Conference: 100 years of social pensions

The conference "100 years of social pensions, the challenge of global poverty and experiences of the social protection system in Sweden" will be held 1-2 October 2013 at the Essinge conference centre in Stockholm, Sweden.

The event is being jointly organised by the Church of Sweden and HelpAge International.

Who is it for?

The conference aims to bring together a range of experts and policy makers, bridging the public and private sectors as well as civil society.

It will provide a unique opportunity for those interested in social protection, in Sweden or internationally, to share experiences
and engage in debate.

Conference languages are English and Swedish, for which interpretation will be provided.

Programme

The conference will explore the following debates:

The pension reform in 1913 and the experience of the Nordic model
Expanding social protection in developing countries
Challenges faced by the Swedish welfare system
The role of pensions in global development
From deserving poor to a human rights perspective
Targeting vs universality
Strengthening systems: how can global and local stakeholders contribute to improving social protection systems?
Beyond 2015: what role for social protection in the post-MDG debate?

Speakers include

Professor Jimi Adesina, University of Western Cape
Professor Armando Barrientos, Brooks World Poverty Institute, University of Manchester
Dr Christina Behrendt, ILO
Bishop Eva Brunne, The Diocese of Stockholm
Thomas Hammarberg, former Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights; Secretary to the Directors' Committee
Martin Hutsebaut, European Trade Union Institute
Profesor Olli Kangas, The Social Insurance Institution, Finland
Dr Stephen Kidd, Development Pathways
Ulf Kristersson, Swedish Minister for Social Security
Professor Thandika Mkandawire, London School of Economics
Professor Joakim Palme, Uppsala University
Secretary General Heather Roy, Eurodiaconia
Dr Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights
Senior advisor Timo Voipio, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Finland
Professor Eskil Wadensjö, Stockholm University

Registration and practical information

There is no attendance fee. Registration closes on 10 September 2013.

An optional dinner on 1 October will cost SEK 500 (EUR 60).

Information about hotels can be found at the conference website.

There will be an NGO Day on 3 October. This will provide an opportunity for Swedish and International NGOs to share common experiences and strategies on social protection.

For more information please contact gunnel.axelssonnycander@svenskakyrkan.se or see www.churchofsweden.org/pension100