WoW – Unveilling the colours of the economy

"WOW – Unveiling the Colours of the Economy" is a three-day event, co-hosted by the ITCILO (International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization) and the ETF (European Training Foundation) Skills Lab Network of Experts. With 100 participants, including leading experts, researchers, practitioners, and key stakeholders, this forum offered an in-depth dialogue on the evolving World of Work. Together, we deepened our understanding of the economic landscape, using a unique colour-coded framework to inspire actionable strategies for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Throughout the event, participants engaged in collaborative discussions, utilizing advanced learning technologies and participating in a strategic foresight exercise to envision future economic scenarios.

OBJECTIVES

• Gain a deeper understanding of the economic and societal landscape using the innovative colour-coded framework.

• Actively participate in immersive strategic foresight exercises to envision future economic scenarios.

• Explore global economic trends and reflect on the future dynamics of the World of Work.

• Engage with leading experts, innovators, and practitioners across diverse sectors to exchange insights.

• Promote and strengthen cross-sector collaboration to drive sustainable and inclusive growth.

CONTENT

The colours at the heart of the event are the following:

• Blue Economy: sustainable marine and freshwater management, including fisheries, aquaculture, and water-based tourism, ensuring ecosystem health and economic viability;

• Gold Economy: technology and digitalization, activities leading high-tech innovation such as digital finance, advanced technologies, and premium digital services;

• Green Economy: with a focus on the Circular Economy: sustainability, renewable energy, green manufacturing, and eco-friendly practices aimed at minimizing environmental footprints and optimizing the use of resources;

• Orange Economy: cultural and creative industries, encompassing arts, entertainment, fashion, design, architecture, advertising, software, publishing, and research and development;

• Silver Economy: targets the aging population’s needs and aspirations, focusing on entrepreneurship, older workers, retirement planning, and age-friendly products and services;

• White Economy: health and social care sectors, critical for societal well-being and in facing challenges like resilience in a poly-crisis context;

• Yellow Economy: new development models and opportunities in the desert, such as desert tourism, use of renewable energies, sustainable agriculture and enterprise development.

Key cross-cutting topics:

• Labour market evolution, including skills anticipation and job creation;

• Comprehensive strategies for upskilling and reskilling;

• Advancing equality, diversity, and inclusion with a special emphasis on gender and youth;

• Exploring the implications of technological advancements such as AI;

• Adapting to evolving workplace conditions.

Future Foresight component, through scenario planning exercises and exploring emerging trends, supporting participants to anticipate future economic and societal shifts, including:

• Future world impact on the nature of work, including changes in job roles, skills, workspaces, working conditions, the economic system, and policy frameworks;

• Identify potential levers and barriers and gather insights on what could boost or challenge future trends.

NUMBER OF HOURS: 20 hours