Introduction to the Theme: The Human Rights Based Approach (HBRA) To Universalism

Transcription

1 Introduction to the Theme: The Human Rights Based Approach (HBRA) To Universalism Presentation at the First World Conference on the Development of Universal Social Security Systems. Brasilia 1-5 Dec /12/2010 By Marja Vaarama & Ronald Wiman / THL FF4.0. 1

2 Comprehensive Social Policies for Development: the Social Dimension in All Policies Case FINLAND: Growth with Equity RW Marja Vaarama & Ronald Wiman 03/12/2010 By Marja Vaarama & Ronald Wiman

3 1. Starting point: Universal Human Rights apply to all people Finland s position Civil Rights Social Rights Economic Rights Cultural Rights Are Interdependent and Equally Important Group- Specific International HR Interpretation Frameworks e.g. Convention on Rights of the Child (CRC) Convention on Women s Rights (CEDAW) Conv. on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) By Marja Vaarama & Ronald Wiman 3

4 1.1. The Human Right to Social Security Human rights that should be guaranteed to everyone, in all circumstances: Sufficient income for adequate food Housing, water and sanitation Education Good health Participation in cultural life Expressing oneself freely Sharing knowledge and ideas These rights create stronger, fairer and more cohesive societies, and provide the foundation for peace and prosperity» UN Social Protection Floor Initiative (SPFI), Leaflet 2010 By Marja Vaarama & Ronald Wiman 4

5 1.2. For realization of HRBA a social orientation in all policies is necessary Rights-based, equitable and inclusive social policy calls for the designing of implementation instruments that are designed to create equal access to societal institutions ( inclusion),and equal and secure access to resources ( decent work and socio-economic security), AND an enabling environment for full social, economic, political and cultural participation of ALL(empowerment) AND respect for diversity and minority rights (cohesion) Such policies shall be implemented through specific, results-oriented action plans (e.g. disability) and monitored and reported through systems that hold authorities and other stakeholders accountable By Marja Vaarama & Ronald Wiman 5

6 1.3. The Goal: Societies with highest possible Social Quality Global processes Societal processes Sufficient socio-economic security and access to essential health and social services Systems Institutions Organisations Social Social Inclusion in all economic, social, cultural and political activities in the society Social cohesion: people have the right to live in societies characterized by equality and social justice Quality Communities Groups Families Individuals Social empowerment for maximal use of one s own capacities: education and life-long learning, support to finding and using the capabilities (Amartya Sen) Local processes Biographical processes Walker & van der Maesen /12/2010 By Marja Vaarama & Ronald Wiman 6

7 2. The Finnish Success Story Finland has developed from a poor, agrarian country to one of the most wealthy societies in the world in about 60 years, i.e. in one life time How did Finland do it? Saasa & al (2003): Improving Effectiveness of Finnish Development Cooperation. Perspectives from the South. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland World Bank: World Development Report /12/2010 By Marja Vaarama & Ronald Wiman

8 2.1. From ashes to riches Low levels of development at the turn of the 20th century Civil War 1918 (one of them most devastating in Europe) Land reform in 1920s WW II, two spells of war, thereafter resettling about 10% of displaced population Several serious economic shocks, but the country was able to restructure the economy ensure long term growth, and combine it with social equity and gender equality climb to top levels by many indexes including economic competitiveness, happiness and satisfaction with life Newsweek August 2010: The best country in the world is Finland. By Marja Vaarama & Ronald Wiman

9 2.2. Basic security and essential services for All is one of the keys to social integration Universal, free, public primary education since 1921 Social pensions, child allowances, maternity leave, free school meals etc. since 1940s Universal health insurance (1963) State guaranteed study loans in 1960s All families became STAKEHOLDERS, interested in paying tax and in maintaining the quality of public services Universal systems attract the middle class buy-in => SOCIAL INTEGRATION By Marja Vaarama & Ronald Wiman 9

10 2.3. Finland today as a welfare state A Nordic Model of the welfare state legislated universal rights of citizens/residents Strong public sector, tax funded, but now increasing emphasis on co-production of wellbeing and mixed economy of care Highly decentralised service provision (municipalities) Strengths Extensive social protection A system endorsed by the people (survey results confirm this year after year) Moderate expenditure, good cost-effectiveness Sustainable also during the recession of the 1990 s Reforms have been continuously undertaken in several fields (incl. the pension system and the social insurance legislation) to reflect the changing global, social and economic environment Finland may pull through also the financial crisis and recession with smaller damages. By Marja Vaarama & Ronald Wiman 10

11 3. The Lessons 03/12/2010 By Marja Vaarama & Ronald Wiman 11

12 3.1. Development of Social Protection does not depend solely on GDP/capita, rather a vision and political will are also needed Social policies were introduced when Finland was still a poor, developing, largely subsistence agriculture dominated country In 1939, at income the level of today s Namibia social pensions were introduced 1949, at the GDP/capita level of Brazil 1974 UNIVERSAL child allowances, universal maternity leave, maternity package, home help for older people 1966, at the level of Brazil 2008 e.g. state guaranteed student loans for all, Universal Heath Insurance 1963 It was a coalition between workers and farmers, and between men and women, and a strong political will which contributed to this beneficiary development 03/12/2010 By Marja Vaarama & Ronald Wiman 12

13 3.2. Important role for the State as the Social Broker Through corporatist labor market policies State as a social broker between workers, employers, farmers and entrepreneurs social security Earnings-based pensions ( benefit workers) pensions for farmers and entrepreneurs flat rate social pensions (benefit subsistence farmers and those without a working career) basic education for all ( equalizing class struggle: equal opportunities, social mobility, cultural integration) health and social services ( mother and baby clinics, day care) State involvement in savings and investments for industrialization (mobilizing pension funds for infrastructure investments) State support to NGOs (Grants and subcontracting as social service producers) and political parties (grants) By Marja Vaarama & Ronald Wiman

14 3.3. Lessons from History and Today: Growth and Equity Go Together Growth and Equity in Finland by Markus. Jäntti, Juho Saari and Juhana Vartiainen (UNU-WIDER 2006) : Wilkinson & Pickett (2009): The Spirit Level Why Equality is Better for Everyone: societies with a wider gap between the rich and the poor are risky and harmful to everyone including the well-off people. Children are particularly vulnerable: in the OECD, well-being of children is lower in inequal societies. By Marja Vaarama & Ronald Wiman 14

15 Our Mission: Towards A Society for All STAKES/VT By Marja Vaarama & Ronald Wiman 15

16 Contact details Marja Vaarama Professor Assistant Director General National Institute for Health and Welfare, THL Ronald Wiman Development Manager /THL External Advisor on Social Development of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs Mobile: /12/2010 By Marja Vaarama & Ronald Wiman 16