1. OECD WORK ON THE SOCIAL ASPECTS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Marco Mira d’Ercole
OECD Social Policy Division

2. National Strategies on Sustainable Development
Two approaches to the social dimension:
“development for whom”? Sharing more widely the benefits of globalisation at the international level
“development of what”? Focus on the interactions between economic processes and environmental and social conditions

3. Towards Sustainable Development: the Role of Social Protection
Focus: the “social-economic” interface in OECD countries
Function: contribution of the OECD Employment, Labour and Social Affairs Committee to 2001 Ministerial mandate

4. Two main tracks
Why sustainable development is important for discussions about social policies?
Which social concerns should be integral to sustainable development?

5. 1. Why is sustainable development important for social policies?
Three basic insights
Broad view of human well-being, encompassing economic, environmental and social concerns
Many of the effects of today’s decisions will last over time and affect well-being tomorrow
Many of today’s problems have their roots in actions taken in other fields

6. The life-course perspective
2. Which social concerns should be integral to sustainable development?
The life-course perspective
Supporting child development
Improving quality and equity in education
Help youths in their transition to adulthood

7. 2. Which social concerns should be integral to sustainable development
2. Which social concerns should be integral to sustainable development? (cont.)
Strengthening adaptability throughout working life and avoid marginalisation
Assuring the sustainability of retirement income systems
Addressing needs for care during old age

8. Conclusions
What do we gain from a broad interpretation of sustainable development?
Which measures for the social dimension?