UNICEF’s Social Policy Agenda Regional Workshop, Bangkok 12-16 May 2008 Gaspar Fajth Chief, Social Policy and Economic Analyses Policy, Advocacy and Knowledge Management Section UNICEF.
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UNICEF’s Social Policy Agenda Regional Workshop, Bangkok 12-16 May 2008 Gaspar Fajth Chief, Social Policy and Economic Analyses Policy, Advocacy and Knowledge Management Section UNICEF Division of Policy and Practice, New York Themes • • • • Is social policy engagement new for UNICEF? Global challenges and opportunities UNICEF’s social policy agenda: 2006-2009 The Global Study and some other HQ initiatives UNICEF's mission statement – a closer look • UNICEF is mandated … to advocate for – the protection of children's rights, – to help meet their basic needs and – to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. • UNICEF insists that the survival, protection and development of children are universal development imperatives that are integral to human progress. • UNICEF is committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children • UNICEF mobilizes political will and material resources – to help countries, particularly developing countries, ensure a "first call for children" and – to build their capacity to form appropriate policies and deliver services for children – and their families. Global challenges and opportunities • Global agendas – – – – – – – – Human rights Sustainable Development Market Reform/Structural Adjustment Nations State/Democracy Human Development Human Security MDGs/Global Poverty Governance reform Global challenges and opportunities • Global trends – – – – – – – Integration through trade and capital flows Rising inequalities Demographic change, migration New patterns of economic growth and employment Environmental risks, climate change Commodity boom/price hikes More volatility Global challenges and opportunities • Global opportunities – – – – The international agendas… South-led development Creating welfare states/inclusive societies in the south Evidence-based, child-sensitive policy making (inc. policy transfers) – Networking. UNICEF’s priorities (2006-2009 Strategic Plan) and the MDG’s The MDGs 1. Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger 2. Achieve Universal Primary Education 3. Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women 4. Reduce Child Mortality 5. Improve Maternal Health 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other Diseases 7. Ensure Environmental Sustainability 8. Develop a Global Partnership for Development UNICEF Priorities (Focus Areas) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Young child survival and development Basic education and gender equality HIV/AIDS and children Child protection from violence, exploitation and abuse Policy advocacy and partnerships for children’s rights Focus Area 5: Policy advocacy and partnerships for children’s rights 2006• Four key result (activity) areas – – – – collecting data and information supporting research and policy analysis engaging in advocacy and policy dialogue with decision makers supporting participation by children and young people • Current thematic agenda: – – – – – – Child poverty and disparities Social protection Social budgets Decentralization Migration Legislative reforms for children’s rights UNICEF’s ‘implicit’ social policy objectives 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The right to a family upbringing is realized for all children. All children have access to basic social services (nutrition, WES, health, education, protective environment including family support/community services). Equity-enhancing mechanism are in place (including genderequity!) Children/families/communities are protected from and/or empowered to cope with adversity, crises and dislocations, including those stemming from economic reform, instability of income/employment, migration or conflict. Children/families/communities participate in resources allocations, strategic decisions and policymaking affecting them. Underlying assumption current international policy frameworks and growth, investment, trade trends associated with globalization (or with the lack of it) will either be slow or ineffective in addressing all these objectives! Initiatives on Social Policy Analyses and Community of Practice • Examples – – – – – Global Study on Child Poverty and Disparities Budget Networking Social Protection Decentralization Migration Work on Child Poverty and Disparities Builds on recent training courses esp. “Public Policy and Advocacy for Children’s Rights” and “Social Protection” FA5 Thematic funding (new round in May) Started in September 2007 by launching the “Guide” and the web-link Downloadable from: www.unicefglobalstudy.blogspot.com The Global Study Guide Table of Contents Section I. Welcome to the Global Study on Child Poverty and Disparities Section II. Conceptual Framework Section III. The Country Analysis Section IV. Statistical Template Section V. Policy Template Annex 1. Detailed layout for Statistical Tables Annex 2. Terms of Reference for work on the Templates and Country Report Annex 3. List of Participating Countries/Offices and Focal Points Note: Flexibility and adaptation to local context encouraged! Work on Public Budgets Training courses “Budget Policies and Investments for Children” FA5 Thematic funding (new round in May) Global advocacy: • UNICEF conference on Budgets in Madrid (October) to share experience of budget work for children’s rights. • Side Event on national budgets and children at Doha Financing for Development meeting? Knowledge sharing: • Budgeting for Children’s Rights Intranet page http://www.intranet.unicef.org/PD/EyesOnTheWorld.nsf/dx/Social_Budget. htm including reference material, country examples, OR proposals, learning materials, external references and more • Eyes on the budget monthly newsletters (March, April) • “Two pager” on UNICEF, Budget work and Children Development of a Community of Practice (forthcoming) Community of Practice in Economic and Social Policies Who is it for? • UNICEF staff and partners engaged in relevant work (e.g. budget, poverty) What would it do? • Capture existing internal/external experience, knowledge and expertise • Systematize key internal and external reference materials • Connect people to information and people to people • Provide a mutual support network • Identify support needs, knowledge gaps and barriers to success • Help pool our efforts to address them • Build our knowledge base through network queries • Provide inputs to organizational strategy, policy, advocacy, fundraising, partnerships How would it work? • Dedicated collaborative e-space • Active facilitation from HQ and with support from ROs • Face to face meetings to discuss priorities and needs Community of Practice in Economic and Social Policies What do we need from you? • • • • • Your experiences Your expertise and knowledge To know what you need from us To give us feedback on how we should help/do better Your engagement to make this work! Contact persons: • • • • Budget networking: Ian Thorpe /PAKM/DPP [email protected] (see also [email protected]) Poverty networking: Sharmila Kurukulasuriya /PAKM/DPP [email protected] (see also www.unicefglobalstudy.blogspot.com) Migration: Rhea Saab /PAKM/DPP [email protected] Social Protection: Katherine Holland /PAKM/DPP [email protected] thank you for joining us and helping to move this agenda forward!