EAOHP Policy Event in Geneva Concludes with Global Commitment on Mental Health at Work
The European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology (EAOHP) has successfully concluded its two-day policy event, “Psychosocial Risks and Mental Health at Work in the Future of Work,” hosted at the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland. The event, coinciding with World Mental Health Day, brought together global policymakers, UN leaders, social partners, and academic experts, culminating in the signing of the historic Geneva Partnership Commitment. This commitment establishes a new global network dedicated to advancing evidence-based policy and practice on psychosocial risks and mental health in the workplace.
The two-day event built a powerful narrative, starting with a deep dive into the challenges within the United Nations system and broadening to a global call for evidence-based policymaking, demonstrating a clear and urgent need for the newly formed partnership.
Day 1: Setting the Stage within the United Nations
The first day focused on promoting evidence-based policy and practice within the UN. The opening session featured EAOHP President Stavroula Leka, Danielle Guiho (Director of Human Resources, ILO), and Lucia Vinti (UN Mental Health Strategy Team), who framed the critical need for a structured approach to psychosocial risk management.
A high-level roundtable on the UN 2.0 Vision featured compelling insights from Martha Helena Lopez (Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources, UN), Catty Bennet Sattler (UNHCR), Athanasios Chirvatidis (WIPO), and Regan Shercliffe (World Bank). They discussed the necessity of cultivating an organisational culture that thrives on the tenets of the psychosocial risk management process to support workforce resilience and reform.
The afternoon sessions translated this vision into action, with powerful case studies from:
- UNHCR, which showcased its innovative, data-driven dashboard for leveraging data and engagement to manage psychosocial risks.
- UNICEF, which made the case for moving “Beyond Compliance” to ensure organizational accountability is a core part of governance and change management.
- The ILO, which shared its experience reviewing internal policies to better promote mental health and support staff during times of change.
These presentations underscored a common theme: while progress is being made, a more coordinated, evidence-based, and preventative approach is essential for large, complex organizations.
Day 2: Building a Global Consensus for Action
The second day broadened the scope to global policymaking. The day was launched with a powerful keynote address from Yolanda Diaz, Second Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Labour and Social Economy of Spain. She highlighted that good working conditions are a human right and detailed how Spain’s ambitious labour reforms are tackling job precarity to directly improve the mental health of workers.
A session on “Lessons from across countries” provided a rich comparative perspective, with policymakers and experts from Colombia, Italy, Finland, Chile, and France sharing their national experiences in developing and implementing legislation on psychosocial risks. This session revealed common challenges in enforcement and the translation of law into practice, reinforcing the need for international collaboration.
The collaborative spirit was further cemented in a dynamic Policy Stakeholder Roundtable. Chaired by Estelle Ceulemans, MEP, who shared key updates on policy developments at the EU level, the roundtable brought together representatives from the ILO, International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH), EuroCadres, and the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) to discuss aligning policy and building effective partnerships.
The Geneva Partnership Commitment: A Unified Path Forward
The collective insights and shared challenges discussed over the two days led directly to the event’s landmark conclusion: the signing of the Geneva Partnership Commitment.
This commitment formally establishes a global network between the European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology (EAOHP), the Asia-Pacific Academy for Psychosocial Factors at Work (APA-PFAW), the Society for Occupational Health Psychology (SOHP), and the Scientific Committee of the International Commission on Occupational Health on Work Organization and Psychosocial Factors (ICOH-WOPS).
Recalling the inclusion of “a safe and healthy working environment” in the ILO’s framework of fundamental principles and rights at work, the network commits to addressing the significant global disparities in prevention, terminology, coverage, and enforcement related to psychosocial risks. It will support international organizations, governments, and stakeholders through policy-focused initiatives, joint research, and the development of practical, evidence-based tools.
Reflecting on the event, EAOHP President Stavroula Leka stated, “The Geneva Partnership Commitment represents a renewed assurance of sustainable collaboration among key occupational health psychology associations. Our collaboration is now more important than ever to ensure that evidence-based policy making and practice are strengthened globally. We look forward to working with international organisations, such as the ILO, national governments, social partners, and other stakeholders in this endeavour and we thank them for their continued engagement and support.”
The EAOHP is proud to lead this initiative and looks forward to collaborating with its global partners to turn this commitment into tangible action.
Read the full text of the Geneva Partnership Commitment here.
