What’s the point of studying global labour policy if you never see it in action?

That’s exactly the gap the IRE1600HF field course set out to fill—and it delivered far more than expected. Instead of analyzing trade and labour frameworks in a classroom bubble, we stepped into the very institutions where those conversations are shaped. Whether it was the Government of Flanders coordinating labour, social, and economic policy across EU states, or the WTO debating the place of labour rights in global trade deals, the experience gave life to the theory.

It also gave us an unexpected bonus: a crash course in European geography.

Brussels: Labour Policy in Motion

Brussels, our first stop, grounded us in the EU’s unique model of labour governance.

At the Government of Flanders, Elien Warbrouck walked us through the behind-the-scenes complexity of policymaking at the regional level, where social dialogue, labour priorities, and national constraints intersect. From there, Fleur Rondelez (ILO) and Koen Detavernier (We Social Movements) shared how collective voice and grassroots activism remain central to advancing worker protections across Europe.

A visit to the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) brought the data into focus. With insights from Kalina Arbadjieva, Marouane Laabbas El Guennouni, and Bart Vanhercke, we learned how research, policy analysis, and economic modeling support collective bargaining frameworks across borders. Marouane also sparked a lively discussion on climate change and its ripple effects on labour markets, highlighting the urgency of adapting social protections for a greener, and more precarious, future of work.

Geneva: A Global Dialogue on Labour and Trade

Geneva offered more than a glimpse behind the curtain—it immersed us in the real-world tensions between trade, labour, and enforcement.

At the WTO, economist Marc Bacchetta challenged us to consider the often-competing interests between labour protections and economic liberalization. His talk was thought-provoking and refreshingly honest—raising hard questions about whether global trade deals can (or will) accommodate strong social safeguards.

The experience deepened with a guided tour by Trineesh Biswas, where we literally walked through the halls where global trade policy takes shape. Suddenly, these institutions weren’t distant bureaucracies—they were places where the outcomes of our classroom debates are negotiated in real time.

Then came two full days at the International Labour Organization (ILO), where conversations with Marva Corley-Coulibaly, Anne Seibert, Janine Berg, Veronica Escudero, and Uma Rani uncovered the mechanics of setting and enforcing international labour standards. Uma Rani’s reflections on digital labour platforms were especially resonant: “Artificial intelligence isn’t so artificial,” she reminded us. “Behind every algorithm are workers—tagging, moderating, and cleaning data—often in precarious conditions.” It was a powerful call to remember the human costs behind the digital economy.

Our student Q&As added real energy to the room—posing tough questions about enforcement, forced labour, and corporate accountability that prompted frank, often nuanced responses.

Paris: ESG, Inclusion, and the Road Ahead

Our final stop took us to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, where global policy and corporate responsibility collide.

Here, discussions turned to inclusive growth, responsible business conduct, and the “S” in ESG—Social impact. Expert speakers, including Lukas Kleine-Rueschkamp, helped us zoom out from individual policies to broader labour market trends. We dove into the nuances of corporate due diligence and debated whether companies are truly walking the talk—or just checking boxes.

A highlight of the visit was hearing from current OECD interns who shared behind-the-scenes perspectives on their projects, from urban labour reforms in cities like Amsterdam and Vienna to global efforts supporting ethical supply chains. Their work revealed how early-career professionals can meaningfully contribute to shaping labour standards at the international level.

Fun fact: security at the OECD was no joke. At one point, it felt like we needed a certificate in social responsibility just to get through the door.

Final Thoughts

Throughout the course, a common theme emerged: global labour governance is messy, complex, and full of difficult trade-offs. But that’s exactly what made the experience transformative.

We weren’t just observers—we were participants. Experts welcomed our questions, challenged our assumptions, and shared candidly about the real limits and opportunities of institutional reform. And in doing so, they reminded us that the future of labour policy will depend not just on top-down regulations, but on bold, informed, and values-driven leadership.

For those of us studying HR, industrial relations, or labour policy, the lessons were clear:

Global systems shape local outcomes. Context matters. And the work of protecting workers doesn’t end when the policy is written—it begins there.

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to experience these institutions up close, and I would strongly encourage future students to take full advantage of this course. It challenges you. It expands you. And it prepares you to engage with the real world—messy, nuanced, and all the more meaningful because of it.

Mehreen Khan and Aneeza Farooqui