Join our thought-provoking conversation with Philip Proudfoot (Institute of Development Studies) and Cynthia Saghir (CAMEALEON) as they discuss the evolving role of states in humanitarian response, building meaningful social contracts in fragile contexts, and developing lifecycle social security systems that shield citizens from conflict-related shocks. In an era of increasing global instability and uncertain humanitarian funding, this timely discussion examines how robust government-led social security frameworks can create resilience even in the most challenging environments.

In this episode, our guests explore how a lack of political will often blocks access to universal social security, despite its recognition in national constitutions and international law. We examine practical solutions for policymakers and what it takes to transform constitutional commitments into real social security systems that reach the over 4 billion people currently excluded from social security.

Our latest podcast episode on cash plus programmes features Keetie Roelen, Senior Research Fellow in Poverty and Social Protection at The Centre for the Study of Global Development at The Open University, and Pietro, a Social Protection Specialist at Development Pathways. This episode explores what cash-plus programmes are and the evidence around their impact. While promising, these initiatives also encounter challenges around cost, coordination, and context-specific implementation that must be carefully navigated to achieve sustainable, scalable results.

What Comes After Social Cash Transfers? by Development Pathways

Does Social Protection Encourage Informality? by Development Pathways

What is Gender-Transformative Social Protection? by Development Pathways

This episode focuses on the impact that COVID-19 is having on children in Indonesia and how social protection can have a mitigating effect. The conversation provides an in-depth analysis on the themes of a recent policy brief, “The impact of COVID-19 on child poverty and mobility in Indonesia” written in partnership with Development Pathways, the Fiscal Policy Agency and UNICEF Indonesia. Featured in this episode are Bjorn Gelders, Senior Social Policy Specialist at Development Pathway; Ali Moechtar, Policy Analysist for the Ministry of Finance in Indonesia and Charlotte Lie-Piang from UNICEF Indonesia’s social policy team.

Check out our latest episode of Pathways’ Perspectives: The Podcast featuring Dr. Stephen Kidd, Principal Social Policy Specialist at Development Pathways and Dr. Andrew Fischer, Associate Professor in Social Policy and Development Studies at the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague. Their discussion looks at our latest publication, in partnership with Act Church of Sweden, on social contract and the role of universal social security in building trust in government. They explore universal social security from the lens of post World War II Western Europe and debate whether COVID-19 can serve as a catalyst for universal public services in the Global South.

Our latest episode of Pathways’ Perspectives: The Podcast features Baindu Kallon, Business Development Consultant at Development Pathways and Vanessa Thomas and Satia Dias, two of the five founders of Diasporic Development. This is a special podcast episode, introducing the Pathways into Development Graduate Internship programme - a joint initiative with Development Pathways and Diasporic Development. The internship is aimed at Black graduates who are interested in entering international development. The lively discussion touches on the importance of representation in international development, the barriers that Black professionals face and how this internship can begin to address these challenges.

The latest episode of Pathways’ Perspectives: The Podcast features Yolande Wright, Director of Poverty Reduction, Climate Resilience, Gender Equality and Inclusion at Save the Children, and Nicholas Freeland, a Social Policy Specialist and Development Pathways Associate. Their lively discussion looks at the importance of investing in child benefits during and after COVID-19. The two experts explore how governments can begin to build these systems and provide specific examples from various countries that have developed their child benefits programmes.

The first episode in our podcast series features Alexandra Barrantes, Senior Social Protection Specialist at Development Pathways, and Rasmus Schjoedt, a Social Policy Specialist and Development Pathways' Senior Associate. This expert on expert conversation focuses on negative narratives and storytelling around the perceptions of poverty. How do these narratives impact social policy advice and implementation in country? Listen to our podcast to hear more