International Labour Organization: from Versailles to Geneva

Background

The International Labour Organization was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I.
It reflected the belief that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished only if it is based on social justice.
The ILO moved to Geneva in the summer of 1920, with France's Albert Thomas as its first Director.
A Committee of Experts was set up in 1926 to supervise the application of ILO standards, and it is composed of independent jurists.
Government delegates, employers and workers from 41 countries adopted the Declaration of Philadelphia as an annex to the ILO Constitution.
In 1946 the ILO became a specialized agency of the newly formed United Nations.
The ILO established the Geneva-based International Institute for Labour Studies in 1960 and the International Training Centre in Turin in 1965, and won the Nobel Peace Prize on its 50th anniversary in 1969.
Gilbert F. Houngbo of Togo was elected the Organization's 11th Director-General, becoming the first African to hold the position, and took up the role on 1 October 2022.