Laser microscope measurements

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) dedicated to improving labour conditions and living standards throughout the world. Established in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles as an affiliated agency of the League of Nations, the ILO became the first affiliated specialized agency of the United Nations in 1946.

The main functions of the ILO are as follow:

 The development and promotion of standards for national legislation to protect and improve working conditions and standards of living;

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 Provides technical assistance in social policy and administration and in workforce training;

 Fosters cooperative organizations and rural industries;

 Compiles labour statistics and conducts research on the social problems of international competition, unemployment and underemployment, labour and industrial relations, and technological change (including automation);

 Helps to protect the rights of international migrants and organized labour.

(https://www.ilo.org/global/lang--en/index.htm).

In its first decade, the ILO was primarily concerned with legislative and research efforts, with defining and promoting proper minimum standards of labour legislation for adoption by member states, and with arranging for collaboration among workers, employers, government delegates, and ILO professional staff. During the worldwide economic depression of the 1930s, the ILO sought ways to combat widespread unemployment. With the postwar breakup of the European colonial empires and the expansion of ILO membership to include poorer and less developed countries, the ILO addressed itself to new issues, including the social problems created by the liberalization of international trade, the problem of child labour, and the relationship between working conditions and the environment. Among intergovernmental organizations, the ILO is unique in that its approximately 175 member states are represented not only by delegates of their governments but also by delegates of those states‘ employers and workers, especially trade unions. National representatives meet annually at the International Labour Conference. The ILO‘s executive authority is vested in a 56-member Governing Body, which is elected by the Conference. The International Labour Office in Geneva, Switzerland, composed of the permanent Secretariat and professional staff, handles day-to-day operations under the supervision of an appointed director general. The ILO has international civil servants and technical-assistance experts working in countries throughout the world.

Self-Assessment Exercise:

Briefly discuss the main objectives of ILO.

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4.0 CONCLUSION

This unit has examined the historical background of selected institutions under the umbrella of the United Nation. From the discussion, it is observed that each institution/agents has its own specular mission, goals and responsibilities as regarding economic reforms in both developed and developing countries alike. Nigeria is one of the developing countries that has benefited from these agencies in one way or the others. For instance, World Health Organization (WHO) has been supporting the government‘s efforts to improve the health status of all Nigerians over the years. Also, in support of the Nigerian government‘s efforts in addressing the lingering security challenges in the country, the United Nations, under the framework of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF) initiative on ―Integrated Assistance for Countering Terrorism‖ (I-ACT) initiated, through UNESCO Abuja office, a project titled, ‗Conflict Prevention and De-radicalization of Youth in Nigeria through Cultural Dialogue and Education.‘ The project supported conflict prevention, promote peace education and contribute to de-radicalization of youth and adults in Nigeria. In each of UNESCO‘s fields of competence, namely education, culture, sciences and communication and Information, gender equality is mainstreamed into planning and implementation of programmes. Finally, we can conclude that all agencies in the United Nations perform unique functions to positively touch lives in Nigeria and the rest of the world.

5.0 SUMMARY

In this unit, we have briefly discussed seven agencies that were establish within the pinnacle of the United Nation. These agencies include International Labor Organization (ILO), Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Health Organization (WHO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Moreover, we have examined the aim, structures, functions and location of each of these agencies. From your understanding of this unit, you should be able to

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explain the mission of each of these agencies of the United Nation. Also, it is expected that knowing the functions of these agencies will prepare you for the next study unit.

6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT

i. Highlight any four functions of the following agencies: UNESCO, UNCTAD, WHO, FAO, UNIDO, and IFAD.

ii. Are there duplication of duties among these agencies, discuss?

7.0

REFERENCES/FURTHER READINGS

https://infoguidenigeria.com/8-functions-unesco-nigeria/

https://caast-net-plus.org › page › attach › Attachment_2_Nigeria_UNESCO http://www.fao.org/home/en/

https://www.ifad.org/en/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization https://en.unesco.org/news/youthmobile-initiative-nigeria https://www.britannica.com/topic/UNESCO

https://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/United-Nations-Related-Agencies/The-Food-and-Agriculture-Organization-of-the-United-Nations-FAO-PURPOSES.html

https://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/United-Nations-Related-Agencies/The-Food-

and-Agriculture-Organization-of-the-United-Nations-FAO-PURPOSES.html#ixzz628CCaWFS

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(https://www.unido.org/)

https://www.suedafrika-botschaft.at/en/international-relations/multilateral-relations/united-nations-industrial-development-organization-unido.html https://www.eda.admin.ch/deza/en/home/partnerships-mandates/partnerships-multilateral-organisations/un-agencies/ifad.html

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UNIT 4 THE BRETTON WOODS INSTITUTIONS (IMF, THE