Brussels – As global challenges continue to mount, the World Customs Organization (WCO) is taking proactive steps to support its member administrations in creating human-centric work environments that prioritize officer well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted all sectors, with customs administrations facing unprecedented pressures to safeguard their personnel's health and safety.
To address the growing need for comprehensive well-being support in this new era, the WCO has launched innovative training materials focused on staff well-being and stress management. These resources aim to empower customs executives to foster resilient organizational cultures and enhance overall team performance.
Human Capital at the Core of Customs Excellence
The WCO recognizes that high-performing customs administrations depend not only on robust systems and advanced technology but equally on healthy, motivated personnel. This understanding has led the organization to position staff well-being as a cornerstone of operational success, integrating well-being considerations into daily operations, processes, organizational culture, and leadership approaches.
Global Human Capital Management Conference: Spotlight on Well-being
On October 10-11, 2022, the WCO successfully conducted its Global Human Capital Management Conference in hybrid format, themed "Well-being at Work – Caring for Our Human Capital." Customs representatives worldwide convened to explore strategies for enhancing officer well-being and building more resilient customs teams.
The conference identified several critical focus areas for customs administrations:
- Measuring Employee Engagement: Regular assessments through surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gauge workforce satisfaction and identify improvement opportunities.
- Optimizing Workplace Design: Creating ergonomic, safe, and productive work environments through improved ventilation, lighting, noise control, and restorative spaces.
- Providing Psychological Support: Establishing comprehensive mental health support systems including counseling services, digital resources, and manager training programs.
- Raising Well-being Awareness: Promoting organizational culture change through internal communications and peer-led initiatives.
New Training Resources: Equipping Leaders for Well-being Transformation
Developed with funding from the WCO-SECO GTFP program, the new training materials provide senior customs managers with practical tools to implement holistic well-being programs and cultivate organizational resilience. These resources complement existing WCO instruments, advancing people-centered strategies across member administrations.
WCO Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya emphasized: "Staff well-being forms the foundation of successful customs organizations. By investing in our personnel's health and happiness, we build more resilient, productive, and effective customs administrations. These training materials provide essential tools for creating human-centric work environments that enhance overall well-being."
Curriculum Highlights: Six-Pillar Approach
The comprehensive five-and-a-half-day workshop covers six thematic modules:
- The Happiness Journey: Exploring well-being science and positive psychology applications.
- Designing Organizational Well-being Programs: Creating tailored initiatives addressing physical, mental, social, and financial well-being.
- Building Individual and Organizational Resilience: Developing coping strategies and supportive organizational structures.
- Physical and Mental Health: Providing mental health first aid training and wellness education.
- Social Well-being and Work-Life Balance: Fostering community and flexible work arrangements.
- Stress Management: Teaching practical techniques for pressure regulation.
Implementation Roadmap
Following endorsement by the Capacity Building Committee, the WCO Secretariat will pilot the materials with interested members while establishing a specialist facilitator network to support global rollout. Additional training resources targeting middle management and frontline officers are also in development.
WCO Capacity Building Director Ping Liu noted: "This initiative represents our ongoing commitment to helping members build people-centered customs administrations. We will continue developing complementary tools to advance officer well-being worldwide."
About the World Customs Organization
As the only intergovernmental organization exclusively focused on customs matters, the WCO serves as the global authority on customs procedures, trade facilitation, and border security. Its 184 member administrations represent over 98% of international trade.
The WCO-SECO Global Trade Facilitation Program supports developing and transition economies in implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement through technical assistance and capacity building.