On the 10th of February, 2009, 10h30, the Honoris Causa Doctorate by the School of Economics, of Dr. Juan Somavia, Director-General of the International Labour Organization, was held at the Sala dos Capelos, University of Coimbra Rectory, his Sponsor being Dr. Jorge Sampaio, and whose laudation was given by Professor Pedro Hespanha, School of Economics Professor and CES researcher.

Dr. Juan Somavia’s presentation was given by Professor António Casimiro Ferreira, School of Economics Professor and CES researcher.

This Honoris Causa Doctorate came within an internationalization policy that the School of Economics has come to take on, for instance the doctorate degrees granted to political figures such as Aristides Pereira, Fernando Henriques Cardoso, Jaques Delors and Joaquim Chissano. Furthermore, it also served as means to commemorate of the 35th anniversary of the School of Economics and the20th anniversary of the Degree in Sociology.

Biographic Note

The International Labour Organization (ILO), of which Portugal is a founding member, following the Treaty of Versailles, signed 1919, has as Director-General Juan Somavia, one of today’s most respected leaders of the United Nations, elected as Director-General of ILO by the Governing Body in March 23rd, 1998. His mandate begun in March 1999, becoming the first southern hemisphere representative to lead the organization. In March, 2003 he was re-elected for a second five year mandate.

Lawyer by occupation, he has had a long and distinguished public career at a national and international level. His vast experience in several fields of public life whilst diplomat and scholar and his involvement in social, business and civil society development organizations have contributed towards his engagement in the defence of dignified labour for women and men throughout the world.

Since he was invested with office, in 1999, Juan Somavia has assumed the challenges posed by the deep economical, social and political transformations the world presently faces. As early as 1999, he submitted to the International Labour Conference his Agenda for Dignified Labour that was adopted by the Governing Body and by the International Labour Conference.

ILO activities have reorganized themselves around four strategic goals – fundamental rights and principles of labour, equal employment and income opportunities, protection and social security, social dialogue and tripartism -, rendering possible the establishment of measurable indicators and aims concerning progress accomplished in sociolaboural and social protection fields.