Development writer and international negotiations watcher Biraj Swain discusses with Prof Sanjay Reddy of New School of Social Research, New York, Prof John Clammer of UN University, Tokyo, Dipa Sinha of Right to Food Campaign, Nilachala Acharya of Centre of Budget and Governance Accountability and Prof Praveen Jha of Jawaharlal Nehru University, the definition, reasons and nature of renewed energy around universal social protection globally. They take stock of social protection programmes in India, budgetary allocations and weigh in if it is a political or financial question. They also discuss the moral and economic arguments for social protection, and India’s track record. And they wrap up with the question if universal social protection will ever be a reality for all the 7 billion of the world and how.

They also listen in to the 80s hit reggae band UB40, which has a social protection connection.

References:

1. World Food Day and the spotlight is on social protection
2. Achieving zero hunger: Social protection with pro-poor investment
3. How UB40 got its name and why social protection for all must become a universal right
4. Poverty of Sense
5. Renaming the poverty line
6. Social protection is the best foundation for development
7. Social protection: From hand-outs to social justice
8. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
9. Philadelphia Declaration, 1944
10. Beveridge Committee Report, 1942
11. Karl Polanyi’s Great Transformation and the Concept of Embedded Economy
12. The Karachi Convention of Congress, 1931
13. Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability