The International Coalition for the social protection floor

The Network joined the initiative from the United Nations for a social protection floor (SPF).

In the discussions on the world economic and financial crisis, both at the G20 summit (London and Pittsburgh in 2009) and within the United Nations system, an international consensus has emerged on the importance of social protection as an irreplaceable instrument for reducing poverty and inequalities, for prevention and as an automatic dampener of crises, and as a factor for effective and sustainable economic and social development.

In April 2009, the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (UN-CEB), which brings together agencies in the UN system and the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, took the initiative of identifying the main priorities of the international community in meeting the present crisis. Thus, this Board requested the urgent launch of nine joint world initiatives, particularly initiative No 6 on “the social protection floor”, the objective of which is to guarantee effective and lasting access to an explicit, coherent and pertinent set of essential social services (education, health, food security, etc.) for the poorest and most vulnerable populations in the world.

The ILO and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have been designated co-leaders in charge of the organisation and coordination of the world initiative on the social protection floor, which brings together an international coalition involving 15 other United Nations agencies (UNICEF, UNDESA, WMO, FAO, UNESCO, etc.), international institutions (World Bank, International Monetary Fund) and regional development banks. The whole of the international community is called upon to join this international coalition.

Many countries have already undertaken the construction of an SPF, with different levels of complexity and progress. In Latin America in particular, several countries already have component parts of the social protection floor in place, with some outstanding results.

Burkina Faso has submitted a formal request to the Coalition agencies for support in creating a social protection floor, beginning with health insurance.

Education professionals have an important role to play in establishing the SPF, by introducing solutions themselves or by participating in the preparation of educational and awareness-raising material, etc.

Social Protection Floor Advisory Group :

http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/spfag/index.htm

Social Protection Floor web site:
 http://www.socialsecurityextension.org/gimi/gess/ShowTheme.do?tid=1321