Many informal sector employees in developing and emerging countries lack access to reliable forms of social protection: They cannot afford to buy private insurance, they are not covered by social insurance, and they are not entitled to social assistance. Therefore, micro-insurance schemes have...

In September 2001, the MDGs were approved by the 56th UN General Assembly. The international community is thus in possession of a common goal system that has been agreed upon by all relevant actors and that is both measurable and set to be implemented by a fixed date. The intention is that both,...

Europe has been discussing how to deal with the arrival of hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Middle East, Africa and other parts of the world for months now. However, one frequently overlooked aspect is the fact that just a small percentage of the world's approximately 60 million...

Effectiveness can always be measured only in relation to a specific, pre-defined goal or goal system. In the case of aid effectiveness, this system should be the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which are now recognised by all relevant stakeholders as the central objectives of international....

Microinsurance has become a very popular concept in the international development debate. It is an arrangement whereby the members pool their risks, but at contribution levels that even people on low and fluctuating incomes can afford. This concept can be realised for life and disability...

This paper analyses Egypt's social protection systems. It asks why poverty is so widespread and why – despite the country's numerous sophisticated social protection systems - social risks are a major contributing factor to poverty in Egypt. It concludes that reforms are due. The existing...