- ATD Fourth World

ATD Fourth World cautiously welcomes the determination of the G20 to strengthen the social dimension of globalisation and the recognition of the importance of social protection floors. Recognition that economic shocks disproportionately affect the most vulnerable is also a positive affirmation.

The challenge now is for such measures to be implemented in practical terms. For this, ATD Fourth World calls on G20 countries to:

• Ensure that actions and policies to restore growth and confidence are truly socially inclusive. This means adopting an equity approach which has at its core improving the lives of the most disadvantaged people and populations. For this to happen, we call on countries to put in place participatory mechanisms to feed into the policy-making process the knowledge people in extreme poverty possess of what constitutes effective anti-poverty measures.
• Take steps to turn from rhetoric into reality the recognition that the most vulnerable are disproportionately affected by economic shocks. This means adopting a rights-based approach to economic recovery in order that people in poverty do not pay the highest price of austerity measures. Once considered the norm, today child benefits, universal health care, social care and adequate wages and incomes are now increasingly becoming a privilege in an increasing number of European countries. Strengthening the social dimension of globalisation means strengthening universal access and enjoyment of social and economic rights.
• Take concrete steps to bring about a Universal Social Protection Floor which can provide people in extreme poverty in all countries with the adequate health, education, water and sanitation, as well as a secure income in order to lift themselves, and their communities, out of poverty. A Universal Social Protection Floor is a means to achieving the Millennium Development Goals in all countries. The G20 must provide leadership in ensuring that social protection becomes a right for all and not only for those citizens in countries with the economic means to provide it.

In his reaction to the G20 Comminique, Matt Davies, ATD Fourth World’s head of international policy and advocacy remarked: "The danger remains that the G20’s global strategy for growth and jobs fails to take into consideration the needs of the world’s poorest citizens, in both north and south. Economic stability cannot be met at the expense of the most vulnerable. If the G20 are serious in their commitment to inclusive development, they must seek to draw on the knowledge of people in extreme poverty. They have known nothing but crises. Their participation is essential in the building of the equitable and socially inclusive society we all aspire towards."

Contact: Matt Davies, Head of International Policy and Advocacy – tel. +33 (0)6 27 74 20 49. Present in Cannes from afternoon of 2 through to 4 November.