PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Cipriani College of Labour and Cooperative Studies (CCLCS) have reinforced their long-standing partnership with the signing of an updated Cooperation Agreement on 06 March 2025. The renewed Agreement builds on a partnership that spans over two decades and sets the stage for new initiatives to support knowledge-sharing and capacity-building in the Caribbean region.
A new chapter: Implementation of joint activities
The 2025 Agreement focuses on strengthening joint efforts to address the evolving needs of the Caribbean labour market. Key areas of collaboration include capacity-building, research and knowledge-sharing, and promoting the Decent Work Agenda through academic programmes and public outreach. The partnership will also address critical issues such as Just Transition, solidarity economy, lifelong learning, and occupational safety and health through joint initiatives and conferences. Additionally, both institutions will work together to raise awareness of labour rights and the Decent Work Agenda through ILO World Days and CCLCS’s flagship events, such as the biannual World of Work Fora and annual thematic conferences.
During the signing ceremony, Dr Joni Musabayana, Director of the ILO Decent work Team and Office for the Caribbean, emphasized the significance of the strengthened partnership.
“The ILO is deeply committed to advancing decent work and social justice in the Caribbean, and our collaboration with Cipriani College has been a cornerstone of this effort. This updated Agreement reflects our shared vision of empowering workers, strengthening labour institutions, and promoting sustainable development. Together, we will continue to build a future where every worker in the region can thrive in dignity and fairness.”
Dr André Vincent Henry, director of CCLCS, highlighted the College’s dedication to its mission:
“Cipriani College is proud to renew its partnership with the ILO, an Organization that has been instrumental in shaping labour education and research in the Caribbean. This Agreement reaffirms our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education that empowers workers and communities. Through this collaboration, we will continue to raise awareness of labour rights, promote the Decent Work Agenda, and contribute to the region’s sustainable development.”
A history of successful partnership
The collaboration began in January 2000 with the ILO donating its library collection to the College, which by 2008, was housed in a purpose-built facility serving students and the public. “This library continues to be an invaluable resource for researchers throughout the region,” noted Dr Henry, while Musabayana added:
“Looking ahead, we see tremendous potential to leverage digital technologies to extend our training programmes across the Caribbean.”
Previous renewals in 2007, 2011, and 2015 expanded the partnership to include technical advice, academic support, and joint training initiatives such as the 2011 Labour Market Information System programme for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.
The ILO and CCLCS share a philosophy rooted in empowering workers. This alignment has driven their collaboration since the early days, with the ILO supporting the launch of CCLCS’s Bachelor of Arts in Labour Studies, Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health, and the Diploma in Industrial Relations Practice in 2007.
By 2015, the partnership had expanded to include capacity-building initiatives with the ILO’s International Training Centre in Turin, Italy, positioning CCLCS as a regional hub for labour education and training.
The updated Cooperation Agreement underscores the enduring value of this partnership in addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the Caribbean. By leveraging combined expertise and resources, both institutions are poised to make significant contributions to the region’s sustainable development and the realization of decent work for all.
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