GCSPF e-Newsletter # 75 – August / September 2022

The GCSPF working group on a new international financing mechanism for social protection invites you to an exchange on how to widen the support for a global fund for social protection in the global south.
The zoom meeting will be held on Wednesday September 14th, 2022 from 12 to 1:30 pm UTC. Local times here
The working group would like to learn from the GCSPF members and their partners and networks how we can address the concerns raised in low- and middle income countries. Concept note Registration

The Government of Jordan's Public Sector Modernization Committee announced its plans restructuring several ministries, including the abolishment of the Ministry of Labor (MoL), transferring its functions and roles to a number of ministries. Several civil society organizations published a public statement to express that abolishing the MoL is contrary to the approach of social dialogue and partnership between workers and employers with the government. It furthermore reflects a change in economic policy directions and options towards marginalizing and weakening the social protection system.
A letter, signed by 56 Jordanian civil society organizations, was sent to the Prime Minister, calling to reject the recommendation to abolish the MoL and instead strengthen the role of the MoL within the recognized frameworks, standards, and experiences of the international community, to remain at the center of the broader economic and social decision circles. Read more

By Barry Herman
The United Nations developed over twenty years ago an effective approach to intergovernmental and multistakeholder discussions about economic and financial policies of Member States, international institutions and other stakeholders in the financing of development. In light of the serious challenges to global economic cooperation for development at the present time, this paper argues for taking up this approach again in order to work toward consensus around a set of policy measures that could be politically endorsed at an appropriately scheduled fourth international intergovernmental conference on Financing for Development. Read more

The Conference Our Future is Public will gather social movements and civil society organisations from all over the world in Santiago, Chile for a 4-day (29 November - 2 December 2022) Conference aiming at developing strategies and narratives to strengthen public services for the realization of economic, social and cultural rights and tackle the effects of climate change. The first two days will be devoted to sectoral meetings on health, education, economic justice and social protection, energy, food systems and agriculture, care, housing, transportation, waste and water; while the final two days will bring together all movements and organisations participating in the conference for a collective discussion on cross-cutting themes including the climate emergency, gender equality, economic and tax justice, and democratic ownership.
The Conference will be hybrid (online and in-person) event, with open public events inviting both international and local participants.
Pre-registration is open here. Read more

Trade unions have called for social protection coverage to be extended to all workers, including those in the informal economy, in order to build resilience and mitigate the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Participants at the Fifth meeting of the “Social Protection, Freedom and Justice for Workers Network,” held virtually on 5 July 2022, stressed the importance of achieving universal social protection in line with the priorities set out in the ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work, the ILO Global Call to Action for a Human-Centred Recovery, the Resolution and conclusions concerning the second recurrent discussion on social protection adopted by the International Labour Conference in June (2021), as well as in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They also discussed trade union advocacy strategies to advance social protection at the international, regional and national levels. Read more

The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation (Sweden) promotes women’s rights in over 20 conflict-affected countries in the MENA region, sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and the South Caucasus. We do so by supporting 140 local partner organisations across the world.
Their four focus issues are: Gender-based violence, Equal participation, Women, peace and security and Economic empowerment.
Their long-term vision: A world of sustainable peace based on democracy and gender equality, where conflicts are solved without violence. A world in which human rights are respected and everyone can feel safe and secure. A world in which women have influence over decision-making and participate fully and effectively in society’s development.
Contact information: Monica Erwér, Advisor Women’s Economic Empowerment monica.erwer@kvinnatillkvinna.se
Further information can be found here and at Facebook: kvinnatkvinnafoundation/

Established on 16 February 2012, Social Protection Civil Society Network (SPCSN) has been active in raising the voice of right holders, promoting interfaces among right holders, experts and duty bearers, making duty bearers more accountable on various social protection issues.
Their objectives are: to conduct research on the social protection system, to lobby with and support the government agencies on their plans and policies, to ensure collective dialogues to promote its’ issues, to campaign and lobby for transparency and accountability of the plans and policies, and to ensure social awareness, skill development, and dissemination in local units on social protection programs.
The strengths of GCAP are: Strong political leadership from the Global South, A focus on the structural aspects of inequalities, Proven ability to mobilise millions of people in support of rights-based advocacy, A solid grassroots foundation, consisting of thousands of small & mid-sized civil society organisations and, A real bottom-up process led by marginalized groups and women’s organisations.
Contact information: Saroj Acharya, Program Focal Point - sarozach@gmail.com
Further information can be found here.