Cooperación en protección social: intercambiando experiencias, expandiendo oportunidades
In recent years, social protection has become a key element in the
fight against poverty, inequality and social exclusion in the
region, and a priority in countries’ social development agendas.
Thus the interest of OAS member States to learn from the experiences
of their peers and share solutions and best practices in this field
of action through the
Inter-American Social Protection Network (IASPN) coordinated by
the Department of Economic and Social Development of the OAS-SEDI.
The IASPN cooperation model is based on the concept of
partnership for development of the OAS, which is an inclusive
approach that assumes that all member States - regardless of their
development level - have experiences and knowledge to exchange. It
also responds to country demands, adapting every experience and
solution to the priorities and context of each country.
Since its establishment in 2009 the IASPN has promoted cooperation
in the area of social protection between the Ministries of Social
Development and other government agencies from member States, with
the financial support of the US Department of State and counterpart
funding from host countries of the various activities. Other actors
have also been involved in this process, including subregional
cooperation mechanisms, other international agencies and
non-governmental actors that have a social protection agenda.
Working in a network environment enhanced by its
virtual platform
enables a multi-directional flow of knowledge among members and the
integration of an inter-sectoral perspective through the involvement
a wide range of national and international actors in the field of
social protection; thus building a community of practice that goes
beyond the sum of its parts. Moreover, the virtual discussions and
exchanges that take place before IASPN workshops facilitate a more
efficient use of time and resources during face-to-face exchanges.
In September 2013, two IASPN workshops were held following this
cooperation model (see below for more information).
Workshop on Multidimensional Poverty Indexes. Good Practices and
Lessons Learned from Latin America and Europe.
Colombia, 18-19 of September, 2013.
Responding to the demand made by various countries to deepen
discussions and share progress in Multidimensional Poverty Indexes
(MPI), the IASPN and the Government of Colombia organized this
workshop with support from Eurosocial II and ECLAC. A total of 13
countries from Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe participated
in working sessions where the poverty measurement tools used in
different countries were presented, identifying the sources of
information used and possible dimensions and variables to include in
MPIs. The MPIs from Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay were presented in
detail, showcasing the wide range of perspectives and solutions in
the region, both in terms of theory and policy.
"It was a very important forum to learn from other
experiences and receive feedback, evidencing future challenges
and tasks to improve the MPIPMI that is already being
implemented in Colombia". Representative of the National
Planning Department of Colombia.
___________________
"A particularly valuable aspect involved the opportunity to
exchange experiences, recommendations and comments. My sincere
appreciation to the Inter-American Social Protection Network".
Representative of the National Council for Social Development
Policy Evaluation from Mexico.
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The workshop facilitated the exchange of experiences, best practices
and knowledge on social protection by member States through an
innovative methodology - developed by the IASPN and the Government
of Colombia in the cooperation workshop held in Santa Marta in 2012
- in which 15 social protection experiences were presented (supply)
on topics such as Conditional Cash Transfer Programs (PTC),
targeting systems, and graduation and financial inclusion programs.
As a result, 32 potential cooperation activities in social
protection were identified (demand), some of which are likely to
receive support from the IASPN and other international agencies. A
total of 15 countries from the region represented by their social
development ministries, 2 non-governmental institutions and 8
international and subregional agencies participated in the meeting.
"It
is the first time that I participate in a workshop of this
nature and feel that knowledge and experience were effectively
exchanged and transferred "
Representative of the Ministry of Human Development and Social
Transformation from Belize.
________________________
"We look forward to continue working in the field of social
protection and to implement best practices to assist the most
vulnerable groups"
Representative of the Ministry of Social Services Dominica.
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Cooperation on social protection in numbers:
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3
bilateral cooperation activities involving representatives of
ministries responsible for social protection programs from
Chile, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago,
and an expert on Financial inclusion from Mexico ( 2012-2013 ).
·
1
workshop for multilateral exchange and training on
Multidimensional Poverty Indexes with the participation of 13
countries from Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe in
response to countries’ demands.
·
5 subregional workshops on multilateral cooperation for social
protection involving 29 member States from the Region
(2010-2013), allowing the exchange of experiences and knowledge
between peers on multiple social protection programs.
·
1 regional virtual platform with relevant information and over
1,000 English and Spanish resources that facilitate exchanges on
social protection among the various actors involved in this
field and that provides continuity to cooperation processes
between member States.
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