Mission

The main objective of the Social Equity Forum (SEF) is to elevate social equity concerns to the forefront of economic and social policy debates, and advance successful social equity policies in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Forum will act as a marketplace for the discussion and exchange of ideas, involving a critical mass of key actors who hold a shared vision of promoting social equity through economic and social reforms. The SEF aims to build knowledge not only on the technical ingredients of successful reform initiatives, but also on the political factors that can contribute to, or potentially undermine, policies aimed at social equity. This initiative will identify, analyze and distill successful reform experiences in the region that have identified optimal strategies for pursuing growth with equity.

Membersof the Forum include economic, finance, planning or line ministers; prominent leaders from civil society groups; academics; opinion makers; and in general, leaders from both within and outside of the government who have successfully promoted and/or implemented equity-enhancing reforms in the region.

In addition to attaining meeting-specific results, the Forum members will also contribute to regional awareness on best practices in promoting social equity. This group of prominent experts is well poised to disseminate knowledge at the regional level through exercising intellectual leadership; informing the public and the media; engaging in policy dialogue and high-level policy advice; and offering official position papers or policy statements on how to incorporate social equity concerns at critical junctures (e.g., during times of economic crises, natural disasters, or social conflict).

The Social Equity Forum is an initiative of the Inter-American Development Bank with the generous support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Norway.