Social Protection Cross-Learning Summit (SPECS-2018)

December 12-14, 2018. Abuja, Nigeria

“Improving the Lives of Poor and Vulnerable Nigerians: Lessons from Implementing Social Protection in Nigeria”

CALL FOR PAPERS

BACKGROUND

In recent years, social protection emerged as a strong and effective policy tool to tackle poverty, mitigate effects of economic shock, support pro-poor and inclusive economic growth, and ultimately achieve progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Many countries around the world, particularly developing countries, have implemented social protection programmes that have shown great success in reducing poverty and inequality as well as in improving many social indicators in nutrition, education, health and overall improvements in living standards and human capital development.

In Nigeria, the country’s recent strong economic growth has not served to substantially reduce poverty, inequality and unemployment, especially among the youth. Against this background, the Government of Nigeria, together with development partners and other stakeholders have sought to develop social protection policies and implement interventions to tackle the country’s high rates of poverty and vulnerability. This commitment has been demonstrated in the recently approved National Social Protection Policy (NSPP), driven by the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning (MBNP).

This conference is convened by the Government of Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning (MBNP); with technical support from UKAID, Save the Children, Action Against Hunger, UNICEF, World Bank and other key partners. The three-day consultative summit - the Social Protection Cross-Learning Summit (SPECS-2018) will take place 12-14 December 2018 in Abuja, Nigeria. The purpose of the summit is to promote a more informed dialogue, using evidence to support targeted investments and positive changes in relevant social protection policies and programmes via advocacy, learning and sharing mechanisms.

The conference will bring together policy-makers, government officials and policy advisors from various ministries in Nigeria, development practitioners as well as representatives from local and international civil society organisations, the private sector, and academia.
CONFERENCE THEMES

The conference will be organized around the following themes:

1. Social Protection Policies in Addressing Poverty and Vulnerability
2. Shock Responsiveness: Social Protection Interventions to Address Shocks and Emergencies
3. Social Protection Policies and Interventions for Vulnerable Groups
4. Fiscal Space and Funding of Social Protection Programmes
5. Political Sustainability of Social Protection Systems

CALL FOR PAPERS

We invite submissions of extended abstracts (minimum 3 pages), or full papers, in one of the 5 thematic areas of policy intervention and programme design articulated above. Abstracts should be submitted by 23 November 2018 to papers@specs2018.com. Successful authors will be notified by 27 November 2018 and will be expected to submit full papers by 5 December 2018.

The conference will take place in Abuja, Nigeria between 12-14 December 2018 at the Abuja International Conference Center.