Stephen Kidd

CEO & Principal Social Security Specialist

Stephen Kidd has for over three decades supported robust strategies and effective delivery in social development and social protection in Africa, Asia, the Pacific and Latin America. Stephen led DFID’s social protection work, policy at HelpAge International, and a development programme in Paraguay. He proudly hails from Newcastle.

Stephen Kidd's Work

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...

Book launches featuring Development Pathways team chapter

Today, 1st June 2023, sees the launch of a new book Evidence in Action for Children: The Role of Evidence, Research, and Knowledge to Strengthen Social Protection. The book, published...

How can Sri Lanka escape crisis with IMF’s $2.9bn?

Dr Stephen Kidd and Dr Nayha Mansoor IMF last week announced a provisional $2.9bn loan to Sri Lanka for recovery from an economic crisis which has caused extreme inflation, shortages and protests. But once the loan is approved, the country has decisions to make on how best to spend the funds....

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.

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.

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.

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.

Strengthening the social contract through child-sensitive social protection: building a case for a Universal Child Benefit in South Asia

Development Pathways is supporting the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia in generating costing, impact and fiscal space analysis for Universal Child Benefits (UCBs) in South Asian countries.

Evaluating the economic fallout of COVID-19 and applicability of child-sensitive social protection mechanisms in Sri Lanka

Over the course of April to May, Development Pathways has been working closely with UNICEF to analyse the economic fallout of the coronavirus in child-sensitive social protection in Sri Lanka.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

3rd December is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. One billion people experience some form of disability, with the prevalence being higher for developing countries. Development Pathways’ principal social...

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.