Newsletter e-GCSPF # 54 - June 2021

This Civil Society Training Manual on Public Financial Management for Social Protection by Gemma Adaba and Barry Herman explores the basic concepts, processes and tools that underpin public finance management and it demonstrates the relevance for the strengthening of social protection systems, and for the progressive universalizing of social protection regimes.
This manual is part of the Programme “Improving synergies between Social Protection and Public Finance Management" Read more

To provide a platform for an engaging conversation between African Governments, civil society organizations, and people affected by COVID-19 on how to address critical social protection gaps exposed by the pandemic and progress towards inclusive and rights-based social protection, the African Union, the Africa Social Protection Platform, HelpAge International, WIEGO, Save the Children, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) – Zambia, and the ILO Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa organised a virtual dialogue made up of three connected webinars. The conversation revolves around the VOICES of affected populations, the ACTIONS of Governments to expand social protection during COVID-19, and Africa’s VISIONS for social protection as part of an inclusive recovery. Read more

Webinars:

1. VOICES of Africans affected by the COVID-19 crisis: Experiences on the impacts of COVID-19 on the incomes, livelihoods and wellbeing - 1 June
2. ACTIONS of African governments to expand social protection during COVID-19 - 8 June
3. Africa’s VISION to expand social protection and build forward better from COVID-19 - 15 June

The COVID-19 Pandemic and its impact on economic, social and cultural rights - Opportunities and avenues out of the crisis, summarises, by theme, a total of 32 thought-provoking articles by 45 authors, advocates, practitioners, policy makers and academics, mostly women from the Global South, that were published in 2020 through GI-ESCR’s blog series assessing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the enjoyment of ESC rights.
This publication is part of the ‘Pushing the frontiers of economic, social and cultural rights’ series, which aims to foster collective reflection among activists, practitioners, organisations and communities on how we can, together, further develop the human rights framework as an axis and tool for transformative change to tackle imbalances of power, social and economic injustices, and environmental destruction. Read more

HelpAge and WIEGO partnered to develop a study on 'Older Informal Workers in the COVID-19 Crisis'. The study analyses the impact of COVID-19 on the income and work patterns of older informal workers, and their access to relief measures.

When COVID-19 hit, older informal workers saw their earnings collapse and a much slower return to their pre-COVID-19 livelihoods than younger people.

The study took place with informal workers aged 60 and older in cities in Bulgaria (Pleven), Ghana (Accra), India (Ahmedabad, Delhi and Tiruppur), Mexico (Mexico City), Peru (Lima), Senegal (Dakar), South Africa (Durban), Tanzania (Dar es Salaam), Thailand (Bangkok) and USA (New York). Read more

The publication by Francine Mestrum was presented at the Asia Europe People's Forum for a Just, Peaceful, and Sustainable World (AEPF 13) Read more

To date, little is empirically known about the impact of COVID-19 on the health of informal workers globally. The publication by Christy Braham, Ana Carolina Ogando (WIEGO) shows the key findings and policy recommendations pertaining to informal workers' health risks based on research undertaken as part of the COVID-19 Crisis and the Informal Economy study. Read more

Over the past decades, universal basic income (UBI) has repeatedly been put forward as a means to address increasing labour market precarity, jobless growth, and rising poverty and inequality. Most recently, proponents have argued that UBI could provide much-needed protection in the face of economic, environmental, and health crises, such as COVID-19.

The implications of UBI for gender equality have received insufficient attention in these debates—despite the fact that feminists have long discussed its pros and cons. Some feminists hold that an unconditional income independent of paid work would enhance women’s agency in families, households, the workplace and the community, with particular benefit for those facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. Others caution that, in a climate of fiscal tightening and austerity, UBI could be used to justify the rollback of state responsibility and funding for other essential support measures, including care services, housing, education and health care. Building on their contributions,

This policy brief by Loui Williams (UN Women) discusses the potential and limitations of UBI from a gender perspective and points to some of the specific design features that policymakers need to consider to make UBI work for women and transgender and gender-diverse people. Read more

On April 2021 the Civil Society 7 Summit released the “Civil society’s recommendations to the G7” that include the Global Fund for Social Protection under “Global sustainable economic recovery after the pandemic” and link back to the Global Coalicion Concept. Read more

The US Coalition of the GCSPF sent a letter and a briefing on “Expanding social protection: benefits for workers, businesses, and communities” to the US government to support the global fund at both the G7 and G20. Read more

The side event “Building Roofs and Raising Floors Through Inclusive Digital Technologies and a Global Fund for Social Protection” organised by the GCSPF and GCAP was chosen by UN DESA to post and promote on their platform.

High level speakers from Governments, United Nations, civil society and academia considered the value and urgency of the proposal for a Global Fund for Social Protection to deliver to all the right to social protection, in the context of the impact of Covid 19, diverse and interconnecting perspectives on social protection, homelessness and how digital technology can extend social protection floors to those who are living without roofs. You can watch the full event recording online here. Read more

For the first time in its history the International Labour Conference is taking place virtually, and it will be divided into two segments during the course of the year.
Items on the agenda in June include a special outcome document on the ILO response to COVID-19 , the discussion of the reports of the Chairperson of the Governing Body and the Director-General, the ILO’s programme and budget for 2022-23 , the recurrent discussion on social protection , and consideration of the reports on the application of labour standards during the pandemic and related country case discussions.
The second segment of the Conference will take place from 25 November to 11 December, with an agenda that includes thematic discussions on inequalities and the world of work, as well as skills and life-long learning. Read more

Report of the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Olivier De Schutter
A global fund for social protection should be set up to increase the level of support to low-income countries, thus helping them both to establish and maintain social protection floors in the form of legal entitlements, and to improve the resilience of social protection systems against shocks. Such a fund is affordable, whether funding comes from official development assistance or from other sources, including unused or new special drawing rights. Moreover, social protection should be seen as an investment with potentially high returns, since it leads to building human capital, has significant multiplier effects in the local economy, and contributes to inclusive growth and to resilience in times of crisis. International support, therefore, should be seen as launching a process that will allow recipient countries to gradually increase the levels of domestic resource mobilization: rather than creating a new form of dependency, it would ensure a predictable level of support to countries that are committed to establishing social protection floors and whose ability to finance social protection would improve in time. Read more

On March 2, 2021, USP2030 members and interested partners came together for the 2nd Membership Assembly. It took place at a critical moment allowing for a reflection on the unprecedented developments over the past year. The debates focused on two key issues for USP2030 and universal social protection – financing and delivery mechanisms – that have gained considerable traction during the crisis, and were also reflected in the discussions on the USP2030’s next steps. Read more

OP-ED - By Markus Kaltenborn and Letlhokwa George Mpedi

The proposal to set up a Global Fund for Social Protection could be the subject of this year’s discussions at the G20. South Africa is the only African country in the G20, so the South African government should seize the opportunity to support the establishment of a Global Fund that will enable the economically weaker countries of the continent to pursue ambitious goals concerning the social protection coverage of their population. Read more

On the 1 May, workers across the world will be celebrating the achievements of nearly 200 years of trade union activity and putting forward their demands for decent work and sustainable development.

A new report for the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) shows that there is a strong economic, as well as moral and public health, case for governments to introduce universal social protection.
“Investments in social protection and their impacts on economic growth” shows that there is a healthy return on investing in social protection.
By applying a robust assessment of the impact of investing the equivalent of just 1% of GDP in each of eight countries, the research shows that positive returns on the economy overall, stimulating growth; increased productivity and overall employment; increased tax revenues; more effective poverty alleviation; and reduced barriers to women entering or returning to work.

In addition, the report shows that increased investments in social protection can yield between 0.7 and 1.9 times their value in economic returns. This means that the economic benefits of social spending increases can partially or completely offset the costs. Read more

The COVID-19 pandemic can be understood as a triple crisis. The publication by WIEGO (Ana Carolina Ogando, Michael Rogan and Rachel Moussié) shows that at its origin it is a public health crisis and government responses to contain the virus through lockdowns, border closures and social distancing have led to an inevitable economic crisis. Along with closing creches and schools, these measures contributed to a care crisis.

Key findings: 1. Women informal workers who report an increase in their care responsibilities—including cooking, cleaning, child care and care for the ill and older persons—are working fewer days and earning less than other informal workers.
2. Men who report an increase in their care responsibilities work fewer days, but do not see a significant drop in earnings as compared to other men working in the informal economy.
3. Both women and men who report an increase in their care responsibilities have resorted to asset-depleting strategies that deepen intergenerational poverty. For women informal workers, this undermines their capabilities in the long term. Read more

Jordan Labor Watch (JLW) has recommended reviewing various strategies and programs aimed at strengthening the women role in the Kingdom’s economic life and the labor market, whether issued by the relevant government, or civil society institutions, targeting women protection in the labor market.
The JLW of the Phenix Center for Economics & Informatics Studies said in a position paper that women have paid a “greater” price in comparison to men in the labor market due to the Covid-19 pandemic as the unemployment rate among them increased by 6.1%, compared to 4.1% among men.
Unemployment rates among women reached 33.6% during the third quarter of 2020, compared to 21.2% among males, warning this situation would lead to their poverty more than men, and thus the spread of the phenomenon of “feminization of poverty,” per the study.
The paper showed that Jordan ranks 140 out of 142 countries on the global indicator of women’s economic participation, and the high unemployment rates for women in Jordan are associated with a very low economic engagement rate of 14.9%. Read more

The digitization of the world of work is fundamentally transforming how refugees can make a livelihood and obtain employment. A rapidly expanding global digital economy harbours countless new opportunities but it also poses a range of challenges and risks. A new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) now explores the growing role of digital economies for refugees, including case studies from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
Efforts to integrate refugees into the online gig economy should be accompanied by a wider effort to improve conditions within this new form of work, so as not to exacerbate their existing marginalisation and economic precarity. Due to major challenges and risks, low payment levels, and insecurity, the gig economy can only be viewed as one element in a wider range of options, as a complementary form of livelihood provision rather than a stand-alone solution. Read more

The Youth Mentoring Agents for Development Organisation (YOMADO) is a non- government, non-profit organization that works at the grass roots level. It is a volunteer membership organization for young people. It was established in Rwanda in 2014, following the participation of (Young) founding members in a World Vision Rwanda Leadership and Governance program as beneficiaries. YOMADO was legally recognized by the Rwandan Government in 2015.

YOMADO is a youth development Organisation in Rwanda that provides services and leadership to meet the emerging needs of young people and their families in our community.

YOMADO provides an array of academic, social, and emotional development services that respond to the unmet needs of the young people we serve. Those services include academic assistance, life skills education, social skill development, recreational and athletic activities, cultural and artistic activities, parental support, crisis intervention, mentoring, case management, and individual, group, and family counseling.

Contact information: Emmanuel Nshimiyimana (emmyfanfare@yahoo.com)
https://yomado.org/ / Facebook: yomado

The video of the virtual event “International Solidarity to Support a Robust and Inclusive Recovery – A Global Social Protection Fund” is now online. The event was co-organized by the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and was held in the framework of the Spring Civil Society Policy Forum of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

The video is available in English, Spanish and French.

The speakers at the event were: Cathy Feingold (International Director of the AFL-CIO and Deputy President of ITUC); Olivier de Schutter (UN Special Rapporteur for Extreme Poverty and Human Rights); Omar Faruk Osman (Secretary General of the Federation of Somali Trade Unions); Yolande Wright (Head of Child Poverty at Save the Children, GCSPF); Didier Jacobs (Senior Advisor at Oxfam) and Michal Rutkowski (Global Director for Social Protection and Jobs at the World Bank). Read more

By Markus Kaltenborn and Laura Kreft
For years, social experts have proposed the establishment of a Global Fund for Social Protection – an international institution to help low-income countries develop the capacity to finance a minimum level of social protection for their population. The debate is now gaining momentum. The article is published in D+C. Read the article here

Through this paper, Action Against Hunger (AAH) looks back on the importance of developing rights-based social protection systems, and on States‘ commitment through the adoption of the 202 ILO recommendation on social protection floors. The document highlights how the macroeconomic policies of international financial institutions, and the social protection programs they promote, have a negative impact on the realization of the right to social protection for all, and offers recommendations to reverse this paradigm.
The paper highlights the flaws of a targeted approach to social protection, which “have been found to have higher administrative costs than universal ones, and exclude many people who need, and have the right to, protection.”
The paper recommends a bolder approach to universal social protection and calls on governments, development partners – in particular, G20 States (with a particular focus on France), the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group – to make a major shift towards social justice, through the promotion of universal social protection floors. Read more

The need to rebuild the social organization of care has become more urgent during the covid-19 pandemic: women around the world have been forced to take on even more responsibility for the work of caring for their families, children, the elderly, the sick, people with disabilities etc. amidst the confinement measures needed to reduce the transmission of the coronavirus.
How to set this reconstruction in motion was the focal point of the webinar “Beijing+25 and the future of care” held on March 30 as a side event to the Generation Equality Forum (GEF) organized by UN Women. The presentations all confirmed that it is only through a comprehensive economic and political perspective that changes the current economic model and strengthens public care services financed by the adoption of fair and progressive tax systems that fundamental change will be possible. Only in this way we can achieve adequate remuneration for workers in this largely female sector and reduce the burden of unpaid care work of women.
The event was organized by Public Services International (PSI) in alliance with the Center for Economic and Social Rights, Dawn - Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era, Womankind Worldwide, Global Alliance for Tax Justice, ActionAid, and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. Participants debated the issue of care in the context of progress and setbacks in the implementation of public policies for women and girls in line with the objectives of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Read more

WSM publishes a handbook to share reflections and good practices on gender equality on four continents, in four languages (FR, NL, EN, ES). Mixing theory and practices, it aims to encourage organizations to make a concrete commitment towards greater gender equality.
Gender equality means equal rights and equal opportunities between men and women. Equality between men and women is essential to ensure the sustainability and inclusiveness of development. It is an essential principle that is, however, rarely applied.
Designed both to raise awareness and to capitalize on experiences, this “roadmap” is also a tool in which we set out our vision and strategy on gender equality in a very accessible way. Read more

The UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Olivier De Schutter, is launching a long-term video project to support the campaign for global social protection.
You can take part by pressing the record button of your camera/phone (horizontal/landscape format) and by responding to the question: “Why does social protection matters to me/to us, in our specific situation”. Be as concrete as possible, based on your job, your family situation, etc. Feel free to also ask the following question: “How does the absence of social protection affect my life”.
Please send them your video by WeTransfer or other big files transfer system (max 2 minutes). The videos will be regularly posted on a YouTube channel and on www.srpoverty.org. Deadline to share your video is April 20th.
To send your videos and for any additional information or suggestion, please contact them at projects@srpoverty.org Read more

The video and the notes of the virtual side event “Building Roofs and Raising Floors Through Inclusive Digital Technologies and A Global Fund for Social Protection”, co-organized by the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) and Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), are now online.

High level speakers from Governments, United Nations, civil society and academia tackled the diverse and interconnecting perspectives on social protection and homelessness, how digital technology can extend social protection floors to those who are living without roofs and the value and urgency of the Global Fund for Social Protection to deliver to all the right to social protection. The side event took place at the UN Commission for Social Development 2021 (CSocD59) and was held on Friday 12 February, 2021. Read more.

The Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors, in partnership with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), is pleased to invite you to the event “International Solidarity to Support a Robust and Inclusive Recovery – A Global Social Protection Fund” that will be held in the framework of the Spring Civil Society Policy Forum of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The event will take place on Thursday 25 March 2021, 10:00 – 11:30 hs (Washington D.C. time). Read more

The Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors calls on the G20 to launch an initiative to establish a Global Fund for Social Protection. This year’s G20 is a critical opportunity for the world’s largest economies to come together and coordinate a response to overcome the consequences of the pandemic as such an act of international solidarity would unite the world on the path towards an equitable recovery from this pandemic. An advocacy letter was sent to members of the Employment Working Group that had two meetings in February. The letter calls for a Global Fund for Social Protection that would provide technical assistance for governments to offer a set of benefits that would guarantee a minimum income security for all over the life cycle. Read more

The Covid-19 pandemic has brutally exposed the fault lines of the global divide between those that have universal social protection, including health and income support, and those that don’t.
The world could fund the establishment of social protection systems or help bridge funding gaps with a clear path for sustainability.
The ITUC supports the idea of a global fund for social protection, which could help to bridge financing gaps for social protection for the world’s poorest countries, who lack sufficient fiscal space to build up social protection floors in the short-term on their own. It could also be accompanied by technical support to support States build up their capacity to finance social protection over the medium-long term. Financing a Global Social Protection Fund is an act of solidarity that can be realised. Read more

The blog by Michael Cichon highlights that “the COVID crisis is an opportunity to make the recognition of the role of social protection more permanent, and there is an almost unique opportunity to achieve this. This June it will be 10 years since the ILO’s 100th International Labour Conference (ILC) held a general discussion on social security. Still, under the dark shadow of the Global Financial Crisis, the 100th ILC in 2011 decided to request the ILO to develop a Recommendation on Social Protection Floors (SPFs). Just a year later Recommendation R. 202 concerning national floors of social protection was unanimously adopted by tripartite delegations from all 187 ILO member states (except for Panama, who abstained). The concept of the social protection floor originated from the work of a Joint UN Crisis Initiative that the ILO and WHO co-chaired since 2009. This June, the 110th ILC will review the ILO’s work on social protection in another general discussion. This is the time when the international community should commission the development of a stronger instrument of international law on universal social protection.” Read more

Unprecedented global working-hour losses in 2020. In terms of the pandemic’s overall impact in 2020, the new ILO annual estimates confirm that it caused massive disruptions in the world of work. In 2020, 8.8 per cent of global working hours were lost relative to the fourth quarter of 2019, equivalent to 255 million full-time jobs (assuming a 48 hour working week). These losses were global and unprecedented.
While the disruption was global, there was substantial variation between regions. The labour market disruption in 2020 far exceeded the impact of the global financial crisis of 2009. The effect of the COVID-19 shock on global working hours has therefore been approximately four times greater than that of the global financial crisis. Read more

The 59th session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD59) will address the Priority Theme “Socially just transition towards sustainable development: the role of digital technologies on social development and well-being of all”. The CSocD59 will take place from 8th to 17th February 2021 in an hybrid (in-person and digital) format.

The list of side events is here. Side events organized by members of the GCSPF are listed below.
Read the information of the virtual side event “Building Roofs and Raising Floors Through Inclusive Digital Technologies and A Global Fund for Social Protection”, co-organized by the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) and Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP).

The NGO Committee for Social Development that follows and echoes the work of the UN Commission for Social Development, amplifying the many voices that are left behind and highlighting local examples of resilience, solidarity and hope moving forward communities in spite of the systemic obstacles they face everyday. Click here to read and sign the Civil Society Declaration.

The NGO Committee will hold a 5-days Virtual Civil Society Forum (CSF 2021) that will include an all virtual Orientation and Networking event, three Thematic Sessions and a Closing Session. Please register separately for each event of the CSF 2021.

Migration and displacement in practice and purpose are a depiction of transition. Heavily influenced by digital technology, in the modern world ensuring this experience is not plagued with cross-cutting issues such as forced displacement, climate change and inequalities is integral, if we as a global community are to build a just, sustainable future. This event, organized by UNANIMA International, will not only holistically explore and address the Commission's theme in the context of migration and displacement but will also provide concrete links between the priority theme of CSocD59 and its past priority themes, particularly that of CSocD58, which was focused on social protection floors and homelessness. The dialogue will give an opportunity for members of the panel to discuss drivers, outcomes, policies, preventative solutions, and good practices for services. Staying true to our mantra “don't talk about us, without us,” this event will host a number of conversations between different types of experts on a common theme.
The flyer is here and the concept note is here. Please register here.
The virtual side event will take place on 9 February, 8:30 am - 9:45 am EST.

The side-event coorganized by the International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW) in cooperation with other partners will to explore the pre-requisites and core activities necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have access to and use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and are fully capable of improving the terms of their participation in society through wider opportunities and access to resources, including digital resources. The presenters will address the existing challenges, as well as good practices that contribute to shaping the most appropriate models of digitalization focused on social well-being and welfare promotion.
The concept note is here. Please register here. To participate click here (Access code 631894).
The virtual side event will take place on 9 February, 10 am - 11:15 am EST.

The First Thematic Panel on "Digital Inclusion in Education and Social Protection for All", as part of the Civil Society Forum 2021, CSocD59.
Digital technology is not neutral. Big data, algorithms, and artificial intelligence are informed by existing human biases and reinforce stereotypes, perpetuating discrimination, and inequity. Disparities are also pervasive among existing users of digital technology. Gender biases contribute to compromised technological literacy in women, resulting in fewer women in STEM fields and less participation in innovation. Access and literacy are inextricably linked and together have the power to connect the most vulnerable communities to social benefits, culture, healthcare, and education, among much more.
Further information is available here. Please register here.
The virtual event will take place on Tuesday 9 February, 10:30 am - 12 pm EST.

In this event, we will offer several perspectives about ways digital technology can alleviate or help end homelessness. A youth will provide their experience. We will hear from two digital technology companies about their means of using technology with regard to homelessness. Ideas about using technology to count homelessness (so that it can be addressed) willbe offered. And a speaker will discuss using technology to provide education to persons without homes.
The Congregation of the Mission, the Company of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, the International Associations of Charities (AIC), Sisters of Charity Federation, the International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary all are involved in a variety of efforts to end homelessness.
The flyer is here and the concept note is here. Please register here.
The virtual side event will take place on 9 February, 1:15 pm - 2:30 pm EST.

Economy of Wellbeing (EoW) is a policy orientation and governance approach that places people and their wellbeing at the center of policy and decision- making. This Virtual Side Event aims at global discussion on the EoW by bringing together speakers from Europe, Africa and Asia to explore the characteristics and conditions for EoW, and linking it with “just transition”.
The concept note is here. Please register here.
The virtual side event will take place on 11 February, 8:30 am - 9:45 am EST.

The virtual side event co-organized by the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors and Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) with bring together speakers from the Governments of Finland and Belgium, the United Nations, civil society, academia, and lived experience. Speakers will explore the diverse and interconnecting perspectives on social protection and homelessness, and discuss why the Global Fund for Social Protection is necessary to ensure that all have the right to social protection. Speakers will specifically consider how digital technology can extend social protection floors to those who are living without roofs.
The flyer is here and the concept note is here. Please register here.
The virtual side event will take place on Friday 12 February, 08.30 am - 09.45 am (EST).

A diverse panel organized by International Movement ATD Fourth World will bring together activists with a lived experience of poverty—affected by either the digital divide or the digital transformation of public services—academics working on the digital welfare state, and Member State representatives proposing good practices. They will engage in discussion on the intersectional challenges that lie in transforming government services in the digital era while protecting the rights, dignity and wellbeing of all, especially that of individuals and families with lived experience of poverty.
The flyer is here. Please register here.
The virtual side event will take place on Monday 15 February, 1:15 pm - 2:30 pm (EST).

The State of Broadband 2019 report reveals that global growth in the percentage of households connected to the internet is slowing, rising only slightly to 54.8% from 53.1% last year. In low-income countries, household internet adoption improved by a mere 0.8% on average. While businesses are increasingly offering consumers the option to transact through online and mobile platforms, two major barriers prevent consumers from adopting these digital options: lack of internet connectivity (digital exclusion) and lack of a bank account to receive or make payments (financial exclusion). The experience of COVID-19 has intensified the fundamental weakness in digital inclusion for micro small and medium enterprises, and those in marginalized communities to receive social benefits . The panel -coorganized by Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Loreto Generalate- will explore interlinkages between financial and digital exclusion, regulatory challenges, disparities in broadband connectivity including technology behind internet connectivity and propose solutions.
The virtual side event will take place on Monday 15 February, 1.15 pm - 2.30 pm (EST).

In this side event (co-organized by Justice Coalition of Religious: DC, CM, CND, Congregations of St. Joseph, OP, CMF, IBVM & CJ, PBVM, MM, MMS, OMI, CP, RSHM, Salesian Missions, SSND, Sisters of Charity Federation, SND de Namur, RSCJ, UNANIMA International) we will learn from the experiences, perspectives, and visions of several Catholic women and men Religious who are dedicated to service of those on the disconnected side of our current digital divide. They will shine a light on the particular ways the digital divide has impacted the marginalised communities in which they live and minister. They will also offer their insights into what the first steps toward digitalization could look like in their communities and the role they are ready to play in that process.
The concept note is here. The flyer is here. Please register here.
The virtual side event will take place on Monday 15 February, 1.15 pm - 2.30 pm (EST).

Indigenous Peoples' representatives will share issues as well as development principles to remedy or avoid these social concerns. The panel presentations are followed by questions allowing all stakeholders to implement their organizations' plans with consideration of Indigenous Peoples' development principles that advance Indigenous Peoples’ continued sustainable social development. Eliminate systemic racism to achieve a socially just transition towards sustainable development incorporating Indigenous Peoples’ development principles shared at this side event. Implement human rights instruments allowing equitable decision-making to ensure digital technologies promote social development and well-being of all. Promote Indigenous Peoples’ development index measuring social development progress with data we own and share in accordance with DRIP to fill data gaps. The event is organized by The Grail.
The concept note is here.
The event will be held on Wednesday 17 February, 8:30 am - 9:45 am (EST).

“Youth Perspectives on Family Homelessness and Technology” will primarily give voice to the perspectives people with lived experience of homelessness/displacement and University students on how Family Homelessness is affected by technology, including through examination of the role of digital technologies on social development and well-being of all, especially the most marginalized of our world (migrants, refugees, visible and hidden homeless populations). Topics of presentation within this discussion will include inequality as a driver of homelessness, experiences of hidden homelessness, human trafficking, and experiences of displacement. UNANIMA International’s intention is to showcase perspectives which consider gender and social justice lenses, which are particularly relevant to both issues of Family Homelessness and technology. The contributions of lived experience will rightfully place these individuals as experts on the topics which affect them. This event is organized by Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
The concept note is here. Please register here.
The virtual side event will be held on Wednesday 17 February, 08.30 am - 09.45 am (EST).

The blog “What's next for Social Protection: A Global Fund for Social Protection” by Nicola Wiebe is published as part of the activities to promote and disseminate the results and key discussions of the global e-Conference ‘Turning the COVID-19 crisis into an opportunity: What’s next for social protection?’.

The article summarises the key messages from the e-Conference’s Side Event on A Global Fund for Social Protection. The session was moderated by Alison Tate, Director of Economic and Social Policy of International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and joined by speakers Valérie Schmitt, Deputy Director of International Labour Organization (ILO); Gabriel Fernández, Social Protection Specialist of Africa Platform for Social Protection (APSP); Markus Kaltenborn, Professor of Law of Ruhr University Bochum; Sulistri Afrileston, Deputy President of the Confederation of Indonesia Prosperous Trade Union KSBSI, member of ITUC;  Michael Cichon, Professor emeritus of Social Protection of Maastricht Graduate School of Governance at the United Nations University in Maastricht (UNU MERIT); Marcus Manuel, Senior Research Associate of Overseas Development Institute (ODI). The full session is available here and the blog is here.

Different versions of a flyer, with information about the Global Coalition in order to promote our objectives and main activities are now published on the website and it is available in different formats.

The flyer is available in English, Arabic, French and Spanish.

The virtual side event “Building Roofs and Raising Floors Through Inclusive Digital Technologies and A Global Fund for Social Protection”, organized by the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors, will be held in the framework of the Commission for Social Development 2021 (CSocD59).
The virtual side event will take place on 12 February 08.30-09.45 am (EST).

Oxfam launched the report “Shelter from the Storm. The global need for universal social protection in times of COVID-19”. As 2020 draws to a close, the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic shows no sign of abating. Without urgent action, global poverty and inequality will deepen dramatically. Hundreds of millions of people have already lost their jobs, gone further into debt or skipped meals for months. Research by Oxfam and Development Pathways shows that over 2 billion people have had no support from their governments in their time of need.

Our analysis shows that none of the social protection support to those who are unemployed, elderly people, children and families provided in low- and middle-income countries has been adequate to meet basic needs. 41% of that government support was only a one-off payment and almost all government support has now stopped.

Decades of social policy focused on tiny levels of means-tested support have left most countries completely unprepared for the COVID-19 economic crisis. Yet, countries such as South Africa and Bolivia have shown that a universal approach to social protection is affordable, and that it has a profound impact on reducing inequality and protecting those who need it most. Read more

The attempt in the report “Migration in South Asia: Poverty and Vulnerability” published by SAAPE is to understand the underlying causes of the migration of the poor, from both within a country as well as from a regional perspective. While migration is also a result of people seeking better economic opportunities, among the poor, this is primarily a survival strategy. Poor people migrate because of a crisis to the survival of their families and communities. Rising inequalities, destruction of livelihood options, war and conflicts, climate and environmental crises are all major drivers of migration. While the poor are forced out across state and national borders, they often face hostility in their migration destinations. They have to face up to the loss of democratic rights, absence of any social security protection and the loss of a protective community. Read more

The report “COVID-19 and older people in Asia Pacific: 2020 in review” published by UNFPA and HelpAge International is a look back at how the pandemic affected older people in Asia Pacific in 2020.

This paper documents some of the key themes that emerged throughout the year and suggests critical gaps that 2021 will urgently need to address. The pandemic has exposed the fine line between highlighting older people’s social vulnerabilities and reinforcing ageist perceptions. Read more

Considering the global pandemic situation, the 2021 edition of the World Social Forum will be virtual from January 23 to 31, 2021.

The proposal is an assembly of several ideas and part of the experience of face-to-face forums, mixed with the potentialities of the virtual one. The program is here.

SOCIAL JUSTICE: PRINCIPLE AND OBJECTIVE OF SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION. The event will be held on 28th January 2-5 pm UCT.

The dramatic increase in working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the poor working conditions experienced by many homeworkers.

Those working from home, whose number has greatly increased due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, need better protection, says the International Labour Organization (ILO) in a new report. Since homeworking occurs in the private sphere it is often “invisible”. In low- and middle-income countries for instance, almost all home-based workers (90 per cent) work informally.

They are usually worse off than those who work outside the home, even in higher-skilled professions. Homeworkers earn on average 13 per cent less in the United Kingdom; 22 per cent less in the United States of America; 25 per cent less in South Africa and about 50 per cent in Argentina, India and Mexico.

The report, Working from home. From invisibility to decent work, also shows that homeworkers do not have the same level of social protection as other workers. They are also less likely to be part of a trade union or to be covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

The report is available in English, French and Spanish.

Created in 1979, our Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) – Action Against Hunger – is fighting against hunger in the world. Its mission is to save lives eradicating hunger through the prevention, detection, and treatment of malnutrition, in particular during and after emergency situations caused by conflicts and natural disasters.

Today, Action Against Hunger is a major player in the fight against hunger in the world. Structured on an international network, that provides a coordinated response in nearly 50 countries.

The French organization, which legal name is “Action Contre la Faim – France”, is now member of the Global Coalition. Further information can be found here. Our 2019 narrative report, in French, is here. Our 2018’s report which is in English is here

Contact information: Johanna Wagman (Advocacy Analyst – Rights and Essential Services)

Pakistan Evaluation Association (PEA) is a voluntary association that promotes evaluation across Pakistan at national and sub national levels. PEA, as a professional body, advocates the culture of transparency and accountability through Evaluation in the government, private sector, and civil society.

PEA is an active Voluntary Organization Promoting Evaluation (VOPE). In a very small tenure it establishes to champion, advocate, and become voice of evaluation community at the national level. PEA is currently one of the only active evaluation associations in the country and region.

Further information can be found here.

Contact information
Sarah Davies, Coordinator
Sarah.davies88@hotmail.co.uk, pakevaluationassociation@gmail.com
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