with Canada’s Blue-Green Alliance, and John Evans, the General-Secretary of the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) to the OECD
Specific panels will address the economic crisis, sustainable development and climate change, and corporate governance. The conference’s programme has been built to allow for maximum comments from all those wishing to be heard on the effects of the social, environmental, and economic crises.