Leave no one behind – the future of social protection
Professor Gassmann’s research focuses on social protection systems, not only in developing countries, but also in western societies. She shows that it is important for governments all over the world to invest in social protection. Especially now that there is an increase in self-employment and irregular jobs, which are often precarious, we have to wonder whether there is still a future for our welfare states. She links these questions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG 1 (eradicate poverty), and posits that reliable income support not only improves the position of poor and vulnerable groups in society, but also reinforces the economy.
Steigenberger Hotel Berlin
About the speaker
Franziska Gassmann is Professor of Social Protection and Development at Maastricht University and Professor of Poverty and Social Protection at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Science. At UNU-MERIT, she is leading the research theme on Social Protection, Inclusive Innovation and Development. Her own research studies social protection policies and the measurement of poverty and vulnerability using primarily empirical methods based on large household surveys. Currently, the focus of her research is on understanding investments in social protection in low and middle-income countries and the implications of the changing nature of work for the welfare state. Professor Gassmann has more than 20 years of experience as consultant and adviser to governments and international organisations on social policy issues in Central and Eastern Europe, countries of former Yugoslavia, the Caucasus, Central Asia and South-East Asia. She has project experience in more than 15 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa.
This lecture is part of traditional series of lectures for alumni; the UM Star Lectures. The other 13 lectures are organized in 13 different cities and 5 countries on the same day at the same time. This event is organized to reach out to and inspire alumni, share academic insights, experiences and memories and to create an interconnected UM Alumni Community.