Stephen Kidd

An affordable and feasible pathway to universal social security

This paper explains why using universality – social security for everyone within a population category – is more successful than other approaches in implementing social security schemes. The study demonstrates...

From historical trends to investment pathways: Social protection expenditure in Pacific Island Countries and Timor-Leste

This paper provides a comprehensive study on social protection financing in Pacific Island Countries and Timor-Leste, covering their expenditure size, composition, and historical evolution.

Social Security: a pillar of inclusive growth for Kenya? – Executive summary

This study rigorously investigates the relationship between social security and growth, and models returns to GDP from an investment in expanded coverage of universal social security in Kenya.

Join our events this autumn

As the autumn leaves start to fall and summer winds down in the UK, our team are doing anything but winding down! Over the coming weeks, we are busy speaking...

Advocating for universal social security: how to win hearts and minds

The purpose of the paper is to strengthen the arguments and strategies by all those who advocate for universal social security (or protection) whether it be in civil society, governmental, political or international organisations or other spaces.

Calling Marcus Rashford: universal child benefits need you!

Last week, the United Kingdom’s social protection system took yet another big step back towards the 19th Century. The news broke that, during the current COVID-19 lockdown, when schools are closed to most pupils, the Government is providing schoolchildren living in poverty with food handouts, rather than offering their families cash. To make a bad situation worse, the food on offer is of limited nutritional quality while the main beneficiary of the scheme has been the business that was contracted by the Government...

Webinar to launch the Inclusive Social Security Policy Forum for the MENA region

Development Pathways will host a webinar to officially launch the Inclusive Social Security Policy Forum (ISSPF), an initiative funded by the Ford Foundation focused on building knowledge and capacity on inclusive social security in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The social contract and the role of universal social security in building trust in government

A strong social contract is a precious resource in any country. Without it, citizens will be reluctant to pay their taxes resulting in governments being unable to collect the revenues they need to offer good quality public services to their citizens.

Development Pathways presents findings for global research project on governance and social protection

Last week, Development Pathways staff presented their findings from a global research project on the governance of social protection systems.

New dates announced for Development Pathways’ Online Course on Inclusive Social Protection

Due to popular demand, Development Pathways is releasing new dates for the Online Course on Inclusive Social Protection: Making the Case which will take place from 3 May to 9 July 2021 with only 20 spaces available. 

Inequality and social security in the Asia-Pacific region

The Asia-Pacific region is characterised by high levels of income inequality, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. This report provides analysis and recommendations on how to % reduce inequality in the region.

Analysing the scope for social protection in Somaliland

In the absence of government-led social protection schemes, Save the Children is piloting a child-sensitive social protection (CSSP) programme in Somaliland. Anh Tran, from Development Pathways, is working with Save the Children to analyse the scope for social protection in Somaliland, building on the CSSP, and providing specific recommendations to lay the foundation for building inclusive social protection schemes in Somaliland, that leave no children behind.

Black Lives Matter – in social protection and international development

Our blogger, Stephen Kidd, is a Senior Social Policy Specialist at Development Pathways. The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has highlighted the systemic racism that is deeply embedded within the attitudes and institutions of rich nations. While the immediate focus has been on police brutality, institutional discrimination permeates both public...

Addressing the economic crisis of COVID-19 in Asia through social protection

UNDP Asia-Pacific and Development Pathways worked to prepare an analytical background paper on fiscal mechanisms to promote inter-generational equity. However, midway through the project, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. With all Asian economies having been hit hard by the crisis and economic growth falling significantly, Development Pathways conducted additional research and analysis to develop a publication.

New podcast: “Universal social security and the social contract”

The latest episode of the Pathways’ Perspective: The Podcast is out this week, with a discussion on universal social security and the social contract.

Social registries: a short history of abject failure

This paper, which was written in partnership with Act Church of Sweden, examines the utility of the so-called "social registry" - a database that determines people's eligibility for welfare programs - within social protection.

Love and its entanglements among the Enxet of Paraguay: social and kinship relations within a market economy

In "Love and its entanglements among the Enxet of Paraguay: Social and Kinship Relations within a Market Economy", Stephen Kidd, Principal Social Policy Specialist in Development Pathways, examines the affective discourse and value systems of the indigenous Enxet people. Kidd’s analysis focuses on how the Enxet navigate the market economy in Paraguay and the tensions it exerts on their commitment to egalitarianism, generosity, and personal autonomy.

The World Bank’s new White Paper falls short on its objective of ‘protecting all’

The World Bank recently issued a White Paper on rethinking social protection systems to extend coverage. While at first glance this is an honourable goal, the proposals in Protecting All: Risk-Sharing for a Diverse and Diversifying World of Work would do little to achieve this aim. The paper proposes a rollback of...

The social contract and the role of universal social security in building trust in government

Trust in government is the basic building block of any successful nation-state. It needs to be at the very top of the list of government priorities since, once trust is undermined, the state itself can be threatened. History tells us that a key factor in building trust is the provision of universal public services since they can be enjoyed by everyone on an equal and impartial basis.

Scoping and Sector Review of Social Protection in Somaliland

This Scoping Study and Sector Review is a strategic analysis of the existing policy landscape in Somaliland in order to inform the development of a Social Protection system.

Hit and Miss: An assessment of targeting effectiveness in social protection – Summary version with updated analysis

One of the most highly charged debates in social protection is how best to undertake targeting: while some social protection practitioners are passionate advocates of income testing (or poverty targeting), others highlight the many advantages of universal selection. However, as with any debate, it is best to first look at the evidence.

Addressing the COVID-19 economic crisis in Asia through social protection

This paper examines social security responses that Asian countries have already implemented in response to COVID-19 and proposes a range of more effective complementary or alternative approaches.

Analysis of Refugee Vulnerability in Uganda

The aim of this report was to review the current selection criteria for food assistance in Uganda by presenting an in-depth vulnerability study.

What has the Covid-19 crisis taught us about social protection?

In our latest Pathways Perspective, Stephen Kidd and Daisy Sibun reflect on some of the key lessons we have learnt about social protection in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.

Exploring the Evidence, Background Research Papers for Preparing the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) of Bangladesh

In this paper Stephen Kidd contributed chapter’s 7 & 8. 7. Building a Social Protection System to Address the Demographic Challenges Faced by Bangladesh. 8. International Best Practice in Social...

Exploring how to bridge the gap between social protection, technology, responsible financial inclusion and regulation at our event in Nairobi, Kenya

The event focused on how stakeholders can, and should, aim to ensure that social protection schemes and programmes are not only inclusive but delivered responsibly.

We’re hosting an event in Kenya

Development Pathways will be hosting an event in Nairobi, Kenya that will explore the nexus between inclusive social protection, technologies and financial inclusion. With leading experts in the field, Dr Stephen Kidd, Dr Milkah Chebii, Richard Chirchir and Sarah Langhan speaking at the event.

Potential impacts of social pensions in Viet Nam

A report, commissioned by the International Labour Organization, that focuses on Viet Nam's social pensions and examines two options for expanding it to achieve universal coverage.

Social Protection and Disability in Zambia

The report presents findings from a short study in Zambia to examine its social protection system and programmes and identifies the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing them.

The effectiveness of the graduation approach: what does the evidence tell us?

Stephen Kidd and Diloá Athias critically assess what the evidence tells us about the effectiveness of the Graduation approach.

Stephen Kidd speaks at Bangladesh Social Security Conference held in Dhaka City

Stephen Kidd delivered two presentation in a two-day Social Security Conference in Dhaka City, Bangladesh this week.

Social Protection and Disability in Rwanda

This working paper is part of a series of publications that identify good practice in enabling the inclusion of persons with disabilities in social protection systems and programmes. It finds...

How to Finance Inclusive Social Protection

A guide to financing social protection developed by UNESCAP to support policymakers and practitioners in Asia and the Pacific in their efforts to strengthen social protection. Development Pathways contributed to...

Leaving No-one Behind: Building Inclusive Social Protection Systems for Persons with Disabilities

This report examines how to make social protection systems and schemes more inclusive of persons with disabilities. Social protection can play a key role in empowering persons with disabilities by...

Hit and Miss: An assessment of targeting effectiveness in social protection with additional analysis

This paper (now updated with additional analysis as of June 2020) is the result of a global review of the effectiveness of different methods of selecting social protection recipients, both...

Why We Need Social Protection

This e-learning guide, developed by UNESCAP with Development Pathways, raises awareness of the role social protection systems can play in tackling poverty.

How to Design Inclusive Social Protection Systems

The policy guide sets out a step-by-step process of extending coverage in order to realise the right to social security for all, citing a number of examples including Nepal, a low-income nation that introduced an old age pension for everyone aged 75 years and over and a scheme for widows aged 60 years.

How to Implement Inclusive Social Protection Schemes

The practical guidance How to Implement Inclusive Social Protection Schemes outlines the need for effective operational delivery to ensure the right amount of money is paid to the right person at...

Social Protection and Disability in South Africa

This working paper launches a new series of publications that identify good practice in enabling the inclusion of persons with disabilities in social protection systems and programmes. It finds that...

Pro-Poor or Anti-Poor?

Stephen Kidd considers the growing role of the World Bank and IMF in shaping national social protection policies as questions are being asked about their approach to the issue.

Are you designing social protection schemes from a charity or a citizenship paradigm?

Social protection is not always beneficial and popular. A way of predicting whether a programme will have positive impacts and be supported by voters is to identify whether it falls...

Social pensions and their contribution to economic growth

A Ugandan Ministry of Gender, Labour & Social Development and the Expanding Social Protection programme report reviews evidence on how social pensions help expand local economies. It says that a number...

Anti-Social Registries: how a database excludes many from social protection

A craze sweeping the social protection world for Social Registries is systematically depriving some of the world’s poorest not only of social protection but also of access to vital services. So argues our...

The effectiveness of the Graduation Approach: What does the evidence tell us?

In a special edition of the International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth’s Policy in Focus, the graduation approach to poverty reduction is explored by a number of contributors. The paper...

Exclusion by Design: An assessment of the effectiveness of the proxy means test poverty-targeting mechanism

Exclusion by Design: the effectiveness of the Proxy Means Test

In recent years, the proxy means test (PMT) has become the predominant targeting mechanism for social assistance schemes in developing countries. It has many powerful advocates and claims that it...

Social Protection for Informal Workers in Asia

A book addressing gaps in social protection for informal workers in Asia that discusses issues that need to be addressed, including financing, design, governance, and political economy. Chapter 7 by...

Social Assistance in Vietnam: Review and Proposals for Reform

In recent decades, Vietnam’s social protection system has grown, but remains imbalanced, with most benefits continuing to reach the better-off, rather than the majority of the population. Social Assistance in...

To condition or not to condition: what is the evidence?

‘The World Bank do not like having conditions imposed on them: so why impose them on others?’ In the first of our Pathways Perspectives of the year, we look at...

The Effectiveness of Targeting: Options for Uganda

This paper attempts to clarify the concept of targeting within the context of Uganda and discuss the most effective means of ensuring that ‘the poor’ and vulnerable are included in...

Uganda’s Senior Citizens’ Grant: A success story from the heart of Africa

In this paper Development Pathways’ Stephen Kidd discusses the success of Uganda’s Senior Citizens’ Grant (SCG), with evidence from the evaluation of the programme. The SCG, a Government of Uganda...

Inclusive lifecycle social security: An option for Uganda?

Inclusive lifecycle social security: an option for Uganda? considers the feasibility and likely effects of introducing a comprehensive social protection system in the low-income country. The report, available for download below, for...

The Political Economy of ‘Targeting’ of Social Security Schemes

Don’t target ‘the poor’ if you really want to help ‘the poor’ In this edition of our Pathways Perspectives, Stephen Kidd examines the evidence on the political economy of ‘targeting’. By...

The design and management of cash transfer programmes: an overview

Social protection programmes are increasingly recognised as an important tool for tackling poverty and inequality in developing countries, with many implementing large-scale cash transfer programmes aiming to offer comprehensive access...

Establishing Comprehensive National Old Age Pension Systems

KfW Development Bank commissioned Stephen Kidd through Development Pathways for this paper which describes and explains the policy options available to developing countries committed to offering universal pension coverage and...

Social Protection: An Effective and Sustainable Investment in Developing Countries

A KfW paper details some of the impacts of tax-financed social protection schemes in developing countries and the significant positive benefits that they bring. These range from building human capital to...

Social Exclusion and Access to Social Protection schemes

Exclusion from social protection remains a significant challenge. This study, based on interviews with researchers and programme implementers in Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda, and a literature review and experience across many countries, explores factors behind this.

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Stephen Kidd's Work

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