Conference on Invisible Work at the University of Fribourg (29 July 2019, Fribourg)

Conference on Invisible Work at the University of Fribourg 

One-hundred years after its formation, the International Labour Organization (ILO) is celebrating its centenary through conferences and debates held around the world. The universities of Fribourg and of Geneva are contributing to these celebrations through a series of events throughout the autumn of 2019. One of these events, The Invisible Work: human and social challenges, is a conference that will take place in Fribourg, Switzerland, between the 30-31 August 2019. 

One statistical estimate says that about two thirds of active time used by humanity is used in performing work not covered in wage contracts. Not only are the usual intellectual references to work not necessarily reflective of the majority done, but they completely fail to encompass the variety of non-wage forms of work such as transportation or shopping, referred to as “hidden work” by Ivan Illich. 

Through both social and economic lenses, these areas of disconnect between current definitions and the reality of daily life for many will be examined, as well as the role that social Christian teachings could have. It is also important to note that the Conference is not solely a scholarly gathering, but it is concerned with real life experiences and stories from the world of work. 

Throughout its duration, the conference will have a series of Plenary sessions covering a wide range of topics related to invisible work. The topics from day one includes: Searching for the invisible work, Micro-enterprise Reality, Invisible Work, and Domestic Work. These are then followed by the following topics on day two:  Value of work and Forced Labour, Value of work and Voluntary work, Work and Family, and Invisible Work – Philosophical and Theological Dimension. 

Please follow the link below for the full program: 

http://www.aiesc.net/web/wp-content/uploads/Documents/Aiesc2019-prog-version0.pdf 

For more information, please contact the Conference Coordinator: Mr. Pascal Ortelli: pascal.ortelli@dignitedeveloppement.ch / +41 (0)79 575 41 59