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Date(s) - 25/01/2024
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Social Protection

Date: 25 January2024

Time: 10.00am GMT

Venue: Online

While universal social protection is broadly embraced as a goal or at least “a vision”, most social security programmes in low- and middle-income countries are poverty-targeted rather than universal, especially if they are supported by international development partners. The standard argument that that “universal social security is simply not affordable in poor countries” typically overrides all arguments for universality. In this webinar it is argued that

  1. It is financially feasible to introduce universal old age pensions, as well as child and disability benefits, in low- and middle-income countries, using the examples of Ghana, India, Uganda, and Vietnam.
  2. Gradual introduction of these benefits will reduce income poverty in a dramatic way.
  3. Worldwide, 53 low- and middle-income countries have already introduced 88 programs that guarantee universal access to such benefits. In very few cases, these programs are supported by development partners.

The presentations are based on two new reports by Development Pathways and Act Church of Sweden: An affordable and feasible pathway to universal social security using the principle of universality and Taking stock of progress: a compilation of universal or benefit-tested social security programmes in low- and middle-income countries. The reports will be presented by the authors Stephen Kidd and Daisy Sibun, and commented by a representative from a low- or middle-income country (undecided).

Speakers

Daisy Sibun, Social Protection Specialist, P4SP, Development Pathways

Stephen Kidd, Senior Social Protection Specialist, Development Pathways

(other TBC) 

Moderator: Gunnel Axelsson Nycander, Policy Advisor, Act Church of Sweden

Resources: An affordable and feasible pathway to universal social security using the principle of universality

For further details online and to register, click here.