6th Global Young Professionals' Academy Concludes with Participants from 26 IOE Member Organisations

The 6th Global Young Professionals' Academy in Istanbul gathered 26 young professionals from IOE member organisations for a week of training, expert insights, and collaborative learning to shape the future of employers' organisations.

Hosted by the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) in partnership with the Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations(TISK) and supported by the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO), this year’s Global Young Professionals' Academy was successfully held for the second time in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 30 September to 4 October 2024.

The 2024 cohort engaged in various activities, such as simulated lobbying and social dialogue training, visiting MEXT Digital Factory, and exploring the significance of their roles in the future of employers' organisations. Reflecting the participating organisations' commitment to diversity, this year’s group included 15 women among the 26 participants, as well as 7 representatives from least developed countries.

Co-funded by the European Union, the Academy brought together senior professionals and global speakers to offer young professionals a broad understanding of global labour relations issues, enriched by peer-to-peer learning.

Notable contributions during the 2024 session included Nishith Upadhyaya – Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) India, who shared his insights on the future of the workplace and key innovation trends, as well as interactive simulation exercises led by Planpolitik. Amadou Sako and Rita Yip, both from IOE, focused on lobbying and advocacy strategies for employers' organisations and on social dialogue and negotiation skills, respectively. Fatima Coulibaly – ECOBANK, provided valuable insights on professional strategies for success. IOE’s Secretary-General, Roberto Suárez Santos, also contributed by discussing the relevance of employers' organisations, highlighting their role in advocating for employers' interests in a unified manner and strengthening the international employers' voice on multilateral platforms.