1. UNICEF Social Protection Training Course
Course Summary
Mark Davies
24th July 2009

2. Outline Learning outcomes
Meeting gaps – child sensitive social protection
Considering appropriate social protection to achieve our aims
Towards a comprehensive approach – how far have we got how much further have we to go?

3. Introduction Learning outcomes
Have relevant knowledge understanding and skills to engage in national and international social protection policies, programmes and policy processes
 Consider what is required to include a child sensitive approach to these fora

4. Child sensitive social protection
Why CSSP?
Social protection must be child sensitive – compelling case why it must invest in children
Clear case to intervene early
Child sensitive social protection can break the chains of inter-generational transmission of poverty

5. Child sensitive social protection
Four elements to CSSP
Include the child at all stages of their lifecycle
We know it is critical to support children throughout their lifecycle
Some children are missed out at some key stages in current social protection interventions

6. Child sensitive social protection
Including marginalised and hard to reach children in social protection interventions
Use social protection to reach and respond to marginalisation & exclusion
Ensure existing social protection initiatives look to reach marginalised groups
High negative effects of not considering marginalisation and power in programming
Currently under researched and not adequately considered part of SP approaches and agenda

7. Child sensitive social protection
c) Principles of child sensitive social protection 
Towards a greater understanding of what it child sensitive social protection entails
Linkages and support between child protection, social protection and social policy – opportunities for synergy and clarity
Child protection and social protection combined = an holistic protection approach

8. Child sensitive social protection
d) Indirect targeting
Looking beyond the child - understanding how interventions not targeted on children may impact on them
Conversely don’t assume child-targeted interventions will reach all vulnerable and marginalised children

9. Appropriate social protection
Carefully considering objectives
Look for and understand interaction between poverty, risk and vulnerability and how social protection can respond
Be clear on the objectives – they should drive our approach not the availability of the instrument or available resources
Consider a broad set of objectives - developing human capabilities; promoting social justice; social cohesion; promoting economic activity

10. Appropriate social protection
Linkages and limits of social protection
Objectives of instruments can be multiple and vary according to context, timing, duration of intervention etc.
In making the case and optimising the intervention think carefully about exactly, where, when and why objectives support each other
A clearer view of objectives enables us to consider the linkages and limits of social protection: protection, prevention, promotion, transformation

11. Appropriate social protection
Linkages and limits of social protection
How our social protection objectives relate to and support out child protection objectives – clarifying definitional issues
How SP supports other complimentary activities in helping us to achieve our wider development goals
Ensure approaches outside of SP are not overlooked or that complimentary activities are not missed

12. Appropriate social protection
How and where can linkages be made
In the design of programmes and pilots
In social protection policies and frameworks and wider poverty reduction or growth strategies

13. Appropriate social protection
Linkages, boundaries, definitions and appropriateness of interventions depends on your own context:
Poverty
Levels of:
Cultural factors
Existing programmes
Power relationships
Vulnerability
Role of other stakeholders
Resources
National priorities
Available evidence
Exclusion
Political economy
Gender
HIV
Etc…
Inequality
Etc…
Etc…
Etc…

14. Towards a comprehensive approach
How far have we got – how much further have we to go?
Comprehensive approach should address poverty and risk but be centred around vulnerability and aim for transformation
Enables us to take a forward look whilst considering the past – effects and impacts
Provides us with the means to bridge social and economic objectives 
What are issues we have identified that we need to consider in moving towards a comprehensive approach?

15. Frameworks and approaches
How others approach social protection
We have knowledge of agency approaches through frameworks
Helps us to a) understand where others are coming from b) identify gaps and opportunities in relation to child sensitive social protection
Create space for dialogue, structure to articulate and opportunities to influence child sensitive social protection

16. That politics matters
That there can be a political optimal programme design
Is that a second best or just the reality we work in
What is appropriate in this context, what is achievable, how do we manage this
What is our role in this – challenge function; how not to be coerced

17. Role of RBA RBA central to social protection agenda:
RBA can offer normative standards and principles analytical tools and operational guidelines
Relevant in both justifying social protection measures and informing their design, implementation and evaluation
Two-way interaction -in addition to a RBA making a contribution to SP, social protection policies and programmes can support the realisation of human rights

18. Role of RBA
That the role and use of the RBA needs to be considered not
diluted:
Space for reflection in UNICEF on the role of rights within social protection
Added value of other value approaches (e.g wellbeing) could be explored
What demands can we place, when, where, how and with who
Over what time frame are they to be realised
Consideration, therefore, is on approach to rights not their objective

19. A way forward
UNICEF over the last year – have explored in more detail what a comprehensive child sensitive approach could entail
 Not a blueprint but a good basis to explore our approach in other contexts
High level of buy in at all levels
Good practical experience and knowledge being developed

20. A way forward What further opportunities are there?
What gaps can UNICEF fill ?
Comparative advantage do UNICEF have?

21. Day
Topic
Issue
Day 7
Comprehensive agenda –marginalisation exclusion
UNICEF has a comparative advantage in ensuring issues of marginalisation and power are applied to social protection programming
Day 6
Politics
Not clear what position UNICEF plays in political discourse. Challenge function not clear.
Are UNICEF working with the right players?
Wellbeing
Does wellbeing provide a way in or balance for RBA?
Day 4
Design and implementation
Do we have a clearer view on the role of UNICEF on SP design and implementation issues?
How, where, when and why?
Day 3
Can UNICEF consider rights of child whatever programme UNICEF are engaged in. e.g. in a conditional programme – ensure child sensitive conditionality.
Day 2
Frameworks
What would UNCIEF included in a comprehensive framework?
All
Rights
How can UNICEF use rights in the context of SP
Learning beyond the course
How do we create space, opportunities and what resources do we require? Includes:
from ourselves; from UNICEF HQ; from regional advisers/offices; others; advocacy packs; policy clarity

22. Ways forward
What resources – spaces are there in UNICEF to support this:
 Evolving approach through dialogue in UNICEF NY, regional offices and country offices
What resources do you require (e.g. advocacy briefs, contact)
What evidence and research is required and what type – policy orientated? M&E ?

23. Realising our goals
You have a critical remit in us all achieving our SP goals – you have the remit, the presence and a broader more comprehensive agenda
What should we keep in mind?
Remain open minded:
Be prepared to challenge our views on SP
SP is rapidly changing, a moving conceptual target
New evidence in different contexts arising
Political acceptability/leverage of child sensitive basic needs

24. Realising our goals Remain inclusive of other ideas/approaches:
Keep considering you objectives in relation to this
Keep examining how SP supports other approaches to achieve our objectives
Remain committed to the agenda over the long-term and visionary
Be bold
Be prepared to challenge
Be confident when we think we are right