In recent years, Arica has experienced steady economic growth - yet its impact on poverty reduction has been limited. One reason may be that “decent work” is not being generated in a fair and prompt manner.

To explore this issue, the ILO held a public seminar on December 19, 2007 connecting the TDLC with Ghana and Tanzania. Over 70 experts and practitioners gathered in Tokyo and took part in an active Q & A session with panelists.

Tanzania’s Ambassador Elly Elikunda Elineema Mtango, who heads the African Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo, as well as Ambassador Shuichiro Megata, Personal Representative of the Prime Minister for Africa and Director-General for Sub-Saharan African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, opened the session. The seminar is particularly timely as Japan will be hosting the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) in May.

Moderated by Mr. Shinichi Hasegawa, Director, ILO Office in Japan, the keynote speech was given by Mr. Jürgen Schwettmann, Director, ILO Office for Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda on “Employment Creation in East Africa”. Mr. Minoru Ogasawara, Programme Officer, ILO/IPEC, Geneva followed with a report on “Tackling Child Labour in Africa”.

The Panel Discussion on “ Productive Employment and Wealth Creation in Africa” facilitated by Mr. Schwettmann featured presentations by Ms. Kaori Tanaka, Senior Program Officer, Human Development Dept., JICA; Mr. Shigeru Nakajima, International Representative, JTUC-RENGO; Mr. John McIntire, Country Director, World Bank Tanzania Office (via videoconference); Mr. Shigeki Komatsubara, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Ghana (via videoconference).