Participants in the “National Conference on Integrated Social Policy in Egypt” held by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA) and the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity on 7 and 8 February 2007 at the Pyramisa Cairo Hotel will discuss studies on the success stories in a number of developing and advanced countries like Tunisia, the Republic of South Korea, Malaysia, Norway, and Canada with respect to integrated social policy (ISP).
The goal of these studies was to inform the governments and concerned social parties in Arab countries of these experiences and to give them the opportunity and technical assistance to discuss the facilitating and constraining factors in formulating and implementing ISP. This way, approaches can be identified which can assist countries in the region to institutionalize and implement a social policy in step with the characteristics of each country and society. These efforts are part of the ISP project supported by UN-ESCWA since 2002. The project underscores the importance of linking ISP to macro development and the necessity of incorporating human-centric policies and insuring the basic needs for a decent living within the strategic framework for development in every UN-ESCWA country.
Tunisia: Political Vision
The Tunisian experience has been distinguished by the political will and vision on which it is based: open economic policies have been adopted and are supported by social policies that aim to alleviate the burden borne by poor persons. Furthermore, the planning of social and economic policies is integrated. As a result, there has been a perceptible rise in the economic competitiveness indicators of the economy and in human development indicators. Social policy in Tunisia has grown and developed as part of the development plan: it may even be said that the economic and social development plan in the country is one of the most important tools in planning and coordinating social policy, and that the planning process depends on market needs. In Tunisia, development plans follow four stages: evaluation of the outcomes of the previous plan; technical preparation; consultation; and decision-making.
Korea: Responding to Challenges
The importance of the Korean experience lies in the fact that it is a response to the challenges that arose from the restructuring programme, economic crises, and the drive to increase exports. A degree of economic stability and social cohesion was achieved by expanding the scope of health coverage and the retirement pensions programme, and amending the law on minimum living standards. Korea has been able to find broad-based social and political harmony through establishing democracy with the participation of the major political parties and representatives of the commercial, business and Government circles. Nevertheless, a significant lesson can be drawn from the experience of Korea that is connected to according importance to the integration of social and economic policies on the basis that they are inseparable, rather than priority being given to economic growth, with social policies coming second.
Malaysia: New Development Philosophy
The case study of Malaysia centered on a new development philosophy. This new philosophy incorporated the concept of growth with equitable distribution. The ultimate goal of this philosophy was national unity. Unity was therefore to be achieved by equitably sharing the fruits of economic growth among major ethnic groups and the poor of all groups. This approach was aimed at sharing new wealth, not redistributing previously obtained wealth. This new development policy late became known as the New Economic Policy. The new economic plan went through the following eight phases: identifying problems and opportunities; defining and prioritizing areas; placing issues on the public agenda; defining goals and identifying approaches; evaluating alternative approaches; selecting alternatives; implementing selected alternatives; and evaluating programs.
Norway: Relative Equality
The success of social policies in Norway may be attributed to a number of factors, including the prevalence of the relatively egalitarian system, that is not dominated by particular sectors; Government funding of a care system that relies heavily on taxation; and policy focus on employment that affirms the rights and responsibilities of all citizens. The most recent review of social protection in Norway indicates that the main focus is on disability benefits; health services; retraining allowances; sickness benefits; social assistance, for youth and marginalized persons in particular; effective labour market programmes directed primarily at new migrants; unemployment benefits; and single parent benefits.
Canada: Comprehensive Programs
In the study on Canada, the focus was on the power elements in the Canadian experience, where comprehensive programmes were adopted with the aim of involving all actors ensuring that an effective social safety net was established. The aim was to achieve development gains upheld by the constitutional rights that guarantee equality and equity for all sectors of society. Because of the unique Canadian political system, stages intersect repeatedly at the same level. At all stages, from the identification of problems and opportunities, to the evaluation of programmes, the House of Commons and the various committees pertaining thereto hold discussions on policies, alternatives and other issues on the public agenda. Social policy and other public affairs programmes are also considered. Those members of the House of Commons who are responsible for those programmes are accountable for them.
These success stories and other important topics that will provide an opportunity to formulate an ISP are slated for discussion at the “National Conference on Integrated Social Policy in Egypt” held by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA) and the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity under the patronage of First Lady Susan Mubarak on 7 and 8 February 2007 at the Pyramisa Cairo Hotel.
Participants in the Conference will include representatives from various ministries and other state institutions concerned with social and economic affairs, universities, research and training centers, civil society organizations, other organizations concerned with development issues, experts and the media.
The conference assigns great importance to the support that media institutions give the issue of social development. It is necessary to involve the media not only in highlighting social policies but also in formulating these policies and applying them. A media strategy is also needed in this regard.