EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT April 2012

1. Social Protection in the post 2015 MDGs Scenario: Promoting Rights and Social Justice Mark Davies Centre for Social Protection Name, IDS Sussex EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT April 2012 Promoting Social and Economic Justice

2. Key Messages Within a post 2015 development scenario, social protection has a critical role to play: Role and success of SP: continue to protect lives and livelihoods against shocks and stresses; platform for growth Can be key component in the ‘new’ MDG development agenda Need to move beyond social transfers to social justice Tackle inequality and address underlying causes: fostering social cohesion, equity, creating social contracts Requires universal programmes, based on rights with the involvement of people and an active civil society

3. What we have learnt from the MDGs?

4. The role of social protection Social protection is a success story of development policy over the last 10 years Millions have gained access, impacts have been documented: PSNP (Ethiopia); MGNREGA (India); Latin America; TUP (Bangladesh) Programmes can help people survive, cope and mitigate the effects of shocks, support growth and even ‘graduate’ the poor out of poverty Important, but SP can do much more It can and should tackle the underlying causes of vulnerability and poverty – in doing so, can provide social justice

5. The role of social protection 4 dimensions of SP: (3P’s and T) • Protection instruments [social assistance] • Pension schemes; child protection; food/cash transfers • Preventative instruments [insurance] • Insurance schemes; unemployment schemes; livelihood diversification • Promotive instruments [productivity enhancing] • Micro-credit; PWP; assets transfers • Transformative instruments [social justice/RBA] • Minimum wage; maternity benefits; legislation Short term Long-term

6. Pathways to social justice Social justice is not new: Social Justice, 1919 (ILO) “universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice” 1945 and beyond 1. Develop social contracts Social contract: relationship between state and its citizens with state accountable to its citizens Many governments unwilling or unable to deliver social protection Reliance on (unaccountable) donors can undermine this In practice: MGNREGA in India - negotiations between the state and citizens – active civil society as a driver; south Africa -contract developed, law enforces it 2. Addressing power inequalities and improving equity Power shapes the quality of social relationships and the framing of policy questions Systems of patronage, keeping people marginalised, excluded – unable to escape Measures that redress power differentials between individuals and groups can encourage inclusionary economic change

7. Pathways to social justice 3. Universalism and rights A good society is built on a vision of social solidarity with universal protections Targeting is the norm - unlikely to make inroads into poverty where it is widespread Moving from SP as charity to SP as a right based on entitlements Builds support among middle-income groups – tax and funding for sp and services 4. Comprehensive social policies Social policy cannot be separated from efforts to create employment-centred growth and structural change Allows for incorporation into social assistance and funding of more people into social protection schemes that are redistributive

8. Pathways to social justice 5. The role of civil society Advocacy and empowerment: Ensuring that people’s needs are included in the design of SP Ensuring that people know their rights and claim them Accountability: Participate in monitoring and evaluation

9. Conclusions: Future directions for social protection? Economic growthSocial justice Economic protectionSocial protection Livelihood promotionResilient livelihoods Welfarist safety netsRights-based entitlement Public works Decent work International aid agendaNational social contract Donor–drivenCitizen–driven BeneficiariesClaimants