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Parallel session 2.2: Rethinking social registries in the face of multiple crises

This session was hosted by the World Bank Group.

Melis Guven, Global Lead for Social Protection Delivery Systems, World Bank Group, gave a framing presentation and moderated the ensuing discussion between the following panelists:

  • Kabir Abdullahi, National Coordinator, National Social Safety-Nets Coordination Office (NASSCO)
  • Naveed Akbar, Director General, Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Pakistan
  • German Briceño, Deputy Director of Poverty & Targeting, Department of National Planning, Colombia
  • Ahmet Fatih Ortakaya, Social Protection Specialist, World Bank Group

Social registries provide a gateway for potential inclusion of intended populations in social programmes – that is, social registries are information systems that support the processes of intake, registration, and the assessment of needs and conditions to determine potential eligibility for one or more programmes. They can be leveraged to improve coordination of social policy and promote synergies between social protection programmes. However, recent experience has shown that the ways in which a social registry – as well as the broader information system – is set up are just as important as the registry itself.

In their discussion, panelists explored the capacities and institutional arrangements needed for functioning social registries. They explored questions concerning data collection and storage, interoperability and data exchange, dynamic entry and exits, and shock responsiveness of social protection systems, among other topics.

Takeaways of the discussion included the following:

Every country has its own trajectory for setting up social registries depending on the context. The important thing is to share a vision and a roadmap outlining how the involved stakeholders and institutions can work towards an interoperable functional social registry. Two things to keep in mind going forward are to focus on (i) outreach and communication campaigns and (ii) strong grievance redressal mechanisms.

© GIZ/Steffen Kugler
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