The Civil Society Conference offered a platform for various coalitions of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to host events aimed at sharing information, developing solutions, and advocating for enhanced global governance and systemic reform.
Social Protection: Why universal social protection is essential for inclusive development, peace and security in the present and future.
We co-sponsored a side event on Social Protection with UNANIMA International, Save the Children International, the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF), the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), the International Presentation Association (IPA), and the Building Blocks for Peace Foundation at the Tribe Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.
The 2030 Agenda (SDG 1.3) includes a firm commitment to “implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and vulnerable.” Despite this commitment, more than half of the global population still lacks access to social protection, and less than 1 in 10 children in low-income countries receive child benefits.
During the panel discussion, participants shared insights into the situations in their respective countries and regions, highlighting the actions their communities are taking to advocate for expanded social protection. They emphasized the urgent need for the Pact for the Future to prioritize increasing social protection coverage and its financing. Additionally, they discussed the importance of developing concrete proposals for the 2025 World Social Summit.
Key learnings:
- Communities can develop solutions to the issues they face. Ask and listen to the people.
- Invest in the Care economy.
- The first 1,000 days of a child are critical. We need to invest in it or it will affect them for the rest of their life. Save the Children, UNICEF and International Labour Organisation (ILO) developed a Child Benefits Tracker. You can access it HERE.
- There is a financial gap to achieve Universal Social Protection especially for low-income countries. Read the ILO Working Paper on Social Protection HERE.
Watch the event recording HERE.
A New Global Deal
I also attended an event organized by the Foundation for European Progressive Studies titled “New Global Deal.” Given the current global landscape marked by increasing inequality, military conflicts, environmental crises, and the fragility of multilateral systems like the UN, it was enlightening to hear progressive perspectives from policymakers. Various speakers engaged in dialogue with experts and policymakers, presenting their findings on the reinvention of global governance. They emphasized the necessity of including these perspectives in the Pact for the Future, envisioning a new global deal that bridges nations and generations.
Key learnings:
- We need a change in our global economic financial system as the current system creates and perpetuates inequality. If we do not address inequality, we will not meet our interplanetary goals.
- Sixty percent of low-income countries are in debt distress. World Bank and IMF need to look beyond the conditionality framework. Austerity measures do not address financial crisis and erode the social fabric.
- Innovations need to be decentralized. We need local innovations – solutions that based in local communities. Sustainable solutions are often innovated locally.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) should serve humanity. It should be designed to better humanity not for other reasons. We need to understand that all technologies are biased and unless we have open data with information coming from all cultures, data will continue to reinforce the bias.
- We need funding for Universal Social Protection. Currently four billion people do not have access to any form of social protection.
- We need youth engagement and to support youth to ensure their economic inclusion and participation. They are entering into a very challenging and competitive environment.
Photo: Top: Our delegates together with other NGO delegates who attended our Side Event at Tribe Hotel in Nairobi. Bottom: Our delegates at the conference venue.
