2022 UNRISD: "A Lost Opportunity to Build Social Protection for All? Scenarios Following Emergency Cash Transfers in Central America"

“Covid-19 has created a pivotal moment... By seizing this historic moment, we can turn the tide to shape our individual and collective destiny, and in so doing we would rescue humanity from catastrophe and create a better world” writes Oxford professor of globalization Ian Goldin in a recently published book. Many others share this optimistic take on the pandemic: politicians, academics and policy makers across the world have argued that we face a unique opportunity to "build back better". A social state is a key pillar to this end, argues the executive director of ECLAC, Alicia Bárcena.

En América Latina, la emergencia sanitaria creada por la pandemia se ha convertido ya en una emergencia social y económica. Con sólo el 8% de la población mundial, la región da cuenta del 30% de las muertes por Covid-19. Y está a las puertas de retroceder 10 años en términos de PIB y 12 años en aumento de la pobreza, reviviendo con ello experiencias difíciles anteriores como la década perdida durante los años 80.