Title: Global and Regional Social Policy Research Programme

PI: Bob Deacon
Affiliation: Prof. of International Social Policy, University Sheffield, U.K.
Email: b.deacon@sheffield.ac.uk
Short Description: A proposal for a five-year (2005-2010) programme of research, policy analysis and policy dialogue under the auspices of UNRISD in collaborating with the Globalism and Social Policy Programme (GASPP) and research centres from the Globalization Studies Network (GSN).

Executive Summary

This document sets out a proposal for a coordinated series of research projects, allied policy dialogues and policy analysis activities to be carried out within the period of 2005 to 2010. The projects will be carried out under the joint auspices of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) and the Globalism and Social Policy Programme (GASPP) working where appropriate with member institutes of the recently formed Globalization Studies Network. The proposed work plan develops existing work of UNRISD and GASPP in the light of the recommendations of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation and will take account of the recommendations of the concluding conference of the Helsinki Process.

UNRISD, the UN research institute for development studies, between 2000 and 2005 has focussed upon the question of social policy in a development context in order to draw lessons for developing countries from the histories of early industrializing countries. GASPP with core STAKES funding has between 1997 and 2005 undertaken a review of the ways in which globalisation is impacting upon the making of social policy in both developed and developing countries. Both research projects have pointed to the increasing importance of the global context of social policy. Both have suggested that an emerging global social policy needs more sustained research attention.

The WCSDG argued for the improved management of globalisation in order to secure the better meeting of the needs of the world's population. Policy synergy within countries (for example between trade and aid policies) was called for in order to secure a more effective and socially responsible globalisation. At the same time the WCSDG called for policy dialogues between international organisations (such as the World Bank and ILO) in order to secure a more consistent management of the world global social affairs. This proposed research and policy dialogue programme builds upon this proposal by organising global policy seminars on globalisation and health, globalisation and social protection and globalisation and education. The Helsinki Process is one global initiative to improve global networking to solve key global social and other questions. Account will be taken of the outcomes of that process in framing this research programme.

This is a proposal for a timely series of research and research related activities to be shared between two leading global research and policy analysis centers, drawing upon the intellectual resources of the globalization studies network and focused upon the policy issues which the WCSDG drew attention to. In sum the work will address the following topics and involve the following activities. The precise balance of priorities within the suggested programme and the resources to be devoted to each aspect will depend on the advice of the UNRISD research programme consultation exercise to be held in November 2004.

Global Social Policy and Governance: Politics and Prospects

Research and critical analysis of the de-facto mechanisms and policies of global social redistribution, global social regulation and global social rights. This will include work on the global politics of welfare, and the contribution of the global business community to this politics. It will also study the processes of global social policy making within the UN system (ECOSOC, UNDESA etc), the proliferation and effectiveness of global social policy task forces and networks and options for improved global social governance.

The Social Dimension of Regionalism

Research and critical analysis of the de-facto mechanisms and policies of regional social policy in a number of world regions (MERCOSUR, ASEAN, SAARC, SADC, CARICOM, Arab Region etc).

The North's Making of Global Social Policy

Research and critical analysis of the policies of selected Northern governments and groupings of countries such as the G7/8, G20N, and EU towards the social dimension of globalisation.

The South's Experience of and Reaction to Global Social Policy

Research into the ways in which diverse international social policy actors impact upon and frame the social policy/social development options of aselection of developing and middle income countries. This will include studies in the ethnography of aid. Additionally research into the emerging Southern contribution to the making of global social policy including the influence of G20s, G77 etc.

Global Private Markets in Health, Education, Social Protection and Care

Research into the scope, the impact and the issue of regulation of the emerging global private markets in health, education, social care and social protection. This will include work on global care chains.

Policy Dialogues on Global Health, Social Protection and Education Policy

The organisation of a series of inter-institutional policy dialogues on aspects of global health policy, global social protection policy and global education policy.

Inter-Regional Dialogue on Social Policy

The organisation of an inter-regional dialogue on regional social policies.

Global Social Policy Observatory

Development of a regular web-based Global Social Policy Observatory assessing new international social policy initiatives.

Texts and Policy Briefs on International Social Policy

Publication of the results in a series of scholarly texts as well as accessible policy briefs.

The projected cost of the programme is around £2,000,000 over 5 years. Each of the 5 main projects within the programme will last three years and are estimated to cost a minimum of £250,000. The policy dialogue activities, global observatory, dissemination costs and project management consume the remainder of the budget. The full document consists of a policy, scholarly and institutional context of the planned work, details of the projected activities and outputs, organisational and management arrangements and detailed costings.

At the GSN conference expressions of interest in this project were made by a large number of research institutes around the world. Planning is currently in the hands of the joint GASPP-UNRISD team. A GSN representative will be co-opted in due course. Meanwhile offers of research collaboration from GSN member institutes are welcome as are offers of funding! Further details can be obtained from B.Deacon@sheffield.ac.uk.