Social protection features in numerous country policies and development agency strategies, as well as in several Sustainable Development Goals. However, following more than two decades of considerable expansion in policies, programmes, and research, the sector finds itself at a crossroads.
In this podcast Rachel Sabates-Wheeler, IDS Research Fellow and one of the editors of the recent IDS Bulletin ‘Reimagining Social Protection’ is in conversation with social protection experts Charis Reid (International Labour Organization), Jeremy Seekings (University of Cape Town) and Maria Kuss (UNICEF).
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Drawing on key insights and lessons, they speak on why social protection is such an important issue in development, particularly in the global south. Given that social protection coverage recently passed 50 percent for the first time, but almost half the world’s population, (some 3.8 billion people) still have no access, what needs to be prioritised to ensure that we do not lose momentum on increasing social protection coverage globally?
Other topics of discussion in the podcast include:
- Politics: How can international actors best support governments and local civil society to take ownership and move towards nationally/ locally appropriate social protection systems?
- Inclusion and innovation: How can social protection programmes help vulnerable and excluded groups, particularly in terms of gender equality and social inclusion?
- Crises: Including examples of social protection and labour rights in conflict affected countries, such as Lebanon, the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) and Iraq and what can be done to strengthen humanitarian–development transitions using international standards?
As the guests in the podcast say, social protection is firmly on the agenda in most low- and middle-income countries. But we need to reimagine the scope and ambition of social protection in light of multiple threats.
The challenge that remains for social protection advocates is to support governments and civil society actors to move towards nationally chosen and locally appropriate holistic social protection systems, via more inclusive and responsive programming.
This podcast is a must-listen for researchers, policymakers and advocates about the role social protection plays in a shifting, uncertain, and volatile global context.
Read the IDS Bulletin: Reimagining Social Protection
About the Between the Lines podcast
This podcast series explores ground-breaking ideas in development for positive social and environmental change. Each month we feature an interview with an expert in international development who will talk about their latest research and ideas.
Episodes content could feature authors of new books, IDS research or interviews with special guest stars.
The discussions give an insight on the themes covered, exploring the challenges and discoveries, and why the issues matter for progressive and sustainable development globally.
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