{"id":9574,"date":"2025-11-06T09:28:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T08:28:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.effe-homecare.eu\/?p=9574"},"modified":"2025-11-24T11:12:39","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T10:12:39","slug":"effe-at-the-doha-world-social-summit-three-days-of-dialogue-to-bring-social-development-and-care-back-to-the-heart-of-public-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.effe-homecare.eu\/en\/effe-at-the-doha-world-social-summit-three-days-of-dialogue-to-bring-social-development-and-care-back-to-the-heart-of-public-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"EFFE at the Doha World Social Summit: Three Days of Dialogue to Bring Social Development and Care Back to the Heart of Public Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From 3 to 5 November 2025, EFFE took part in the Second World Summit for Social Development held in Doha, Qatar \u2014 a landmark event taking place thirty years after the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This global meeting, which brought together more than 14,000 participants \u2014 including 40 heads of state and government, ministers, international organizations, trade unions and civil society \u2014 marked a decisive moment in revitalizing the global social agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Political Declaration to Renew Global Commitment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Summit opened with the adoption of the Doha Political Declaration, reaffirming States\u2019 commitments to eradicating poverty, promoting decent work for all, and building more inclusive societies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres called for a \u201chuman-centred development plan,\u201d emphasizing the central role of employment, social protection and the care sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He highlighted, in particular, the need to support care workers and ensure that economic gains are never achieved at the expense of the rights and dignity of those who care for others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rich Exchanges on Formalization and Decent Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the roundtables and parallel sessions, discussions addressed persistent structural challenges: multidimensional poverty, growing inequalities, job insecurity and the absence of social protection for billions of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EFFE actively contributed to the sessions on labour formalization, especially within domestic work and home care, stressing that the transition to formality must be grounded in social dialogue and in the recognition of families as direct employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several speakers underscored the need for a participatory and inclusive governance framework based on cooperation between States, social partners and civil society. EFFE reiterated that formalization must be rooted in human rights and social justice, ensuring that all workers \u2014 including domestic and migrant workers \u2014 can access decent work and effective social protection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Care: A Pillar of Social Development and an Economic Engine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The many sessions dedicated to care and the care economy highlighted a shared conviction:
\u201cCare is the new frontier of social policy.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In exchanges with the United Nations, Member States, regional organizations and civil society, participants emphasized that care must no longer be treated as an invisible burden or a simple cost, but as essential infrastructure for social cohesion, gender equality and sustainable economic development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EFFE reminded participants that the domestic and care sector plays a structuring role in our societies \u2014 creating millions of jobs, supporting families, and responding to growing needs linked to ageing and changing lifestyles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EFFE\u2019s contributions also showcased the multiplier effects of investing in household employment. Drawing on EFFE Lab data, the organization demonstrated that formalization and accessible care services generate tangible economic and social returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financing Care as Critical Infrastructure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During the sessions on care financing, discussions converged on a clear message: taxation and public budgeting must integrate care as a central component of development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EFFE shared its experience on how family support policies can facilitate the transition from informal work to declared employment while improving the quality and sustainability of jobs in the home care sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speakers also stressed that financing care is not gender-neutral and must go hand in hand with legal and social recognition for all workers in the sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closing: From Consensus to Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In closing the Summit, the President of the United Nations General Assembly emphasized that the Doha Declaration must not remain a statement on paper:
\u201cThis is not the end \u2014 it is the beginning of the collective work needed to ensure that the most vulnerable are protected and heard.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

She reaffirmed that social development is in the interest of all countries and represents \u201cthe smartest investment we can make.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EFFE: A Renewed Commitment to Implementation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After three days of intense dialogue and constructive exchanges, EFFE leaves Doha with strengthened determination to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n