ICSW CENTRAL AND WEST AFRICAN REGION INTER AGENCY MEETING ON THE SOCIAL PROTECTION FLOOR GENEVA 22nd and 23th NOVEMBER 2010 MONITORING OF HONG KONG GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE SOCIAL PROTECTION FLOOR INITIATIVE ICSW - CWA REGION Presenter: M. Amacodou DIOUF - President of ICSW CWA Region

ICSW ICSW is a world non government organisation on social development Members are national umbrella organisations and thematic peak organisations in countries ICSW is divided into nine regions that largely coincide with the economic regions of the world ICSW has had NGO recognition by ILO, UN ECOSOC and other UN agencies since the 1940s

HONG KONG ICSW GENERAL ASSEMBLY RECOMMENDATIONS The General Assembly of ICSW members adopted the Social Protection Floor Initiative (SPFI) as a key part of the ICSW global programme. In practice this means: 1. The nine ICSW regions include SPFI as part of their social policy agenda 2. Members are becoming involved in the conception, adoption, implementation and support of the Social Protection Floor at national and regional level. 3. ICSW is conducting regional training programmes to help national umbrella organisations to participate in national initiatives on social protection.

West Africa Regional Workshop Dakar 25, 26, 27 OCTOBER 2010 Principle Objectives: To build the capacity of the national councils of social development in each country so that they engage effectively with national governments and regional cooperation bodies to influence the introduction of social protection policies and programmes; Raise awareness on the Social Protection Floor Initiative among ICSW membership in the West African Region

REGIONAL WORKSHOP IN CENTRAL AND WEST AFRICA, DAKAR 25, 26, 27 OCTOBER 2010 Results: countries and 12 umbrella organisations in West Africa met for the 1st regional civil society organisations’ meeting on SPFI 2. One Regional Organisation (UEMOA - West African Monetary and Economical Union) attended 3. Senegalese Government (President of National Committee for Social Protection Strategy) attended 4. 3 UN Agencies presented ( WFP, UNICEF, ILO). World Bank Experts from Washington DC participated work plans were developed for 12 Countries. A regional work plan was endorsed. 6. A regional Bulletin on SPF was published 7. Collaborative work with UN and Governmental representatives in senegal is initiated and strengthened

Dakar workshop recomendations : The following major recommendations were adopted: 1.To Financial and Technical Partners: I. Promote support to the governments of poor countries through participative programmes in the struggle against poverty II. Support social protection national strategies through supporting programmes III. Support endogenous initiatives fostering all actors adhesion to the social protection floor initiative IV. Promote a better coordination and better coherence of social protection policies through a steering (committee) and a regular and participative follow-up (secretariat)

Dakar Workshop recommendations 2. To UN Agencies and National Governments: I. Promote information about the social protection floor initiative with national development actors II. Strengthen the partnership with civil society organisations on the social protection floor initiative III. Promote the exchanges with governments on activities concerning the social protection floor initiative within technical committees and during sector-based policy reviews

Dakar Workshop recommendations: 3. To Civil Society Organisations I. Promote a strong involvement of civil society organisations in the elaboration, follow-up and evaluation of social protection policies II.Take into account social protection floor initiative in country programmes including the poverty reduction programmes being implemented for the population’s benefit III.Conduct information and awareness programmes in all regions about the social protection floor Initiative to facilitate participation in local policy development

REGIONAL WORK PLAN STRATEGIES: 1. Strengthen members’ participatory initiatives in national processes on SPFI in West Africa Countries 2. Build strong civil society national committees in SPFI on PRSP’s annual reviews 3. Involve CSOs more actively in inter agency work for promoting synergy between actors 4. Build national and local committees for monitoring SPFI 5. Conduct advocacy meetings prior to policy decision makers’ meeting for better policy influence

REGIONAL WORK PLAN ACTIVITIES / EVENTS: 1. Organise Douala (Cameroon) meeting for Central Africa on the SPFI 2. Organise national follow up meetings in West African countries on the SPFI 3. Produce collaborative publications on SPFI with - UNICEF, WFP, ILO & others 4. Work on PRSP reviews to include major points from SPFI 5. Promote activities for efficient national coordination activities through a national secretariat for SPF that include all sectors

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