a role for social policy in resilience building in sids

A Role for Social A Role for Social Policy in Resilience Policy in Resilience Building in SIDS Building in SIDS

Presented by Cletus I. SpringerPresented by Cletus I. SpringerChief Caribbean DivisionChief Caribbean Division

OAS Department for Sustainable Development OAS Department for Sustainable Development at Conference on Economic Resilienceat Conference on Economic Resilience

Malta, April 23-25, 2007Malta, April 23-25, 2007

2Cletus I. Springer OAS - Department of Sustainable Development

The plea for a new The plea for a new paradigm paradigm

“…“…the GDP includes air pollution, cigarette advertising, the GDP includes air pollution, cigarette advertising, the ambulances cleaning our streets of accidents, the the ambulances cleaning our streets of accidents, the special locks in our doors and the prisons for those who special locks in our doors and the prisons for those who break them. It includes the destruction of pinewoods break them. It includes the destruction of pinewoods and the death of Lake Superior. It rises with the and the death of Lake Superior. It rises with the production of missiles and nuclear heads…and if the production of missiles and nuclear heads…and if the GDP includes all this, there is more that is not GDP includes all this, there is more that is not comprised (such as) the heath of our families, the comprised (such as) the heath of our families, the quality of our education or the enjoyment of games. It is quality of our education or the enjoyment of games. It is indifferent to the indecency of our factories and the indifferent to the indecency of our factories and the safety of our streets…it does not measure our ingenuity safety of our streets…it does not measure our ingenuity or our courage, our wisdom or our understanding . To or our courage, our wisdom or our understanding . To sum up it measures everything except what makes life sum up it measures everything except what makes life worth living…”worth living…”Robert KennedyRobert Kennedy


Abstract Abstract This presentation proposes an integrated policy framework This presentation proposes an integrated policy framework that could support the attainment of sustained that could support the attainment of sustained Human/Social Development in small states. It is set upon a Human/Social Development in small states. It is set upon a foundation of evolving theories on economic vulnerability, foundation of evolving theories on economic vulnerability, economic resilience and social vulnerability in small states. economic resilience and social vulnerability in small states. It accepts that small states are inherently vulnerable, It accepts that small states are inherently vulnerable, economically, socially and environmentally; it contends that economically, socially and environmentally; it contends that the interplay between these various types of vulnerability the interplay between these various types of vulnerability demands an integrated policy and strategic response, that demands an integrated policy and strategic response, that seeks to build resilience in all three spheres, seeks to build resilience in all three spheres, simultaneously. The presentation will explore some of the simultaneously. The presentation will explore some of the main challenges to creating resilient economies, societies main challenges to creating resilient economies, societies and environments through effective social policy. It and environments through effective social policy. It concludes with an examination of key imperatives for the concludes with an examination of key imperatives for the attainment of the objectives of any Integrated Social or attainment of the objectives of any Integrated Social or Human Development Policy in small states. In this regard, Human Development Policy in small states. In this regard, it will focus on the requirements for the establishment of it will focus on the requirements for the establishment of an Integrated Development Planning (IDP) framework in an Integrated Development Planning (IDP) framework in small states.small states.


Objectives of Objectives of presentation presentation

Build consensus on theoretical Build consensus on theoretical underpinnings of vulnerability and underpinnings of vulnerability and resilience buildingresilience building

Examine linkages between economic, Examine linkages between economic, social and environmental vulnerability social and environmental vulnerability

outline elements of an integrated outline elements of an integrated social/human development policy social/human development policy

Examine challenges to an integrated Examine challenges to an integrated policy landscape policy landscape


Theoretical Theoretical underpinnings underpinnings

Vulnerability – propensity of a social, Vulnerability – propensity of a social, economic and environmental system to economic and environmental system to suffer harm from exposure to internal suffer harm from exposure to internal and external stresses and shocks;and external stresses and shocks;

Economic vulnerability refers to risks Economic vulnerability refers to risks faced from exogenous shocks to faced from exogenous shocks to systems of production, distribution and systems of production, distribution and consumption;consumption;

Environmental Vulnerability refers to Environmental Vulnerability refers to risk of damage to natural eco-systems risk of damage to natural eco-systems


Theoretical Constructs Theoretical Constructs

Social vulnerability reflects “…the Social vulnerability reflects “…the degree to which societies or socio-degree to which societies or socio-economic groups are affected by economic groups are affected by stresses and hazards, whether stresses and hazards, whether brought about by external forces or brought about by external forces or intrinsic factors – internal and intrinsic factors – internal and external – that negatively impact the external – that negatively impact the social cohesion of a country” (UNDP social cohesion of a country” (UNDP 2000). 2000).


Theoretical Constructs Theoretical Constructs

Links between social, economic and Links between social, economic and environmental system render SIDS more environmental system render SIDS more vulnerablevulnerable

Inherent economic vulnerability has Inherent economic vulnerability has impeded economic growth and impeded economic growth and development development

Failure to anticipate shocks and their Failure to anticipate shocks and their knock-on effects can lead to only partial knock-on effects can lead to only partial solutions and a deepening of solutions and a deepening of vulnerability. vulnerability.


LinkagesLinkages

Society

Environment

Economy


Features of Economic Features of Economic Vulnerability in SIDSVulnerability in SIDS

Small domestic marketsSmall domestic markets High dependence on exportsHigh dependence on exports Limited resource endowmentsLimited resource endowments Limited diversification opportunitiesLimited diversification opportunities Dependence on a narrow range of productsDependence on a narrow range of products Inability to influence international prices Inability to influence international prices High per unit transport costsHigh per unit transport costs Peripherality Peripherality Trade vulnerability Trade vulnerability High dependence on preferential trading High dependence on preferential trading

preferences preferences


Features of Social Features of Social Vulnerability in SIDSVulnerability in SIDS

ECONOMY–RELATED IMPACTS: ECONOMY–RELATED IMPACTS: Impacts of globalisation Impacts of globalisation High rates of unemployment/under-High rates of unemployment/under-

employmentemployment High dependency ratiosHigh dependency ratios High poverty ratesHigh poverty rates Poor labour market flexibility;Poor labour market flexibility; Susceptibility to “brain drain”Susceptibility to “brain drain” Cultural penetration. Cultural penetration.


Features of social Features of social vulnerability cont’dvulnerability cont’d

SERVICE PROVISION ISSUES:SERVICE PROVISION ISSUES: dispersed rural settlements with implications for cost of dispersed rural settlements with implications for cost of

service provision service provision Small populations but high population densities in Small populations but high population densities in

urban/peri-urban/ coastal/valley areas with implications urban/peri-urban/ coastal/valley areas with implications for health and sanitationfor health and sanitation

Marginalisation of women, children and the elderlyMarginalisation of women, children and the elderly Undeveloped social sectors Undeveloped social sectors High rates of internal (rural to urban migration) and High rates of internal (rural to urban migration) and

international migrationinternational migration High levels of crime/drug addictionHigh levels of crime/drug addiction


Features of social Features of social vulnerability cont’dvulnerability cont’d

HEALTH-RELATED ISSUES:HEALTH-RELATED ISSUES: Susceptibility to infectious diseasesSusceptibility to infectious diseases High unit costs of health, administrative High unit costs of health, administrative

education, judicial services education, judicial services Thinness of insurance marketThinness of insurance market High transportation costs (inter and intra High transportation costs (inter and intra

island)island) Aging populations with implications for Aging populations with implications for

viability of social safety netsviability of social safety nets Low levels of educational achievement/high Low levels of educational achievement/high

dropout rates and illiteracy.dropout rates and illiteracy.


Features of Social Features of Social vulnerability cont’dvulnerability cont’d

FOOD SECURITY ISSUES:FOOD SECURITY ISSUES: Increased consumption rates due to growing Increased consumption rates due to growing

populations;populations; Insecure food situation/high food import bill Insecure food situation/high food import bill

with negative dietary/health implications with negative dietary/health implications Poor access to land/ water links to food Poor access to land/ water links to food

security and sanitationsecurity and sanitation Systems and transmission of valuesSystems and transmission of values Vulnerability to man-made and natural Vulnerability to man-made and natural

disastersdisasters


Features of social Features of social vulnerability vulnerability

POLICY AND INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES:POLICY AND INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES: Underdeveloped public and private sectors Underdeveloped public and private sectors Low institutional capacity due limited HR Low institutional capacity due limited HR

capacity; capacity; Weak development planning capacity Weak development planning capacity Lack of integration between economic, social Lack of integration between economic, social

and environmental aspects of planning and environmental aspects of planning Lack of integration between the national and Lack of integration between the national and

regional aspects of planning regional aspects of planning Lack of participation in the planning and Lack of participation in the planning and

decision-making processdecision-making process Lack of effective decision-support systemsLack of effective decision-support systems


Features of Environmental Features of Environmental Vulnerability Vulnerability

Increasing Water stressIncreasing Water stress Fragile ecosystemsFragile ecosystems Susceptibility to pollution effects Susceptibility to pollution effects Extreme vulnerability to natural disasters Extreme vulnerability to natural disasters

including:including: Climate change and climate vulnerabilityClimate change and climate vulnerability Increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes, storms Increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes, storms Floods and droughtsFloods and droughts Sea level rise Sea level rise Landslides Landslides Land and soil degradation Land and soil degradation Coastal erosion Coastal erosion


Notion of ResilienceNotion of Resilience

Originally: used in narrow context to Originally: used in narrow context to mean the ability/capacity of a country to mean the ability/capacity of a country to recover from external shocks and recover from external shocks and disturbance;disturbance;

Now: goes beyond mere survival and Now: goes beyond mere survival and envisages the capacity of a country to (a) envisages the capacity of a country to (a) return at least to the status quo;return at least to the status quo;

(b) go beyond status quo to address ability (b) go beyond status quo to address ability to “thrive”. to “thrive”.


The Role of Social Policy The Role of Social Policy

Social policy is state intervention that:Social policy is state intervention that: directly affects social welfare, social institutions directly affects social welfare, social institutions

and social relations and social relations Involves overarching concerns with redistribution, Involves overarching concerns with redistribution,

production, reproduction and protectionproduction, reproduction and protection Works in tandem with economic (and environmental Works in tandem with economic (and environmental

policy)policy) Establishes and enforces standards and regulations Establishes and enforces standards and regulations

that shape the role of non-state actors and markets that shape the role of non-state actors and markets in social provisioning in social provisioning

UN Research Institute for Social development - Policy Brief UN Research Institute for Social development - Policy Brief #5#5


The Tasks of Social The Tasks of Social Policy Policy

Social policy concerned with:Social policy concerned with: Redistributive effects of economic Redistributive effects of economic

policy policy Protecting the vulnerable from the Protecting the vulnerable from the

vagaries of the market vagaries of the market Enhancing the productive potential of Enhancing the productive potential of

the members of the society the members of the society Reconciling the burden of reproduction Reconciling the burden of reproduction Sharing the burden of reproduction Sharing the burden of reproduction


The Case for an Integrated The Case for an Integrated Approach Approach

Social policy goals are naturally Social policy goals are naturally synergistic and complementary synergistic and complementary

The pursuit of one social policy goal to the The pursuit of one social policy goal to the exclusion of others can impede the exclusion of others can impede the attainment of the chosen goalattainment of the chosen goal

Distributive functions cannot be pursued Distributive functions cannot be pursued without a focus on productive functions without a focus on productive functions and vice versaand vice versa

A focus on productivist approach alone A focus on productivist approach alone will breed disunity. will breed disunity.


Social Policy Functions Social Policy Functions Investment in human capital (education, health, Investment in human capital (education, health,

housing etc)- prerequisite for economic growth and housing etc)- prerequisite for economic growth and resilienceresilience

Social compensation ( Social compensation ( stablestable, , predictablepredictable, social , social protection networks)protection networks)

Influences the levels and structures of demand as Influences the levels and structures of demand as well as supplywell as supply

Social cohesion (“…Social cohesion (“…creation of an integrated society creation of an integrated society in which the population behaves according to socially in which the population behaves according to socially accepted norms and patterns and an adjustment is accepted norms and patterns and an adjustment is created between cultural goals, the structure to created between cultural goals, the structure to attain them and the acquisition of the necessary attain them and the acquisition of the necessary skills to take advantage of these opportunitiesskills to take advantage of these opportunities.” .” ECLAC, 1997:III.73ECLAC, 1997:III.73


Social Policy Imperatives Social Policy Imperatives

Effective social policies are those that are:Effective social policies are those that are: Arrived at with full participation of major Arrived at with full participation of major

actorsactors Are fully ventilated Are fully ventilated Reinforced in Constitutions, Social Charters, Reinforced in Constitutions, Social Charters,

laws and other written policy statementslaws and other written policy statements Kept under constant reviewKept under constant review In consonance with local value systems, In consonance with local value systems,

cultures structures and institutions cultures structures and institutions Aligned with institutional capacity Aligned with institutional capacity


Integrated Development Integrated Development Policy ImperativesPolicy Imperatives

Strengthening development policy Strengthening development policy analysis, formulation and analysis, formulation and implementation arrangements across implementation arrangements across and within sectorsand within sectors

Develop institutional and technical Develop institutional and technical capacity to formulate and implement capacity to formulate and implement integrated development policyintegrated development policy

Strengthening channels for continuous Strengthening channels for continuous participation in policy and planning participation in policy and planning processesprocesses


Imperatives for policy Imperatives for policy ImplementationImplementation

Establish IDP arrangements that:Establish IDP arrangements that: Reflect a common set of guiding Reflect a common set of guiding

principles ;principles ; Allow for incorporation of physical Allow for incorporation of physical

and/or social impacts of economic and/or social impacts of economic activities or for environmental activities or for environmental protection measures;protection measures;

Routinely incorporate environmental, Routinely incorporate environmental, social, physical and spatial social, physical and spatial consequences of planning consequences of planning


Imperatives for Policy Imperatives for Policy Implementation Implementation

Develop the capacity of key national Develop the capacity of key national and regional institutions;and regional institutions;

Increase the supply, use and retention Increase the supply, use and retention of trained human resources;of trained human resources;

Institutionalize dynamic planning and Institutionalize dynamic planning and decision-making frameworks based on decision-making frameworks based on participatory processes;participatory processes;

More participation by CSOs in dev. More participation by CSOs in dev. processprocess


Imperatives for Policy Imperatives for Policy Implementation Implementation

Generate sustained and comprehensive Generate sustained and comprehensive labour market information to better labour market information to better guide interventions in the labour market;guide interventions in the labour market;

Reform education systems to ensure Reform education systems to ensure better fit between trained HR and better fit between trained HR and national/regional development goalsnational/regional development goals

Enhance labour market flexibility to Enhance labour market flexibility to meet productivity/competitiveness meet productivity/competitiveness targetstargets


Social Policy Imperatives Social Policy Imperatives

Develop national and sub-regional policy Develop national and sub-regional policy frameworks for poverty eradication using frameworks for poverty eradication using the sustainable livelihood approach;the sustainable livelihood approach;

Provide social safety nets for the poor;Provide social safety nets for the poor; Undertake macro-economic and social Undertake macro-economic and social

analyses of social development analyses of social development programmes;programmes;

Enhance human and physical Enhance human and physical infrastructure infrastructure


Social Policy ImperativesSocial Policy Imperatives

Promote conflict resolution at h/hold, Promote conflict resolution at h/hold, and community and national leveland community and national level

Empower marginalised groupsEmpower marginalised groups Ensure the livelihoods and income Ensure the livelihoods and income

security of older personssecurity of older persons Build leadership capacity at community Build leadership capacity at community

levellevel Better management of the expectations Better management of the expectations

of the population of the population


The Monitoring The Monitoring Challenge Challenge

“…“…it is important to monitor changes along it is important to monitor changes along time in a number of life qualities, both at time in a number of life qualities, both at the level of the population as a whole and the level of the population as a whole and for significant sub-groups, since such for significant sub-groups, since such information when combined with other information when combined with other data may generate new knowledge about data may generate new knowledge about how to increase the quality of life through how to increase the quality of life through more effective social policies…”more effective social policies…”

Andrews, F.M 1989 – The Evolution of a Andrews, F.M 1989 – The Evolution of a MovementMovement


The Monitoring The Monitoring ChallengeChallenge

Key challenge:Key challenge: Developing a social indicators systemDeveloping a social indicators system Still no global consensus on a Still no global consensus on a

conceptual model or statistical image of conceptual model or statistical image of the societythe society

Absence of a common, precise Absence of a common, precise measurement unit for social phenomena measurement unit for social phenomena such as education, households, health such as education, households, health or crimeor crime



Some progress since the mid-1990sSome progress since the mid-1990s Declaration on Statistics for Social Declaration on Statistics for Social

Progress:Progress: Monitoring the attainment of outcomes of Monitoring the attainment of outcomes of

social policies and programmes (e.g changes social policies and programmes (e.g changes in unemployment levels, income distribution in unemployment levels, income distribution and population’s health;and population’s health;

Identifying those factors that seem to be Identifying those factors that seem to be linked to specific outcomes (desirable or linked to specific outcomes (desirable or undesirable) and that are a target for undesirable) and that are a target for intervention via social programmes or intervention via social programmes or policies. policies.



Statistics Commission of UNECOSOCStatistics Commission of UNECOSOC Five major policy themesFive major policy themes

Population and development (health, material Population and development (health, material welfare, education);welfare, education);

Poverty eradication (income and expenditures, Poverty eradication (income and expenditures, economic resources);economic resources);

Expansion of productive employment and un-Expansion of productive employment and un-employment reduction (labour, labour environment, employment reduction (labour, labour environment, education and training);education and training);

Social Integration (Housing, work, crime and Social Integration (Housing, work, crime and criminal justicecriminal justice

Condition of men and women (health care, work, Condition of men and women (health care, work, income). income).



The Minimum National Social data Set (MNSDS) – 15 The Minimum National Social data Set (MNSDS) – 15 indicators indicators

Population estimates by age, sex and ethnic groupPopulation estimates by age, sex and ethnic group Life expectancy at birth by sexLife expectancy at birth by sex Infant mortality by sexInfant mortality by sex Child mortality by sexChild mortality by sex Maternal mortality Maternal mortality Percentage of infants weighing less that 2500 grams at Percentage of infants weighing less that 2500 grams at

birthbirth Average number of years of schooling completed by Average number of years of schooling completed by

sex and income category sex and income category GDP per capitaGDP per capita Household income per capita (level and distribution)Household income per capita (level and distribution)



MNSDS Cont’dMNSDS Cont’d Monetary value of the food basket required Monetary value of the food basket required

for minimum nutritional requirements;for minimum nutritional requirements; Unemployment rate by sexUnemployment rate by sex Employment – population ratio by sex and Employment – population ratio by sex and

where appropriate by formal and informal where appropriate by formal and informal sectorsector

Access to safe waterAccess to safe water Access to sanitation Access to sanitation Number of people per room, excluding Number of people per room, excluding

kitchen and bathroomkitchen and bathroom



The Millennium Development Goals – 48 The Millennium Development Goals – 48 indicators relating to 8 goals:indicators relating to 8 goals: Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty Achieve universal primary education Achieve universal primary education Promote gender equality and empower womenPromote gender equality and empower women Reduce child mortality Reduce child mortality Improve maternal healthImprove maternal health Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other Diseases Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other Diseases Ensure environmental sustainability Ensure environmental sustainability Develop a global partnership for development Develop a global partnership for development



The Human Development Index The Human Development Index Threshold 21 Threshold 21 Common Welfare Indicators Common Welfare Indicators

Questionnaire (CWIQ)Questionnaire (CWIQ) Survey of Living Conditions (SLC)Survey of Living Conditions (SLC)



Social indicators must be:Social indicators must be: simple in their construction simple in their construction Relevant to the national/regional contextRelevant to the national/regional context permit accurate measurement of permit accurate measurement of

progress progress towards the attainment of social towards the attainment of social

(development) policy (development) policy Enable the knock-on effects of economic, Enable the knock-on effects of economic,

social and environmental policy to be social and environmental policy to be properly assessedproperly assessed


THE ENDTHE END

THANK YOU!THANK YOU! MERCI BEAUCOUP!MERCI BEAUCOUP! MUCHAS GRACIAS!MUCHAS GRACIAS!

a role for social policy in resilience building in sids

Documents

springer oas department

shockseconomic vulnerability

effective social policy

integrated policy framework

small states

various types of vulnerability

economic resiliencemalta

natural ecosystems cletus