Development Cooperation Seminar on Social Protection, November 2010
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On 5 November 2010, the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) hosted a Development Cooperation Seminar (DCS) on the theme of “Social Protection: Towards Universal Coverage in Thailand.”
The seminar brought together government officials, international development agencies, civil society groups, academics and other relevant experts to review the current social protection system in Thailand within the context of the international debate on the Social Protection Floor (SPF). The seminar delivered on the following aspects:
- Raised awareness among stakeholders, including media, and develop a common view on the issue.
- Policy recommendations on specific aspects in the design and progressive implementation of universal coverage, including policy objectives, coherence and consistency with other development goals, financial sustainability and improving accessibility and coverage of social services to targeted groups.
To know more about the Seminar (click on +)
- What is a Development Cooperation Seminar?
The Development Cooperation Seminar (DCS), initiated by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in early 2009 and usually hosted by Royal Thai Government and the UN System, is a forum for dialogue between different stakeholders on priority/emerging development issues in Thailand. It brings together development partners from the Thai Government, the UN system, civil societies and international partners to generate recommendations on policy making and implementation. Previous DCSs conducted discussed the following issues:
1. Economic Shocks and the Vulnerable in Thailand
2. Domestic Violence Act: Addressing Gender-Based Violence from Policy to Practice
3. Climate Change: “Thai Voices are Heard in Copenhagen”
4. Migration for Development: Towards a Comprehensive Migration Policy
All four events delivered concrete policy recommendations emerged from the discussion among stakeholders. These recommendations are being considered by the government and its partners for implementation.
- Development Cooperation Seminar on Social Protection
Given the opportunity the DCS offers to call for inter-ministerial participation and contributions from other concerned sectors of the society at a decision-making level, it was decided to hold a DCS to trigger a national dialogue on the progressive implementation of universal social protection in Thailand.
At international level, recognizing the strategic importance and necessity of ensuring universal social protection, the Chief Executive Board (CEB) adopted in April 2009 the Global initiative for a Universal Social Protection Floor (SPF-I). This initiative is part of a set of multilateral actions to address the recent crisis, deploying all UN resources and capacities in support of effective national responses.
At national level, through the preparation of the 11th National Economic and Social Development Plan development, the national plan on universal social welfare by 2017 and other policies, The Royal Thai Government has acknowledged the fragmentation of the existing social protection schemes and is considering the expansion of social welfare systems as a key tool to current challenges faced, notably the coverage of the informal economy and the reduction of inequalities.
In the framework of the preparation of the next Partnership Framework with Thailand (UNPAF), the enhancement of Thailand’s capacity in establishing the welfare society is being considered as key priority. On the UN side, after a first presentation of the SPF-I concept in September 2009 by ILO, exchanges within UNCT lead to the creation of a UN SPF Joint team. The team’s main objective is to promote a holistic and coherent vision of national social protection systems to contribute to close coverage gaps and reduce inequalities.
Against the above backdrops, this fifth DCS on 5 Nov. brought together high-level government officials, international organizations, academia, employers and civil society to review the current social protection system in the Thailand within the context of the international debate on universal basic social protection. The seminar gave an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements in the country and review over the existing gaps and challenges to explore how Thailand can move towards the development of a coherent social protection system to make basic coverage a reality for all.
Material from the Seminar
- Concept note Click here
- Agenda Click here
- Opening Statement by Ms. Gwi-Yeop Son, UN Resident Coordinator in Thailand Click here
- Presentation by Valerie Schmitt, ILO, Why progressively tending towards universal social protection matters: an international perspective Click here
- Presentation by Michael Samson, EPRI, Social Protection: Towards universal coverage - International perspective on affordability, feasibility, and developmental impact of social protection. Click here
- Recommendations Click here
- Final report Click here