The International Training Programme (ITP) on Social Protection for Sustainable Development has officially opened in Lusaka, with participating countries reaffirming their commitment to strengthening resilient social protection systems across the region.
Zambia is hosting delegates from seven countries namely, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and explore innovative approaches to building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable social protection systems capable of addressing emerging socio-economic challenges across the region.
Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary, Ms. Angela Kawandami, officially opened the workshop and acknowledged that governments across Africa continue to face growing socio-economic challenges, including poverty, inequality, unemployment, climate-related shocks, public health emergencies, displacement, and economic vulnerabilities affecting households and communities.
Ms. Kawandami said the Zambian Government continues to strengthen systems that promote inclusion, resilience, and equitable access to opportunities for all citizens through various social protection programmes and reforms.
The Permanent Secretary noted that initiatives such as the International Training Programme on Social Protection complement Government efforts by building technical capacity, strengthening institutional coordination, and supporting evidence-based policy implementation.
She further stated that Zambia welcomes opportunities that enable countries to share experiences, exchange innovations, learn from one another, and build stronger regional networks for social protection and sustainable development.
“Africa’s development challenges are interconnected, and therefore our responses and solutions must also be collaborative and interconnected,” she said, while calling for renewed commitment, stronger partnerships, and practical solutions that will contribute to more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable societies across the continent.
ITP Chairperson, Dr. Michael Samson, observed that Zambia’s social protection initiatives have attracted regional and global attention, particularly for the country’s implementation of integrated social protection systems and the development of its pioneering social integration strategy.
Meanwhile, Swedish Embassy Deputy Head of Mission, Ms. Christina Wedekull, described the International Training Programme as an important component of Sweden’s support to social protection systems. She highlighted Zambia’s significant investments in people through skills development, knowledge sharing, and leadership enhancement, with the ITP playing a vital role in strengthening institutional capacity.
Ms. Wedekull expressed confidence that the workshop would provide a valuable platform for the exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices that can be adapted across the region to advance effective and quality social protection service delivery.
