The future of social protection in the face of a cascade of crises: the role of social registries in the digital transformation of social protection and the eradication of poverty

Strengthening Social Protection Systems in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Joint Effort Towards Universality

Panel 6: The Role of Social Registries in the Digital Transformation of Social Protection and the Eradication of Poverty

At a recent regional seminar organized by ECLAC on March 19 and 20, 2024, the challenges and advancements in the social protection systems of Latin America and the Caribbean were addressed. The seminar, highlighted by the participation of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank (WB), focused on the urgency of strengthening systems that are universal, comprehensive, resilient, and sustainable. This need is amplified by the current context, which combines recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic with the necessity to face future crises.

The seminar explored how countries can modernize their policies to face these multiple challenges, ranging from reversing pandemic impacts to preparing for an evolving social protection scenario. The importance of a fiscal and intergenerational pact that allows crucial investments for shared and sustainable well-being was emphasized. Additionally, discussions covered how these policies could contribute not only to social development but also to the economic productivity and environmental sustainability of the countries in the region.

One of the most highlighted sessions was panel number six, where representatives from the IDB and WB delved into the role of social registries in the digital transformation of social protection and poverty eradication. This discussion underscored the collaboration among various international and regional organizations, highlighting a collective effort to address these complex and multidimensional challenges. This meeting not only served to map current advancements but also to systematize strategies that could transform how these global and regional challenges are approached.

Click on the video to watch the panel.