Development Pathways Ltd

New blog! In recent years, Development Pathways has partnered with Act Svenska kyrkan to publish a series of papers on universal social security. Following the publication of the papers, Gunnel Axelsson Nycander, Policy Adviser at Act Church of Sweden, has been actively engaging with key global actors on the implications of the papers, making a strong case for universality. In this latest blog, she shares how the push for universal social security in low- and middle-income countries is gaining traction with key players like the World Bank and the EU. "Maybe things are beginning to move," she writes, although she also notes that obstacles remain. Read here: https://lnkd.in/edAciDnD

An interesting article from the Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center discusses the new Lebanon pension reform which aims to replace the end-of-service indemnity with a monthly pension system. While it's a step in the right direction, the reform faces challenges in benefit adequacy, solvency, and coverage. Two of our key takeaways from the article: 1. Transparent, progressive redistribution is vital 2. Coverage should extend to informal sectors This highlights a crucial point: the need for universal social protection. As economies evolve, traditional employment models are changing. We need pension systems that cover all workers, regardless of their employment type or sector. What are your thoughts on creating more robust and universal pension systems? https://lnkd.in/eGrb4KXC

Social protection can support the economic and social participation of persons with disabilities, including by addressing the significant extra costs faced by persons with disabilities. Since 2005, several Pacific countries have introduced disability benefits, with seven countries launching new schemes. This is helping improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities, aligning with the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In fact, many Pacific island countries have relatively high levels of coverage for persons with disabilities through their social protection systems compared to countries in the wider East Asia–Pacific region. 🔗 Read the blog: https://lnkd.in/g_VsC6h3 🔗 Read the easy read blog: https://lnkd.in/g65V7r6v #SocialProtection #Pacific #TimorLeste Development Pathways Ltd Photo by Pacific Disability Forum.

We're honoured to share that our very own Stephen Kidd, CEO and Senior Social Policy Specialist at Development Pathways, was invited to deliver a training session at the ITCILO Academy on Social Security in Turin. Stephen had the opportunity to share his insights on targeted social protection programmes with an international audience of professionals and policymakers. We're grateful for opportunities like these that contribute to the global conversation on effective social protection strategies.

The Digital Divide in African Social Protection: A new study from the Institute of Development Studies explores the impact of digitalising social protection systems on marginalised workers in Africa. While digitalisation promises increased efficiency, this study highlights the urgent need for more inclusive strategies to ensure no one is left behind and reveals that millions of informal workers face further exclusion due to digitalisation. The report synthesises findings based on conversations with domestic workers, disabled workers, migrant workers, and home-based workers and offers recommendations, establishing a clear agenda for change in African social protection systems. Full report: https://lnkd.in/e6r2MHeP How can we bridge this digital divide in social protection? Share your thoughts! #SocialProtection #DigitalInclusion #InformalWorkers #Africa

Want to know how we advocate for universal social security? Read Gunnel Axelsson Nycander's latest blog, which discusses the various discussions that have led to wins and challenges in our campaign for the right to universal social security. Read here: https://lnkd.in/edAciDnD You can also read the key reports we have developed alongside Act Church of Sweden over the past few years: 1. Hit and Miss: An assessment of targeting effectiveness in social protection - https://lnkd.in/efZuXVrt 2. Social registries: a short history of abject failure - https://lnkd.in/eXC3u-jA 3. The social contract and the role of universal social security in building trust in government - https://lnkd.in/ehVRANNF 4. An affordable and feasible pathway to universal social security - https://lnkd.in/eXRVMwGE 5. Taking stock of progress: A compilation of universal social security schemes in low- and middle-income countries - https://lnkd.in/eRWn-NiZ

The International Labour Organization's World Social Protection Report 2024-26 is here, with a focus on the need for universal social protection amidst climate crises. More than 50% of the world's population is now covered by some form of social protection, but more than 3.8 billion people are still not covered. Here are the five key takeaways from the executive summary: 1. Social protection makes an important contribution to both climate change adaptation and mitigation. 2. Social protection is an enabler of climate action and a catalyst for a just transition and greater social justice. 3. Decisive policy action is required to strengthen social protection systems and adapt them to new realities. 4. The capacity of social protection systems to contribute to a just transition is held back by persistent gaps in social protection coverage, adequacy and financing. 5. Social justice must inform climate action and a just transition, with human rights at the heart of the process. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/dXkXBxzA

How can we integrate rural development initiatives with social protection to build inclusive food systems? Drawing from India's MGNREGS & NRLM, a new paper by Garima Bhalla & Meekha Hannah Paul highlights community institutions, inclusive value chains, and tech-enabled planning as key approaches. Read the paper here: https://lnkd.in/ekYwjYYZ

Thank you Development Pathways Ltd for asking me to put down some reflections on the discussions on universal security that I have been part of the last six months. While dialogues are a first positive step, the next months's negotiations about IDA21 - the World Bank's soft loan window - will show if any substantive change in the way the Bank approaches the universal/poverty targeting issue is to be expected in the foreseeable future. Britta Olofsson, Florian Juergens-Grant, Göran Holmqvist, Jon Bergeå, ALBA RIOBO SOUTO, Lena Simet, Ph.D., Hilda Sandberg, Elias Höckerfelt, Stefan Granlund, nicola wiebe, Anjela Taneja, Gloria Mafole, Isobel Frye, Sylvia Beales, ACT Alliance EU - European NGO Network, Christina Behrendt, Ugo Gentilini, Colin Andrews

Not only is it crucial to ask, "Does social protection encourage informality", but it is also worthwhile to think about "how" social protection can better support informal workers. Florian Juergens-Grant speaks about the importance of including workers and their organizations in conversations in our latest podcast. Listen to the full podcast here: https://lnkd.in/e4BSFxSU