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Sharan Burrow        

International Labor Rights Advocate & First Female General Secretary of the ITUC

Sharan Burrow holds a significant place in the history of international labor movements. Burrow was the General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) for a solid twelve years, from 2010 to 2022. Prior to this, she served as the President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) from 2000 to 2010, making her a prominent figure in Australian trade union leadership and an advocate for workers' rights.

Throughout her career, Burrow has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing labor rights. Notably, she was involved in the "Your Rights at Work" campaign, which was a significant movement against the Howard government's "WorkChoices" legislation in Australia. Additionally, she has served on various corporate boards, including Danone, highlighting her ability to navigate and influence corporate environments. Her involvement with non-profit organizations such as the International Centre for Trade Union Rights and the European Climate Foundation further speaks to her broad areas of expertise.

Aside from her union leadership, Burrow has been recognized for her advocacy for women's rights and the inclusion of women in the workplace and unions. In fact, she was the first woman to become General Secretary of the ITUC and the second woman to become President of the ACTU. Furthermore, she has been a member of the Global Commission for the Economy and Climate since 2014, underlining her commitment to sustainable development. In recognition of her contributions, Burrow has been honored as a companion of the Order of Australia.

Burrow is currently a Visiting Professor in Practice at the LSE-Grantham Institute, a board member of the European Climate Foundation, a board member of the Green Hydrogen Association, Co-Chair of the IEA Labour Council, a Commissioner for the Global Commission on Climate Governance and Deputy Chair of the B Team.

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