[SN-ANNOUNCE] SPII: Making Social Security Better Workshop

[Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute]

TO ALL SANGONeT USERS

Making Social Security Better

SPII (Studies in Poverty and Inequality Institute) is the lead organisation
in this initiative to obtain civil society input into the process to reform
the social security system in South Africa. These reforms include not only
reforming retirement funds and pensions, but also provide civil society with
an opportunity to deepen their call for universal comprehensive income
support for people in need who are not covered by the current grant system. 
It is also an opportunity to call for the development of linked active
labour market policies to create jobs and support people moving back into
employment if they are currently unemployed. The South African Government is
currently considering a number of potentially key reforms to the current
social security system in line with the universal right to social security
guaranteed in section 27 of the Constitution of South Africa. These reforms
are located within a constitutional framework that guarantees the right to
social security to everybody living in South Africa, and the right to social
assistance to those who cannot afford to provide for themselves. 

While government departments on various options for social security reform
have published various discussion documents, research shows that very few
civil society institutions or structures are aware of the process. At
realising this, the Department of Social Development decided to partner up
with civil society organisations to facilitate one national workshop and 3
clustered provincial workshops.
 
The aim of the national workshop is to engage national structures in the
debates and to begin to identify mutual concerns and support for the final
design of a comprehensive social security system. The provincial workshops
aim to among others; educate people about their right to social security as
set out in the Constitution and seek comment and input from participants.
Invitations to Provincial Workshops will be extended to civil society
organisations including NGOs, labour, FBOs, provincial branches of national
institutions of democracy, and relevant local and provincial government
officials. The lead organisation is Studies in Poverty and Inequality
Institute (SPII). Other organisations involved in this process include;
Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), South African Council of Churches (SACC),
Black Sash, The Forum and the NEDLAC Community Constituency.

The initial national workshop is being held on 12 & 13 August 2008 at the
ESKOM Convention Centre in Gauteng
Scheduled Provincial Workshops (Venues to be confirmed)
North West - (Limpopo & Northern Cape) Organiser: The Forum, 26 & 27 August
2008
Western Cape - (Eastern Cape) Organiser: Black Sash 28 & 29 August 2008
KwaZulu-Natal - (Mpumalanga) Organiser: Black Sash   3 & 4 September 2008

If you have been involved in work around social security reform and/ or
would like to participate in the provincial meetings, please Contact,
Fortunate Mabuza at fortunate at spii.org.za or on 0118330161