Decent Work, Inclusion and Sustainability

This content-rich and inspirational book offers complementary theoretical and practical perspectives from detailed research and analysis of decent work, inclusion and sustainability issues in Brazil, Canada, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States and West Africa.

In today’s turbulent world marked by risk and uncertainty, the values of decent work, inclusion and sustainability are no longer a simple choice, but vital guiding principles that enable individuals, organisations, and governments to reimagine work as a source of dignity and purpose, even in the face of adversity. The thirteen chapters in this volume focus on effective ways to support individuals in their search for meaningful self-discovery and work within a career guidance and counselling context.

With a new chapter, conclusion, and a revised introduction, this book will be beneficial to students, researchers, teachers, policymakers, guidance and counselling practitioners who have an interest in decent work, inclusion and sustainability, human psychology, social science, behavioural science, youth work, public employment services, mental health and well-being, counselling, education, and community development. The other chapters were originally published in the British Journal of Guidance and Counselling.

Deirdre Hughes is Associate Professor at the University of Warwick's Institute for Employment Research (IER) in Coventry, England. She is an international careers practitioner, researcher, trainer, and senior policy adviser. For seven years, she led and co-edited an international series of Special Issue Journals on behalf of the British Journal for Guidance & Counselling. In 2012, she was awarded a Queen’s Honorary Medal (2012) for her services to lifelong guidance.

Maria Eduarda-Duarte is Emeritus Professor at the University of Lisbon's Faculty of Psychology, Portugal,where earlier she directed the Master Course in Psychology of Human Resources, Work, and Organizations. Her professional interests include career psychology theory and research, with special emphasis on issues relevant to adults and the world of work. She is a former President of the UNESCO Chair for Lifelong Guidance and Counselling at the University of Wroclaw, Poland.