Decent work, sustainable livelihoods and climate action: Time for a clean slate?

Abstract

Jobs have arguably failed to deliver for most job holders worldwide, with mass precariousness now the norm across the globe. Where does this leave career development, which is often associated with jobs? One constant is working to make a living. Securing that goal into the future – which is what ‘career’ implies – may require more than just what the United Nations/International Labour Organization call ‘Decent work’. ‘Sustainable Livelihoods’ span multiple forms of work, emphasise social connectedness, including social protection against crises of all kinds, plus protecting the ecosystem for present and future generations. As such, they resonate with all 17 of the 2015–2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. They further imply re-starting anew with a metaphorical clean slate concerning how we (meaning all work and career professionals) conceptualise work, and work together to support sustainable careers for others. Biased in Humanitarian Work Psychology, this paper starts to sketch out a shape for that collaboration.