Social Protection Podcast

Social Protection in Conflict and Protracted Crisis Series Ep. 2 | Localisation and local social protection systems in conflict and crisis

The need for greater ‘localisation’ of humanitarian and social assistance is clear in conflict and protracted crisis settings. The increasing difficulty for international organisations to operate is a key driver of localisation, as is the recognition of the essential role local actors (including government and civil society) play in improving the relevance, legitimacy, sustainability and effectiveness of aid. For social protection programs, the role of government as a local actor may be particularly complex or contested in these settings. This episode will explore the progress and challenges of this shift towards localisation, and how local organisations in Yemen and Southeast Asia have stepped up where international or government systems are weak.

Meet our guests:

• Abeer Al-Absi, Independent Consultant, STAAR Facility and BASIC Research
• Aung Naing, Research Consultant

 

For our Quick Wins segment, we welcome Courtenay Cabot Venton, where she talks about the study ‘Passing the Buck: The Economics of Localizing International Assistance’ with the Share Trust and the Warande Advisory Centre.

 

Resources:

• Humanitarian Activism, Social Protection, and Emergent Citizenship in Myanmar
• Sustaining Yemeni Capacities for Social Assistance

Social Protection in Conflict and Protracted Crisis Series Ep. 1 | Women and Other Marginalised Groups in Fragile Contexts

In times of conflict and protracted crises, social protection systems are often strained, yet they remain vital in supporting the most vulnerable populations. In this episode, we examine how gender-responsive social protection can mitigate the impact of crises on women, children, and other marginalised groups.

This episode examines the specific vulnerabilities of women and marginalised groups in these settings, the ways social protection programs are adapting to complex and evolving challenges, and key lessons for sustaining and expanding social protection in fragile contexts. We also explore the case of Lebanon, a country facing a multifaceted socio-economic crisis, compounded by political instability, refugee influx, and conflict.

This marks the first episode of our new three-part series on "Social Protection in Conflict and Protracted Crisis", produced by socialprotection.org in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO, which has funded the series and provided invaluable support in shaping the episodes and connecting us with guests.

Meet our guests:

• Rachel Sabates-Wheeler – Professorial Research Fellow & Director of the Centre for Social Protection at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS)
• Rima Al-Mokdad – Technical Specialist on Social Protection, Data & Research at UN Women in Lebanon

For our Quick Wins segment, we welcome Buumba Chityaba, a Human Rights Governance Specialist, to discuss the key takeaways from the recent Roadmap for the Use of Social Protection to Tackle Child Marriage in Zambia report.

Ep. 46 | Harnessing AI for Social Protection: opportunities and risks

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries worldwide, and social protection systems are no exception. From improving targeting and service delivery to enabling predictive interventions, AI has the potential to make social protection and humanitarian programs smarter and more responsive. But with these opportunities come significant challenges: data privacy concerns, biases in algorithms, and the risk of reducing human oversight in critical decision-making processes.

In this episode, we explore how AI is being integrated into social protection systems globally, aiming to address pressing questions such as: How can AI enhance social protection without compromising fairness and accountability? What safeguards are needed to ensure that data remains secure and ethical principles are upheld?

Meet our guest:

• Thomas Byrnes, Humanitarian & Social Protection Consultant, Founder and Director of MarketImpact

For our Quick Wins segment, we are joined by Ralf Radermacher, Head of Programme, Social Protection, at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, sharing some key takeaways from the ‘AI for Social Protection’ workshop, which took place from 19–21 November 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Resources:

Publication | Harnessing the Transformative Potential of Generative AI for Humanitarian Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance Opportunities, Risks, Barriers, and Recommendations

Publication | How AI is Transforming Humanitarian Aid: Insights for Market-Based Professionals

Publication | Novissi Togo: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Deliver Shock-Responsive Social Protection

Ep. 45 | Looking Back on Social Protection in 2024

Join us for the 2024 Year in Review episode of the Social Protection Podcast!

In this year’s special (and final) episode, we delved into pivotal discussions and transformative insights that shaped the evolving landscape of social protection. From the growing recognition of social protection’s role in responding to climate change, to exploring gender-responsive approaches, and rethinking program designs in the face of crises, this episode revisits the most influential ideas and critical debates of the year. 

Reflecting on conversations with eminent thinkers, we reflect on the progress, challenges, and innovative practices that have defined the field of social protection in 2024.

Meet our guest:

• Dr Keetie Roelen, Senior Research Fellow in Poverty and Social Protection at The Open University.

For our Quick Wins segment, we are joined by Patricia Velloso, Knowledge Management Officer at UNICEF, and Marina Brunale, Growth and Engagement Officer at the Global Landscapes Forum, to reflect on the trajectory of the Social Protection Podcast, as well as the year that has passed.

Resources:

Publcation | World Social Protection Report 2024-26: Universal social protection for climate action and a just transition

Publcation | The Untapped Potential of Global Climate Funds for Investing in Social Protection

Publication | World Survey on the Role of Women in Development 2024

Publication | Gender-Responsive Age-Sensitive Social Protection: A conceptual framework

Publication | IDS Bulletin: Reimagining Social Protection

Publication | Thinking afresh: Closing the global funding gap to realise universal social protection

Publication | Anti/Postwork Feminist Politics and a Case for Basic Income

Event Recording | For a just transition in adaptation: The role of social protection in the Global Goal on Adaptation

Event Recording | Safeguarding Human Development: Mobilizing Climate Finance for Social Protection

Referenced Episodes:

Ep. 4 | Bolsa Familia | Flagship Special Episode

Ep. 30 | Impacts of Social Protection

Ep. 36 | Gender-Transformative Social Protection

Emerging Trends in the Indo-Pacific Series Ep. 03 | The Future of Climate Change and Social Protection Responses

Ep. 41 | The Evolution of Universal Basic Income: From Pilots to Policy

Bonus ep. | Partnerships for Social Protection: bridging divides, driving change

Ep. 43 | World Social Protection Report 2024-26

Ep. 44 | Social Registries and Beyond

Ep. 44 | Social Registries and Beyond

Data and information systems are fundamental building blocks of social protection programmes. They all need a process and a mechanism for collecting, storing and processing data. However, developing these registries presents enormous challenges. Especially in finding ways for these to become truly dynamic, so that social protection systems can respond effectively to peoples’ changing circumstances, such as in the face of shocks. This is perhaps one of the greatest hurdles facing the sector.

In this episode, we’ll cut through the terminology and periodic controversy to talk about how these information systems work, and how to make them work better.

 

Meet our guests:

• Rodrigo Assumpção, President of DataPrev (Brazil)
• Valentina Barca, Independent Social Protection Expert

For our Quick Wins segment, we are joined by Gabrielle Smith, Independent consultant and member of the STAAR Facility.

 

Episode resources:

Publication | Implementation Guide – Good Practices For Ensuring Data Protection And Privacy In Social Protection Systems

Publication | Passing the Buck: The Economics of Localizing International Aid

Ep. 43 | World Social Protection Report 2024-26

The World Social Protection Report is the ILO's flagship publication, offering an in-depth look at the state of social protection globally. The 2024-26 edition focuses on universal social protection as a key factor for just transitions and climate action. In this episode, we dive into the latest findings, exploring both the progress made and the gaps that remain. Our conversation covers how countries are working towards expanding social protection to address climate adaptation and mitigation. We'll examine Brazil’s and Gambia’s evolving policy landscape, and their ambitions for building and expanding social protection systems. 

 

Meet our guests: 

• Christina Behrendt, Head of the Social Policy Unit, ILO Universal Social Protection Department 

• Momodou K. Dibba, National Coordinator, National Social Protection Secretariat in the Office of the Vice President, the Gambia 

• Débora Freire, Deputy Secretary for Fiscal Policy, Ministry of Finance, Brazil 

For our Quick Wins segment, we are joined by Naila Kabeer, Professor of Gender and Development at the Department of International Development, LSE. 

 

Episode resources: 

• Publication | World Social Protection Report 2024-26: Universal social protection for climate action and a just transition  

• Publication | World survey on the role of women in development 2024 - summary of key issues that will be covered in the report 

Bonus ep. | Partnerships for Social Protection: bridging divides, driving change

In the dynamic landscape of social protection, partnerships and collaborations serve as vital pillars of strength, innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.

September marks the ninth anniversary of socialprotection.org. This year, we are celebrating partnerships for social protection throughout the month by highlighting the significance of alliances in amplifying social impact and ensuring inclusivity through key partnerships, instruments, and interagency mechanisms such as the Social Protection Inter-Agency Cooperation Board (SPIAC-B), the Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection (USP 2030), the G20, and the socialprotection.org platform itself.

In this bonus episode, we invited representatives from the ILO and the World Bank, who co-chair SPIAC-B and USP 2030, to discuss the importance of partnerships in navigating diverse perspectives and policies within global social protection. They speak candidly about the sometimes heated policy differences and debates within the sector and the importance of collaboration in bridging these divides and driving the progressive expansion of social protection worldwide.

It's a wide-ranging conversation about how far the sector has come and the significant challenges it will need to grapple with in the future.

 

Meet our guests:

• Shahra Razavi, Director of the Universal Social Protection Department, International Labour Organization (ILO)
• Iffath Sharif, Global Director for Social Protection and Jobs, World Bank Group 

Episode Resources:

• Publication | Social Protection in the Developing World
• Publication | Report of the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights 2019

Ep. 42 | Social Protection in Latin America: Stratification, Politics and Influences

In this episode, we delve into the world of social protection with one of its foremost experts, Professor Armando Barrientos, Emeritus Professor of Poverty and Social Justice at the Global Development Institute, University of Manchester.

We discuss his groundbreaking new book, Social Protection in Latin America, and explore the argument that social protection systems or institutions are not just safety nets but also mechanisms of stratification. We also talked about what that means, why it matters, and how it shapes the lives of millions across the region.

Finally, we also examine the crucial role of politics in shaping social protection and debate whether Latin America should aspire to the European model of a welfare state. From the Latin American innovative approaches to their global influence and the future of social protection, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of social justice and public policy.

 

Episode resources:

• Book | Social Protection in Latin America. Causality, Stratification and Outcomes
• Task Force | Global Alliance against Poverty and Hunger
• Publication | The relationship between cash-based interventions and violence: A systematic review and evidence map

Ep. 41 | The Evolution of Universal Basic Income: From Pilots to Policy

Across the world, interest for universal social protection mechanisms has skyrocketed, in particular following the pandemic and its transversal effects on the poor, vulnerable and not so vulnerable populations. Social assistance mechanisms such as child benefits or elderly pensions have already had a history of encompassing the entire group with universal mechanisms in some countries; however, universal basic income (UBI) schemes are still in the stage of theoretical and policy discussion, without having been set up.

In this context, Brazil is an interesting case: in 2004, Brazil adopted a law that establishes a “Renda Básica de Cidadania” (Basic citizenship income). That effort was pushed by its rapporteur, Mr. Eduardo Matarazzo Suplicy, who was a senator at the time and a vigorous UBI advocate to this day. In this podcast episode, we will talk about how the Basic citizenship income came to be, the possible advantages of adopting an UBI, the main challenges and what lessons have been learned with the recent discussions on the theme.

For our Quick Wins segment, we are joined by Jurgen de Wispelaere, discussing his recently launched publication at the International Social Security Review, a Specia Issue called ‘Emergency basic income: Distraction or opportunity’.

Meet our guests:

• Eduardo Suplicy, State Deputy of the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo
• Jurgen De Wispelaere, IPR Policy Fellow, Institute for Policy Research, University of Bath

 

Episode Resources:

• Publication: Special Issue: Themed double issue: Emergency basic income: Distraction or opportunity

Ep. 40 | SDGs, Social Protection and Evidence Building

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global effort across a wide range of areas in which countries are working to achieve the targets set out by the international community. Social Protection can play a role in contributing to most of the SDGs. To ensure objectives are reached, building and using evidence as well as applying the necessary analytical tools are important to discuss.

In this episode we examine if investments in social protection could help accelerate progress towards the SDGs. We talk about the role of research, evaluation, and advocacy in driving change for policies and programmes towards achieving this ambitious agenda.

Meet our guests:

• Tayllor Spadafora, Social Policy Specialist, UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa regional office.
• Michala Assankpon, Regional Evaluation Officer at the WFP regional bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean.

For our Quick Wins segment, we are joined by Laurel Patterson, Director for the SDG Integration at UNDP.

 

Episode Resources:

• Publication | Regional Evaluation of WFP’S contribution to Shock-Responsive Social Protection in Latin America and the Caribbean (2015–2022)
• Publication | WFP Evaluation – Summary of Evidence. Social Protection.  
• Publication | Impact Evaluation Report External Evaluation of the Mchinji Social Cash Transfer Pilot
• Publication | Ghana LEAP 1000 Programme: Endline Evaluation Report
• Programme Profile| A Cash Plus Model for Safe Transitions to a Healthy and Productive Adulthood
• Website | SDG Push