ILO Director-General Receives a Lifetime Achievement Award for Promoting MDGs

Juan Somavia, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) has received a “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his work towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and promoting social development.

Mr. Somavia received the honor from the MDG Awards Committee which cited his “vision and advocacy in support of the need to secure decent work for women and men throughout the world”.

The ceremony was held as world leaders gathered in New York for a UN MDG Summit on 20-22 September to accelerate progress towards the MDGs.

“In this struggle, we must do better and aim higher. Inspired by a new vision where the dignity and security of working families lead us into a more powerful world. If you want peace, promote social justice” said Juan Somavia in his acceptance speech.

This annual MDG Award is intended to support and raise awareness of the Millennium Development Goals by providing a high profile platform to honor and celebrate exemplary efforts by national governments and civil society stakeholders in advancing these international development goals. The MDG Awards are a collaboration of the United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP) and the Millennium Campaign,

Since becoming Director-General in 1999, Mr Somavia has been a tireless advocate for the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda to provide opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. The goals of the Decent Work Agenda are in line with those of the Millennium Declaration.