Public Affairs

News & Events

OECD attaches great importance to co-operation with business, labour, parliamentarians, civil society and the general public. They make an important contribution to the work of the OECD. This co-operation builds trust in public institutions and promotes understanding of economic and social change.

News

Civil Society Newsletter

07-Sep-2009

Our latest newsletter is now available.

Regional action: What governments are doing

10-Apr-2009

With regions bearing the brunt of the global downturn, politicians responsible for regional and territorial development in Australia, Brazil, the European Commission, Finland, Japan, Poland and the United States outline their response to the economic crisis.

Rural Policy Review of China (Policy Brief)

20-Mar-2009

Over the past three decades, China has made remarkable progress in raising the standard of living of its rural population. Using the country’s definition of poverty, the number of people living below the poverty line in rural areas declined from 250 million in 1978 to 21 million in 2006. This progress may now be under threat. The global financial and economic crisis is starting to have an impact on the rural economy, with return migration and a subsequent reduction of remittances.

Forum 2008 Highlights Magazine "Climate Change, Growth, Stability"

31-Jan-2009

Over one thousand six hundred and fifty people came together at OECD Forum 2008 to discuss and debate the hottest issues on the international policy agenda. The full story of OECD Forum 2008 is told in the Highlights magazine - download an electronic copy or request a paper copy by sending a message to oecd.forum@oecd.org.

Tackling the financial crisis is key to economic recovery

27-Oct-2008

In the latest edition of the OECD Observer, Secretary-General Angel Gurría explains how OECD, as a hub for dialogue, can help governments chart a way out of the crisis while Chief Economist Klaus Schmidt-Hebbel says the resumption of economic growth will depend largely on how quickly conditions in financial markets normalise.

Agriculture: Improving Policy Coherence for Development (Policy Brief)

22-Sep-2008

Agriculture plays a central role in economic growth and poverty reduction in developing countries. Although aid remains an important driver for development, including rural development, mutually supportive policies across a wide range of economic, social and environmental issues are needed to support development and poverty reduction.

Highlights Magazine of OECD Forum 2007, Innovation, Growth and Equity

27-Sep-2007

Over one thousand five hundred people came together at OECD Forum 2007 to discuss and debate the hottest issues on the international policy agenda. The full story of OECD Forum 2007 is told in the Highlights magazine - download an electronic copy or request a paper copy by sending a message to oecd.forum@oecd.org.

OECD from a labour perspective

19-Dec-2005

"Governing the Global Economy, What Role for the OECD?" was the discussion topic when members of the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC) had their annual meeting with ambassadors from OECD member countries.

OECD from a business perspective

14-Dec-2005

China, Investment and Technology were top of the agenda when the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC) had their annual meeting with ambassadors from OECD member countries.
For more details of the meeting including Joerg Wuttke's presentation on China,  see the BIAC Web site.


Events

Ask the economists: Education - Learn more, earn more?

on 03-Oct-2007

Read the questions and answers from an online question and answer session on the future of education that took place on Wednesday 3 October with Andreas Schleicher, head of the OECD's Education Indicators and Analysis division. 

OECD High-level Parliamentary Seminar on Innovation, Growth and Equity

on 04-Oct-2007

Obstacles to strengthening innovation performance and productivity, and the policies most likely to improve the adjustment capacity of the economy will be identified.  In view of the persistence of growing inequalities and the risk of job loss, discussion will include the impact of globalisation on wage and income distribution, and analysis of necessary adjustment costs and why governments need to take them seriously.  Relevant recent OECD reports: Staying Competitive in the Global Economy: Moving Up the Value Chain and Offshoring and Employment: Trends and Impact, etc.

Ask the economists: Statistics - separating fact from fiction

Read the questions and answers from this online debate on the role and future of statistics with Enrico Giovannini, the OECD’s Chief Statistician.

Ask the economists: The pensions challenge - financing retirement

from 29-Mar-2007 to 05-Apr-2007

Is there a perfect pension scheme? Do people understand their pension systems?
A live online question and answer session on the issue of pension reform took place on Thursday 5 April.

OECD High-level OECD Parliamentary Seminar on Migration

on 22-Feb-2007

Immigration pressures are increasing in most OECD countries, with some countries experiencing unprecedented waves of immigration and others tightening their entry policies.  Governments are faced with the task of achieving a balance between openness to international migration and the implementation of effective policies to ensure immigrant integration. To do this requires the right mix of selected and non-selected migrants, of temporary and permanent migrants, of high-skilled and low-skilled, and of openness and control.

Ask the economists: Made in China. Is the game changing?

on 17-Jan-2007

Will China remain open to foreign investment? What sort of investor will China be abroad? Click here to read the questions and answers from this online debate with OECD economist Ken Davies about investment and China.

Ask the economists: Russia - will the boom bust?

on 11-Dec-2006

Is Russia relying too much on the energy sector and, if so, what is the cure? Click here  to read the questions and answers from this online debate with OECD economists on the Russian economy .

OECD Secretary-General's official visit to Poland

from 22-Nov-2006 to 25-Nov-2006

During his official visit, Angel Gurría met with key government officials, business leaders and economic experts, and attended speaking engagements to mark the 10th anniversary of Poland’s accession to the OECD.

OECD/ CEPII Club: “The Economy of Major Risks”

on 01-Dec-2006

A meeting jointly organised by OECD and CEPII in Paris.  What new kinds of risks are societies facing? How are the public and private sectors reacting to them? How are these risks affecting the insurance market? Can the risks be mitigating? What kind of government regulation is advisable? Speakers include OECD and CEPII analysts, representatives of the private and public sectors and academia. Participation is by invitation only. For further information, contact meggan.dissly@oecd.org

OECD debates “Migration and Development: What Role for the WTO?” at the WTO Public Forum 2006 "What WTO for the 21st Century?"

on 26-Sep-2006

Globalisation and the increased mobility of goods and services require a fresh look.  The extension of the provisions governing freedom of movement of people, including unskilled labour, can result in substantial gains for developing and transition countries.  Extending provisions for the movement of unskilled workers in the Doha Round under Mode 4 could provide powerful incentives for progress in other areas.



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