Statement of the GCSPF for the side event of the Global Partnership on Universal Social Protection (USP2030), New York, 31 January 2018.
Read here the statement.
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Statement of the GCSPF for the side event of the Global Partnership on Universal Social Protection (USP2030)
New York, 31 January 2018
Thank you very much for the opportunity to contribute to this important discussion on behalf of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors.
The Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors is a network of over 90 civil society organizations, trade unions and think tanks from all continents - all committed to support the implementation of ILO Recommendation 202 on national floors of social protection. We advocate for the implementation of universal and human rights-based social protection floors and systems for all.
Our purposes are twofold:
To this end we are involved in international fora, such as the UN High-Level Political Forum, the UN Commission for Social Development and the Human Rights Council. At the same time, our members are active in national dialogues on social protection in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe.
The Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) welcomes this initiative promoting a strong Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection. We are convinced that social protection is a key instrument for the successful implementation of Agenda 2030, especially if we are serious about eradicating poverty and reducing inequality. We want to see the social dimensions of development strengthened and will be very happy to contribute to that goal of the Global Partnership.
We see it as an important step that two strong global players – World Bank and ILO – committed to this joint initiative and agreed to focus on a universal approach seeking to overcome exclusion and fragmentation of programs, ensuring social protection systems that leave no one behind and contribute to cohesive societies. As Global Coalition, we have to insist of course on the importance of the rights-based approach in this endeavor.
We would like to see a Global Partnership with broad participation of all countries around the world, independent of their development stage, inclusive of countries that already offer comprehensive social protection to their population and countries launching their journey towards social protection floors for all. We hope for a governance structure for “USP 2030” that gives equal voice to everyone at the table.
We – of course – would also like to see the effective participation of civil society and trade unions within the Global Partnership and the global campaign, as well as within every national dialogue on social protection. We hope that USP2030 could be another impetus for strengthened coordination efforts among all relevant stakeholders at national level to work towards universal social protection systems.
We heard today here in the discussion, and we also know from the work of our members in many countries, that capacity building, access to knowledge exchange and technical advice are a felt need. Therefore we would like to see knowledge exchange and joint learning at the core of the Global Partnership.
And last but not least, we would like to talk about financing. Countries need to finance their social protection systems in a sustainable way. There are good country examples showing successful and innovative ways to create the necessary fiscal space, while also taking care of the distributional impact of financing choices. But - if we talk about Global Partnership we also have to talk about the international responsibility to support countries to create and protect the fiscal space for social protection floors in good times and in times of crises. Let me mention only two examples:
If I would try to summarize what I have heard here today, at the annual meeting of the GCSPF and at the CSocD, I would say there is a momentum for a global campaign for USP 2030. We would hope that there is also a pledge for financing this initiative in order to use this window of opportunity.
Thank you very much!
Nicola Wiebe
Download the pdf version of the Statement here.
Download here the flyer of the event and here the agenda. See here further information about this side event.
Members of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors will participate in the fifty-sixth session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD56).
The CSocD56 will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 29 January to 7 February 2018. The Commission is the advisory body responsible for the social development pillar of global development.
The Priority Theme for the 2018 Policy Cycle is Strategies for eradicating poverty to achieve sustainable development for all.
GCSPF: Informal meeting
Members of the GCSPF will hold an informal meeting next Wednesday 31st after the morning briefing at 9.45 a.m. approx at the Vienna Cafe.
Universal Social Protection - Towards a Partnership for All
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Universal social protection is crucial to ending poverty and tackling inequalities to leave no one behind. It aims to provide income security and protect people against the risks they face in the different stages of their lives through social assistance, social insurance and labour market interventions.
Join us in an open forum to discuss the needs and opportunities in realizing universal social protection systems: How can “USP2030” address these needs and generate global momentum for countries to achieve SDG 1.3 (“implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage for the poor and the vulnerable”)?
Wednesday 31 January 2018, 1.15-2.45pm - Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations - Read more
Social Protection Floors as key tools for eradicating poverty
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Social protection is a right. A coherent, rights-based approach to social policy will ensure people’s access to basic services and social guarantees. A lack of basic social protection is one of the main reasons why people have been left behind and live in extreme poverty. Today, less than 30 percent of the global population has access to comprehensive coverage, leaving1.6 billion people living in extreme (multidimensional) poverty, unprotected from various set-backs and shocks throughout their lives.
Conference Room D, UNHQ (NYC) - February 2, 2018, 4:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Read more
Strengthening the institutional structures for sustainable development: role of social protection
The side- event aims at discussing some conceptual issues as well as practical solutions pertinent to the work of the 56th session of the Commission for Social Development.
Should social protection be considered a new international social norm? What approaches are the best in making social and environmental policies mutually supportive? What role can social protection play in changing mindsets, principles and rules to put sustainable development at the core? Building sustainable capacities for social protection at the national and regional levels: lessons learned and obstacles encountered.
Friday 2 February 2018, 1.15-2.30, Conference Room D, UN Headquarters. Read more
Rights Based Social Protection; From Rhetoric to Action
The side- event aims to highlight the benefits of a rights-based approach in social protection as a sure way to eradicate poverty and achieve the Sustainable Development Goal’s (SDG’s). Therefore, speakers from The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia and Peru will inform the audience about Rights-Based Social Protection, the Policy and Legal Framework Developments and Implementation, how to achieve the SDGs through Rights-Based Social Protection and how to monitor Rights-Based Social Protection.
Monday 5 February 2018, 11.45 - 1 pm, Conference Room D, UN Headquarters. Read more
Poverty Eradication: from policy to local action
Despite the numerous poverty eradication policies and strategies, about half of the population of the world still lives in poverty. They live in homes with inadequate water, poor sanitation facilities and no electricity. They lack access to good schools, health care, modern transport facilities, and employment opportunities. Many are malnourished as they cannot afford adequate nutrition. We are taking action to fight poverty. But are we taking the right action?
The side event will present an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange views on these and other relevant issues related to the contributions of targeted financing and public expenditure to poverty eradication.
In the context of sharing experiences and best global best practices, success stories and lessons learned from Asia, Africa and Latin America in the war on poverty will be brought into focus at the event.
Tuesday 6th February 2018 - Conference Room 7 - Time: 1:15 - 2:30 pm. Read more
Universal social protection is crucial to ending poverty and tackling inequalities to leave no one behind. It aims to provide income security and protect people against the risks they face in the different stages of their lives through social assistance, social insurance and labour market interventions.
Join us in an open forum to discuss the needs and opportunities in realizing universal social protection systems: How can “USP2030” address these needs and generate global momentum for countries to achieve SDG 1.3 (“implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage for the poor and the vulnerable”)?
Download here the flyer of the event and here the agenda.
31 JANUARY 2018 - 1:15 - 2:45 PM
Auditorium, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the UN
Universal social protection is crucial to ending poverty and tackling inequalities to leave no one behind. It aims to provide income security and protect people against the risks they face in the different stages of their lives through social assistance, social insurance and labour market interventions.
Join us in an open forum to discuss the needs and opportunities in realizing universal social protection systems: How can “USP2030” address these needs and generate global momentum for countries to achieve SDG 1.3 (“implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage for the poor and the vulnerable”)?
UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PROTECTON: TOWARDS A PARTNERSHIP FOR ALL
Event during the 56th Commission for Social Development – 31 January 2018
Universal social protection is crucial to ending poverty and tackling inequalities so that we leave no one behind. It aims to provide income security and support for all people to protect them against all of the different risks they face over the course of their lives. Countries can progressively reach universal social protection through social insurance and social assistance as well as labour market interventions aiming at decent work that complement each other.
Social protection is a human right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Universal social protection is receiving greater attention, particularly due to the experiences of countries in implementing universal approaches and the 2030 Agenda’s goal 1.3 to “implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.” International statements not only by the United Nations but also the African Union, ASEAN, the European Commission and the G20 have endorsed universal social protection. In 2016, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Bank invited stakeholders in the international social protection agenda to join the Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection. This initiative has been supported by many key partners including the African Union, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the European Commission, HelpAge International, IADB, OECD, Save the Children, UNDPUIPC, UNICEF and others, along with Belgian, Finnish, French and German development cooperation.
In order to jointly define a vision of “USP 2030” among countries and development partners, building on the years of experience of champions of the South, all countries are invited to participate in shaping the future of this global movement towards Universal Social Protection beyond the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 1.3. Rather than a means, universal social protection can be approached as a goal, whose achievement can enable everyone to reach their full potential.
The 56th Commission for Social Development provides a timely occasion to start the conversation and involve country representatives from relevant sectors. This side event, organized by Germany and co-sponsored by Finland, ILO and the World Bank together with the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors, aims to provide an open forum for discussion among countries and development partners. Participants will discuss countries’ needs and opportunities in realizing universal social protection systems progressively and will be able to voice their ideas on how “USP2030” can address these needs and generate global momentum for countries to move towards Social Protection for All.
The Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) will held a side-event entitled "Social Protection Floors as key tools for eradicating poverty: best practices and strategies for the future" uring the 56th edition of the Commission on Social Development (CSocD). The side-event will take place on Friday 2, 2018, from 4:45pm to 6:00pm, in Conference Room D at the United Nations Headquarters.
Download here the flyer of the event and here the concept note.
SOCIAL PROTECTION FLOORS AS KEY TOOLS FOR ERADICATING POVERTY: BEST PRACTICES AND STRATEGIES FOR THE FUTURE
Conference Room D, UNHQ (NYC)
February 2, 2018, 4:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Social protection is a right. A coherent, rights-based approach to social policy will ensure people’s access to basic services and social guarantees. A lack of basic social protection is one of the main reasons why people have been left behind and live in extreme poverty. Today, less than 30 percent of the global population has access to comprehensive coverage, leaving1.6 billion people living in extreme (multidimensional) poverty, unprotected from various set-backs and shocks throughout their lives.
Speakers:
Moderator: Peter Bakvis, Director, International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC/Global Unions, Washington Office
What are the tools and strategies needed to make the human right to social security a reality for all?
Officially recognized in Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development under the SDG 1 Target 1.3: "Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable," human rights-based social protection systems, including floors, is a key strategy to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality, and combat social exclusion.
Social Protection Floors (SPFs) are nationally defined basic levels of income security in the form of various social transfers as well as universal, affordable access to essential services such as health care. When well- designed and adapted to the needs of the people who are furthest behind, social protection floors can help break the vicious cycle of intergenerational poverty.
This side-event brings perspectives from a variety of development stakeholders, including grassroots organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, trade unions, Member States, and international organizations. They will discuss the need to extend social protection coverage to all people — including those left furthest behind — through a rights-based approach that integrates existing international standards with strategies to be developed in the future.
Objectives of the side-event
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The meeting of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors was held in Nairobi, Kenya last January. The meeting of the core group of the Coalition "Opportunities and challenges in implementing Social Protection Floors", highlighted opportunities and challenges existing in the area of implementing social protection floors and charted the way forward for the activities of the Coalition.
The core team of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors met in Nairobi, Kenya, from 15 to 17 January 2018 to discuss pressing issues on its agenda and to chart a way for future activities. Formed in June 2012 by NGOs and other organizations of civil society such as trade unions, now the Global Coalition brings together more than 100 members interested in achieving the universal provision of economic and social security through basic guarantees on income and essential social services throughout the life course. Promoting Recommendation 202 of the ILO is one of its main objectives. The Coalition operates within a worldwide network structure, but has not established a formal headquarters. The core team, which performs coordinating functions, brings together representatives of the Coalition members who are capable and willing to plan and strategize for upcoming policy and research activities of the Coalition, review all draft documentation produced by the Coalition, and perform other duties.
Embracing the principles of inclusivity, solidarity, non-discrimination, gender equality, openness and transparency, the Coalition is fostering a supportive team environment so as to achieve the shared objectives. The vision of the Coalition has been identified as “promoting the implementation of social protection floors and the extension of social protection to all”. Its mission—working strategically and in a spirit of global solidarity to provide a space and virtual platform for coalition members united by the common purpose of promoting the extension of social protection floors and systems.
The meeting in Nairobi was organized in close cooperation with the African Platform for Social Protection—an important regional umbrella organization of civil society devoted to promoting social protection in African countries. The meeting was addressed by Ms. Susan Mochache, Principal Secretary, State Department of Social Protection of Kenya, who informed the participants about the recent initiatives of the Kenyan Government in the area of social protection, outlining both opportunities and challenges. The field trip organized by the hosts enabled the participants of the meeting to visit local sites and listen to people who are benefiting from various social protection schemes in Kenya.
Among the key issued discussed by the Coalition core team in Nairobi were how to provide support to Coalition members in terms of information sharing and the coordination of regional activities, the preparation of “shadow” reports in the context of the monitoring and evaluation of international commitments, advocacy for and promotion of resolutions dedicated to social protection systems, including floors, within the remit of United Nations organs, such as the Commission for Social Development and the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly. The issue of social protection financing and new approaches in that area were also discussed at length.
The core team also reviewed and adopted the revised draft of the terms of reference for the Global Coalition, which delineate the background, guiding principles, main goals and specifics on the internal functioning of the Coalition. The recent update of the Social Protection Floor Index—one of the earlier documents prepared under the auspices of the Global Coalition—was highly commended. The core team also decided to update the existing Civil Society Guide and spare no efforts in promoting its use within the Coalition and beyond.
Source: Global Cooperation Newsletter, January 2018. International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW).
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The programme Improving Synergies Between Social Protection and Public Finance Management provides medium-term support to multiple countries aiming to strengthen their social protection systems at a national level and ensure sustainable financing. The programme aims to support countries in their efforts towards achieving universal social protection coverage.
