MASTERCLASS ON SOCIAL PROTECTION

Through a series of video lessons, the Masterclass on Social Protection offers to explore the key dimensions of social protection systems ranging from defining social protection as a cornerstone for sustainable and inclusive societies to examining international standards, diverse forms of protection, institutional landscapes, the composition of schemes and a variety of benefits all the way to the strategies extending coverage, the way to finance them and envision future perspectives. This learning journey starts by navigating the intricacies of social protection systems’ legal and econometric aspects, pondering whether lawyers or economists are the architects of these systems. Delving into international social security standards, the flexibility and universality they offer is then discovered. This course examines as well the institutional landscape, as unravelling social security systems' composition and efficiency factors. The lesson on schemes and benefits underscores the diverse nature of social protection, from contributory to non-contributory and defined benefit versus defined contribution schemes. The question of extending coverage prompts reflection on barriers, uneven protection, and the ILO's two-dimensional strategy. Targeting versus universal protection invites a discussion on the beneficiaries of social security, spotlighting the efficiency of universal schemes. The financial aspect is equally explored, considering social protection as an investment and assessing financing options, unveiling the myth that only prosperous nations can afford universal systems. Finally, participants peer into the future while examining current trends, persistent challenges, and the transformative role of digitalization and new technologies in shaping the future of social protection. OBJECTIVES • Explore the multitude of definitions of social protection while considering legal and econometric aspects in building and reinforcing social protection systems; • Discover how the international social security standards provide for a flexible yet universal framework to unlock the full potential of social protection strategies globally; • Identify the essential components of comprehensive social protection systems and understand the roles of key decision-makers within institutional landscapes; • Explore the systemic approach to social protection and its functional structure, considering the dynamic nature of individuals’ life journeys; • Explore a multitude of social protection schemes and benefits, their coverage, predictability and overall sustainability; • Reflect on the debate between targeted versus universal social protection, considering efficiency, strategies for extension of coverage and benefits’ design; • Investigate the barriers to extending social protection coverage, exploring solutions to address significant gaps and ensure adequate protection for all; • Understand why social protection is considered a necessary investment to reduce poverty and inequality while exploring the existing options for financing social protection, including for countries with different levels of development; • Explore the current policy debates and trends in social protection, and the transformative potential of digitalization and new technologies. CONTENT • Building social protection systems • International social security standards and principles • Institutional landscape for social protection systems • Functional structure of social protection • Schemes and benefits • Targeting vs universal protection • Extending social protection coverage • Financing social protection • Future of social protection NUMBER OF HOURS: 1.5 hours ITCILO training offer in social protection - https://www.itcilo.org/courses?field_topics[140]=140