Discussion Paper "Sustainably Financing Social Protection Floors"

Discussion paper "Sustainably Financing Social Protection Floors" Toward a Permanent Role in National Development Planning and Taxation by Barry Herman, the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors and Brot für die Welt, April 2018.

Executive Summary

Social protection systems must be fiscally sustainable so they will provide all residents with adequate social protection in all the challenging situations over the life cycle that pose a risk to livelihood security now and in the future. This is often not the case.

There are two categories of financing of social protection, “contributory” programmes and “non-contributory” schemes. In many countries, contributory pensions, employer paid insurance for workers injured on the job and other social insurance provide social protection to some of the population, albeit usually not for people living in poverty, who are not in a position to pay the mandatory contributions or who do not work in the formal enterprise sector. It is thus also necessary to allocate government
expenditures to social protection systems that cover all people. In particular, tax-based financing is
needed to pay for “social protection floors” (SPFs), which are the parts of social protection that seek to provide at least a basic level of protection for all residents against each of the main contingencies along the life cycle, as defined in the 2012 Social Protection Floors Recommendation 202 of the International Labour Organization.

To help address that challenge, the present paper focuses on how countries may assure the sustainable
financing of social protection floors. It argues that countries need to build strong national tax systems, increase the efficiency in tax collection and administration, and end tax evasion and fraud. In some cases, budget expenditures can be reallocated from less appropriate uses to social protection, as in decisions to allocate savings from reduced fuel subsidies. In quite a number of countries, it will be necessary to raise taxes or other fiscal revenues, including on personal and corporate income, as well as
on property and wealth. Striving for universal social protection, some countries have improved the fiscal resources they capture from extractive industries. Other countries have looked to innovative sources of development finance, such as a financial transaction tax (FTT).

Even when sustainable over the long run, social protection outlays are often threatened during crisis periods when their need is greatest and tax collections plummet. One source of the problem in the case of many developing countries is dependence on volatile sources of tax revenue, as when taxes on a limited number of commodity exports form a large portion of their revenues. The paper thus notes disciplined efforts of some countries to build up reserves during boom times to draw down during times of economic bust. Another approach seeks to redefine the risk-sharing between governments and their creditors.
The paper argues for proposals to design loans and bonds that automatically postpone or cancel debt servicing during periods of economic stress or natural catastrophe, called “state-contingent debt”. These proposals have many supporters but need to be put into practice.

Even if at first sight social protection seems to be a purely domestic public responsibility, there is also an international responsibility to support developing countries in this regard. Indeed ‒ the global community of nations pledged in its 2015 Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development to give “strong international support” to help countries “meet the needs of all communities through delivering high-quality [social] services that make effective use of resources” and to “explore coherent funding modalities to mobilize additional resources, building on country-led experiences.”

In this spirit, the paper calls for increased donor government and international organization grants and subsidized loans (that is, “official development assistance”) to help countries develop their social protection systems. International public funds can contribute to the effort of countries to design, implement and finance national floors of social protection, to which end proposals have been made to create a special international fund for advancing social protection.

A related form of international cooperation is to help individual countries to capture more of their own taxes that escape their fiscal systems. Internationally coordinated efforts can effectively reduce tax evasion. Technical assistance is also beneficial to help countries design systems that do not allow opportunities for legal, if unethical, tax avoidance schemes. Additional international cooperation is needed to prevent countries from offering competing tax incentives to foreign investors that erode the national tax base and constitute a fiscal “race to the bottom”.

A third form of cooperation aims to assist developing countries during crisis periods when their social protection needs will be most intense. Thus, in response to the increasing number of environmental and humanitarian emergencies, developing countries and international institutions have established a number of quick-disbursing loan and insurance facilities. Furthermore, when universal social protection systems that disburse cash transfers are already in place, they can provide a ready channel for disbursing emergency funds to individual beneficiaries.

The paper concludes by emphasizing that sustainably financing social protection floors needs to be an
essential part of explicit national sustainable development strategies. Governments can draw upon a new generation of development planning tools and approaches in order to simultaneously address social, environmental and economic dimensions of development over a number of years. They may also consider the desired scope of government expenditures and the interaction of the policies, programmes and required taxation to address national development goals, not least regarding the complementarity of contributory and non-contributory national social protection programmes.

There can be no doubt that social protection is a key instrument to help end poverty and to give people access to opportunities for a self-determined life in dignity. National social protection systems can also contribute to achieve related sustainable development goals, like food security, good health, decent work, gender equality, reduced inequality and cohesive communities. Nevertheless, mobilizing adequate public resources to cover the cost of social protection floors is always contested and a challenging terrain for advocacy. And yet, the challenge can be met because the requisite techniques and mechanisms
of public finance are known to exist.

By Nicola Wiebe

Experts call upon Financing for Development Forum to focus attention on financing social protection. See here the webcast of this side event at the UN Headquarter from 23.4.2018.

There can be no doubt: social protection has been recognized as a key instrument to end poverty and to give people access to opportunities for a self-determined life. The international commitment is explicit and ambitious: “Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.” (SDG 1, Target 1.3)

However, the gap between the commitment and the current situation is extremely wide. The ILO World Social Protection Report 2017-2019 shows that only 29% of the world’s population is covered by adequate social protection.

A commonly cited problem for extending and improving social protection systems remains to create and protect fiscal space.

This side event to the Financing for Development Forum 2018  takes stock of the latest developments in financing Universal Social Protection, including Floors, and discusses the following questions:

Representatives from Governments, the ILO and the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors share their experiences, insights and proposals.

Speakers include:

Moderator: Peter Bakvis, International Trade Union Confederation

This side event is co-organised by the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors, International Labour Organization (ILO), Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Permanent Mission of Norway to the United Nations, NGO Committee on Financing for Develpment and actalliance.

Further information:

Webcast "Financing Universal Social Protection"

Flyer of the event.

Interventions are also available here.

The Dullah Omar Institute, University of the Western Cape, Initiatives for Socio- economic Rights and the Global Coalition for Social protection Floors in conjunction with the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights cordially invite you to a panel discussion on Social Protection as a Human Rights Imperative in Africa during the 62nd Ordinary Session of the African Commission in Nouakchott, Mauritania

Panellists

Moderator/Opening Remarks on Relevance of Social Security/ Protection as a Human Rights Imperative in Africa- Commissioner Jasmine King- Chairperson Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The Draft Protocol to the African Charter on Social Security and Protection: What Lessons for Uganda-Allana Kembabazi, Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER)

ILO Recommendation 202 on Social Protection Floors- Olufunmilola Adeniyi, Dullah Omar Institute, University of the Western Cape/Global Coalition for Social protection Floors

Date: 30 April 2018 Venue: Main Hall Time: 10:40 am

Download here the flyer of the event.

Concept Note

The right to social protection or security is well recognised in international and regional human rights instruments including the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.  The right to social security is articulated in Article 9 of the ICESCR.[1] The Committee responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Covenant has clarified the nature of states’ obligations in this regard in its General Comment 19 on the right to social security. In that General Comment, the Committee notes that the right to social security implies two predominant categories of measures: social insurance schemes, where beneficiaries are requested to contribute financially; and social assistance schemes, non-contributory and typically taxation- funded measures which are designed to transfer resources to groups deemed eligible due to vulnerability or deprivation.[2]. According to the Committee, states must strive towards progressively realising the right to social security of every individual within their territories. The Committee has further noted that the realisation of the right to social security requires states to take measures to establish social protection systems under domestic law, ensure their sustainability, ensure that benefits are adequate in amount and duration, and ensure that the level of benefits and the form in which they are provided are in compliance with the principles of human dignity and non-discrimination.[3]

States are also expected to ensure that social protection is equally available to all individuals, and in this respect direct their attention to ensuring universal coverage, reasonable, proportionate and transparent eligibility criteria; affordability and physical accessibility by beneficiaries; and participation in and information about the provision of benefits.[4] In formulating the minimum core content of the right to social security, the Committee notes that states have the immediate obligation ‘to ensure access to a social security scheme that provides a minimum essential level of benefits to all individuals and families that will enable them to acquire at least essential health care, basic shelter and housing, water and sanitation, foodstuffs, and the most basic forms of education.[5]

Under the African Charter, the right to social security is not explicitly provided. However, a combination of rights such as health, education, protection of the aged and persons with disability guaranteed in articles 116-18 can be invoked to secure this right. Recently, the African Union mandated the African Commission to draft a Protocol to the African Charter on Social Security and Protection. This is a significant step forward, which will strengthen measures aimed at realising the right to social protection in the region.

In addition, to these binding human rights instruments there have been other developments at the international and regional levels relating to the realisation of the right to social protection. For instance, since 2009, the United Nations has given serious attention to addressing inequality and poverty through the launching of the inter-agency group on Social protection Floors Initiative with a view to addressing the global economic meltdown of 2009. In 2012, the International labour Organisation Assembly adopted Recommendation 202 on Social Protection Floors. This significant document enjoins states to ensure the adoption of social protection floors which should at least guarantee access to essential health care including maternal health care, basic income for children, active unemployed persons and older persons.

More recently, the international community has given impetus to the realisation of the right to social protection through the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, whose main aim is to combat poverty by 2030.[6] One of the targets of goal 1 is to ‘implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures to all, including floors and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.

At the regional level, the African Union Agenda 2063 aims at ensuring an economically endowed Africa based on inclusive goal and development. It further calls for ‘A high standard of living, quality of life and well-being for all citizens’ and envisages social security and social protection as a priority area.

The adoption of well-coordinated social protection programmes will go a long way in addressing poverty and inequality within a country as well as advance the realisation of socio-economic rights of vulnerable and marginalised groups. For instance, social protection can help in addressing food insecurity, thereby advancing the right to adequate food. Also, social protection programmes can help in realising the right to education of vulnerable and marginalised children. This is evident in cash transfer and school feeding programmes.

Experience has shown that social protection programmes can facilitate access to health care services in general and maternal health care in particular. More importantly, social protection programmes have been found to mitigate the impact of unemployment and poverty through cash transfers and other unemployment benefits. These beneficial impacts of social protection systems in advancing socio-economic rights of vulnerable and marginalised groups, testifies to the fact that there is a strong and symbiotic relationship between human rights and social protection. Sepulveda and Nyst have noted that ‘People living in poverty experience discrimination not only on grounds such as birth, property, national or social origin, ethnic origin, colour, gender and religion, but also because they are poor. From a human rights perspective, States are under a clear obligation to ensure that all individuals are able to enjoy access to a minimum essential level of economic, social and cultural rights, including an adequate standard of living, equally and without discrimination.[7]

Despite these benefits of social protection system, many African countries only pay lip service to ensuring the right to social protection for their citizens. In some situations, social protection programmes are implemented as a form of charity rather than a human rights imperative. This has robbed many Africans of their right to social security and avenues to escape poverty. Thus, the proposed Protocol to the African Charter on the Right to Social Security and Protection in Africa is a welcome development as it will further strengthen a rights-based approach to social protection in the region.

Against this backdrop, the Dullah Omar Institute, University of the Western Cape, South Africa, Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER) and the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors in conjunction with the Chairperson of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights propose a side event on Social protection as a Human Rights Imperative in Africa, to be held during the 62nd ordinary session of the African Commission. This side event aims at achieving the following:

Proposed Programme

ILO Recommendation 202 on Social Protection Floors- Dullah Omar Institute, University of the Western Cape/Global Coalition for Social protection Floors

The Report of the event is available here.

Notes:

[1] The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) is a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 16 December 1966,

[2] CeSCR, General Comment No. 19, para 4.

[3] Ibid para 22

[4] Ibid paras 23-27

[5] Ibid para 59.

[6] The Social Development Goals adopted by the United NATIONS IN September 2015

[7] M Sepulveda and C Nyst The Human Rights Approach to Social Protection (2012) 21.

Panel session at Civil Society Policy Forum of World Bank/IMF Spring meetings 2018

Financing Universal Social Protection to promote Inclusive Development and Reduce Inequality

Organizing partners:

Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together)
NGO Committee on Financing for Development (NGOsonFfD) International Labour Organization (ILO)

Speakers

Isabel Ortiz, Director of Social Protection, ILO. See presentation here.
Stephen Kidd, Senior Social Protection Specialist, Development Pathways. See presentation here.
Carolina Dantas, Social Protection Officer, Trade Union Confederation of the Americas See presentation here.
David Coady, Chief of the Expenditure Policy Division at the Fiscal Affairs Department, IMF
Anush Bezhanyan, Practice Manager, Social Protection and Labour, World Bank Group

Moderator

Peter Bakvis, Director ITUC/Global Unions – Washington Office, International Trade Union Confederation

Notes from IMF and World Bank responses

IMF

Thanking the presenters for extensive and interesting input on the subject. In agreement with 90 % of it.
Would like to make a plea: “No Ministry of Finance should be allowed to say that they should increase tax without also saying what they will spend it on, and vice versa: no other Ministry should be able to increase social spending without showing how it will be financed – fiscal sustainability.”
Social protection is more than poverty reduction – it is both social assistance and social insurance.

The discussion should not concern errors of inclusion – that the rich are getting part of social benefits – but should instead focus on how to include the poor.
We need to broaden the discussion beyond spending: How is it going to be financed? IMF needs to see this for each country. When a country is in a fiscally problematic situation there are reasons for IMF concern. However, the response must be a medium-term strategy which takes into concern the need for social protection.
IMF Fiscal Monitor: Tackling Inequality, October 2017 discusses how fiscal policies can help achieve redistributive objectives. It focuses on three salient policy debates: tax rates at the top of the income distribution, the introduction of a universal basic income, and the role of public spending on education and health.
IMF participated in SPIAC-B and in the State of Social Safety Nets 2018 report

World Bank

Thanking the presenters and noting that there are more points in agreement than disagreement with the World Bank’s view on social protection. Invites the panelists and civil society to continue the conversation.
World Bank engages in partnerships and international agreements for social protection, for example the partnership with ILO on Universal Social Protection.
ILO World Social Protection Report 2017-2019 and World Bank The State of Social Safety Nets 2018 reports different numbers in social protection coverage.
We need to be mindful that many countries have limited capacities in delivering social protection with broad coverage. There are challenges for example in lack of registries and ID cards.
On the criticism of the World Bank’s support to building social registries: Registries should be mechanisms for inclusion rather than exclusion.

Q&A

Q: How can financing of Social Protection Floors be linked to pollution taxes, sin taxes etc? (CSO)
A: Sufficient taxation proponents, it should be fiscally neutral. There are opportunities to develop a package that is getting broad support (?) (IMF)
Q: Political economy: Do you focus on countries where it can be a constituency for social protection and do you give up in other countries? How do you go about promoting universal social protection? (CSO)
A: In a democratic context it is about enabling citizens to make these decisions in elections. Social protection grew through elections. The need to break down for decision makers the idea of deserving and undeserving of the poor. It is not wrong for the middle class and the rich to get access to the same social protection systems as the poor. (Development Pathways)

Graduation in social protection: graduation programmes do not work – not in the long term. Child grants and pensions eliminate the risk and fear of falling back into poverty.
A: IMF’s role is to create fiscal space that enables governments to do whatever they want to do in the social sphere. Governments have ownership but are affected by conditionalities. (IMF)
A: See expenditure from other sectors, but not at the expense of health or education. Expand the pie. (ILO)
Q: Explain the logic around promoting UBI (universal basic income) and at the same time promoting targeting in social protection. (CSO)
A: It depends on if your fiscal system supports it. (IMF)
A: The World Bank will also ask: How are you going to implement the social protections systems, do the countries have the right capacity for universal social protection? (World Bank)

Download the notes here (pdf version).

Further information is available here and here.

Side event to the 2018 ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development

This event will take stock of the latest development in financing Universal Social Protection, including Floors, and discuss the responses to the following questions:

What is the current situation of social protection financing worldwide? How can governments ensure adequate national fiscal resources to sustainably finance universal social protection (SDG 1.3)? How can social protection spending be protected in times of economic crisis?  How might the United Nations Financing for Development Forum encourage initiatives to institute, foster, deepen and protect financing for universal social protection around the world?

The side event will take place on Monday, 23.04.2018 - 8 - 9:30 am, Conference Room 7 UNHQ

The webcast of the event is available here.

Speakers include:

Co-organized by the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF), International Labour Organization (ILO), Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Permanent Mission of Norway to the United Nations, NGO Committee on Financing for Develpment and actalliance.

Download here the flyer of the event.

The African Platform for Social Protection (APSP) has become an important player in the quest for better living conditions on the continent, with growing recognition and policy impact. Co-organiser of the January meeting of the core group of Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors held in Nairobi, Kenya (see ICSW January 2018 newsletter), the APSP is committed to promoting and strengthening the social contract between states and citizens to deliver social protection for all. Founded in 2008 in the wake of the adoption of the African Union’s ‘Social Policy Framework for Africa’, the Platform’s vision is that of an African continent free from poverty and vulnerability.

The APSP’s approach is to further national social protection policies and programmes across Africa by promoting active civil society engagement and partnerships in their design and delivery. With its regional base in Nairobi Kenya, it works with a network of 27 national platforms of civil society organisations across Africa, and has a board drawn from all five regions of the African Union. Each platform is dedicated to enhancing and extending civil society participation in their national social protection programmes so as to ensure that they are effective and reach the poorest of all walks of life. Platforms encourage the involvement of those civil society organisations that represent some of the most marginalised in society – older people, people with disabilities, vulnerable girls and women, slum dwellers and those in remote communities, among others.

All platforms share a broad definition of social protection as ‘a set of policies and programmes designed and implemented by the state and other stakeholders to reduce poverty and vulnerability by cushioning people’s exposure to risk, and enhancing their capacity to protect themselves against shocks and the interruption or loss of income and promote their ability to come out of poverty”. Social protection is also defined by the right to social security, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (articles 22 and 25), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (article 9) and reaffirmed in a range of other instruments, including the 2009 African Union Social Policy Framework and the Agenda 2030 Goal 1, target 1.3. National platforms, therefore, promote awareness of these rights and frameworks.

At the heart of each platforms’ work is an integrated programme which encompasses the following: advocacy for national efforts to put in place and extend social protection programmes; gathering and sharing evidence of what is working and what could be done better; engaging in national and at times regional dialogues on evidence, programming and financing; and monitoring of existing programmes.

Modalities of work of the National Platforms

Even though policy frameworks for social protection exist, with some progress in national implementation across Africa, full commitment to and ownership of social protection systems that are coordinated, universal in nature and properly financed has yet to be achieved. In the countries with the most progress it has been found that solid, transparent systems for the design and delivery of social protection are essential pillars for their financing, extension and sustainability. If corruption and clientelism is suspected in their management and execution the political support necessary for their extension is eroded. At the same time, government commitment to social protection is enhanced by demand from citizens who are aware of their rights and are prepared to engage with their ideas on social protection design and roll out.

The APSP - regionally and through its national platforms – sets great store on the ‘social contract’ between government and citizens. Citizen engagement in programme design, the monitoring of delivery, and grievance and redress mechanisms have been proven to be essential elements to ensure governmental and constitutional support for such programmes and to ensure that the modalities are in place for transparent and accountable schemes.

Discussing new approaches to social protection in Africa, meeting in Nairobi.

During the Nairobi meeting in January 2018 participants had the opportunity to learn about the APSP vision and its advances. Work at the national level was described in the reports from Ghana, Zambia, Gambia, Mozambique, Uganda and the DRC amongst others. Platform representatives explained that, while the work programme of each national platform varies according to context, there are common features. These are to encourage social protection awareness amongst citizens, to foster coordination between different and sometimes competing schemes and bring to light what is working well and not so well, and to further social accountability through citizen monitoring and social protection ‘audits’. Important to all national platforms are efforts to engage citizens in the call for greater coverage of existing schemes and to work with government to promote income support across the lifecycle and for access to health for all.

Engagement in policy formulation and programme design on the basis of evidence from the grassroots has led to notable progress. In Ghana, for example, the work of the Platform has contributed hugely to the national strategy on social protection. Ghana’s 2016 policy and the National Social Protection Act now encompasses four interlinked programmes of essential health care for all and a minimum income package for children, those of working age and for older persons. The national platform of Zambia is focussing on ensuring that minimum income is protected and delivered through the lifecycle, as well as strengthening and enhancing of existing income and health systems through improved coordination between schemes and providers, and investment in extended coverage.

Meeting with recipients of social protection schemes in Kenya.

Another common feature identified by the regional and national platforms that inhibits progress on social protection is the gap (or disconnect) – real or perceived - between researchers, policy makers, implementers and the recipients of the service or benefit. Dialogue is important to bridge this gap. The results of social protection ‘accountability audits’, one of the activities of the APSP - which examine quality of services and identify gaps in provision as well as what is working well - provide essential material for regular discussion with key social protection stakeholders in government, academia and civil society.

Participants in the field trips in Nairobi organised by the Kenya Platform saw for themselves how its civil society partners work with the grassroots to gather evidence on the impact on social protection schemes. Working within the community the Kenya Platform assesses the impact and monitors the delivery of existing cash benefits ($20.00 every 2 months) to older persons aged 70 and over, persons with severe disabilities and households with orphans. The Platform identifies glitches in registration that can lead to individuals being struck out of the scheme, and corrects mistakes. Participants heard how regular income coming into the hands of older women not only supported the care of their grandchildren and better nutrition for the family but has also resulted in flourishing local businesses run by women in their 70’s and 80’s. Regular cash received by a severely disabled young man has enabled him to support his own father to access proper medical care and to finance his own IT consultancy.

Recipients of the cash transfer scheme in Kenya, with Samuel Obara of the Africa Platform of Social Protection (standing middle) January 2017

Regular dialogue based on social protection auditing improves evidence-based policy, leading to realistic and long-term financing and improved services. ln the case of Kenya, grassroots engagement in such auditing has revealed that the delivery of a benefit through a mobile phone - at one stage the preferred system - could not be guaranteed to reach the recipient. The result is that the system has now been changed for the benefit to be delivered to recipients at fixed delivery points that should not be more than 6 kilometres from the residency of the recipient. Registration glitches through computer errors are being identified locally and corrected through the support of the Platform and its partners. Further auditing is revealing the difficulties in road access to the delivery points owing to poor public transport, and the cost of taxis for some recipients, which can amount to half the benefit of $20.00. Discussions on how to solve this problem are ongoing. Ms. Susan Mochache, Principal Secretary, State Department of Social Protection of Kenya, who met the participants of the global coalition during the meeting described the importance of this work for the ongoing development of Kenya’s social protection programme, referring to the work of the Platform in Kenya as ‘the voice’ for the Ministry.

There is much to do and a road to travel before social protection is fully operational across Africa. With its core values of transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and participation, innovation and integrity the Africa Platform for Social Protection is well placed to be at the forefront of this challenge. Its unique and integrated programme combining advocacy, programme implementation, the bridging of gaps and creating awareness and knowledge on Social Protection is strategic and grounded in national and regional understanding so as to ensure that no one is left behind.

Membership in and input to global bodies such as the Global Coalition of Social Protection Floors and the ICSW will enhance mutual capacity and understanding to bring about a real and lasting difference for millions of people, now and in the future.

For further information: http://www.africapsp.org/
Dr Tavengwa Nhongo, Director Africa Platform for Social Protection (tavenhongo at gmail.com)

By Sylvia Beales Gelber (sylvia.bealesgelber at gmail.com)

Source: Global Cooperation Newsletter – March 2018, International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW)

Panel session at Civil Society Policy Forum World Bank/IMF Spring meetings 2018
Financing Universal Social Protection to promote inclusive development and reduce inquality

This event wishes to offer insights into how international financial institutions and other global initiatives can support universal social protection systems and floors (SDG 1.3):

What type of social protection policies and systems could countries adopt in order to fast-track universal coverage, sustainably reduce economic inequality and ensure inclusive development in a long-term perspective?

How have IMF and World Bank policies impacted the development of social protection systems in Latin America?

How can governments ensure adequate national fiscal resources to sustainably deliver appropriate social protection systems, including floors?

How might the International Financial Institutions support universal social protection coverage, establishing and deepening Social Protection Floors around the world? How will the World Bank and IMF support SDG 1.3 and universal social protection?

The side event will be held next 18 April 2018, 4:00 – 5:30 pm, IMF HQ2, 03B-838B.

Speakers include:

Isabel Ortiz is Director of Social Protection at the International Labour Organization (ILO). Earlier she was the Director of the Global Social Justice Program at Joseph Stiglitz’s Initiative for Policy Dialogue, Columbia University, Associate Director of Policy at UNICEF, and senior official at the United Nations DESA and at the Asian Development Bank. She has worked in more than 50 countries, providing advisory services to governments and development institutions. Isabel Ortiz has a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics, and has written more than 50 publications translated in several languages.

Stephen Kidd is a Senior Social Protection Specialist at Development Pathways with more than 30 years experience of engaging on social development and social protection across Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific. He was previously Director of Policy at HelpAge International, led DFID’s Social Protection Team. Stephen earned a Ph.D from the University of St. Andrews and spent two years as a lecturer in Social Anthropology at the University of Edinburgh.

Carolina Dantas works as Social Protection Officer for the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) since 2014. She is a social scientist, graduated in Sociology, Political Science and Anthropology by the University of São Paulo (USP - Brazil). She is specialist in social protection programs in Latin American and Caribbean countries.

David Coady is Division Chief of the Expenditure Policy Division at the Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD) of the IMF. Prior to that, he was Lead Social Spending Expert in FAD, Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute, and a lecturer in the Departments of Economics at University College London and Queen Mary College London. He earned his Ph.D. in economics from the London School of Economics. He has worked extensively on policy issues related to the efficiency and distributional implications of public policies including indirect taxes, public sector pricing, social spending, and the evaluation of safety net programs.

Anush Bezhanyan is Practice Manager for Strategy, Operations, Knowledge, Learning and Partnerships in Social Protection and Jobs Global Practice at the World Bank Group. The unit she is heading covers broad spectrum of social protection and labor issues, including social assistance, social safety nets, pensions and social insurance issues. Prior to this position she was a Lead Social Protection Specialist and Cluster Leader for 15 countries in South and East Africa. She holds a Master's degree in Economics and Project Management from the State Technical University in Yerevan. Moderator: Peter Bakvis, Director ITUC/Global Unions – Washington Office, International Trade Union Confederation.

Moderator: Peter Bakvis, Director ITUC/Global Unions – Washington Office, International Trade Union Confederation

Download here the flyer of the event.

Civil Society Call for a Global Fund for Social Protection

Over 200 civil society organizations and trade unions unite to call for a Global Fund for Social Protection to protect the most vulnerable during COVID-19 and beyond.

Read the Call

SP&PFM Programme

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.

This initiative is implemented jointly by the ILO, Unicef, and the GCSPF.

Read more

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