SPEAKERS - 16th Poverty and Social Protection Conference (PSPC2026)

Transformative Social Protection: Global Perspectives on Poverty and Empowerment. A Book Proposal

Transformative Social Protection: Global Perspectives on Poverty and Empowerment brings together the latest insights from the International Poverty and Social Protection Conference. This engaging collection highlights innovative approaches to poverty alleviation, emphasizing the role of grassroots movements and gender inclusion in reshaping social protection systems worldwide. Leading academics and practitioners explore diverse initiatives, from democratizing water governance in India to sustainable agricultural practices in Colombia, and the socio-economic impacts of maternal migration in Zimbabwe. Through case studies and participatory research, this volume illustrates how local governance, community resilience, and systemic change can convert formal entitlements into real capabilities. By bridging the gap between policy and lived realities, it presents actionable strategies that rethink social protection as a dynamic, community-led process, advocating for justice-oriented frameworks that blend indigenous and formal systems. This book is essential for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars committed to sustainable and inclusive development.
Dr. Lorena Muñoz is an urban/cultural geographer whose research focuses on the intersections of place, space, gender, sexuality and race. Dr. Munoz’s transdisciplinary research agenda has been focused on Latines in the global south, particularly in the areas the (in)formal economy, race and the production of queer worldmaking's. Dr. Munoz’s is currently working on an interdisciplinary, collaborative research project on labor immigration/migration and the impact of family separations in South Africa/Zimbabwe and the United States/Mexico borders. Dr. Muñoz is Associate Dean for Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, HSI/DEIJB advisor to the President, as well as Professor and Chair of Global Studies and Ethnic and Race Studies at California Lutheran University.

The Transformative Impact of Cash Plus Parenting Interventions on Child Development Trajectories: Evidence from South and Southeast Asia

The presentation draws on evidence from cash plus parenting programmes in Nepal, India, and the Philippines demonstrating that integrating structured parenting interventions with social protection programmes yields significant development outcomes. Parenting programmes do not only bolster short-term child development but can also positively influence future educational attainment and lifetime earnings, generating impacts far exceeding those of cash transfers alone.
Disa has a background in social development research and consulting and has also worked with Sida and UNICEF prior to joining Save the Children in 2007. For the past 10 plus years she has been supporting Save the Children country offices in Asia to develop Child Sensitive Social Protection (CSSP) initiatives with the aim of making social protection deliver more for children. A large part of the work has also focused on improving inclusion and accountability of government social protection programmes. She holds a PhD from the University of East Anglia in the UK.

A fair chance in life for every child in Tanzania

As global challenges converge, from climate change and rapid urbanization to declining aid flows, the most vulnerable children are being pushed further to the margins. In this shifting landscape, promoting equity in Tanzania is not only a moral imperative but also a practical necessity to secure a better future for every child. A fairer Tanzania starts with understanding where inequities lie and acting decisively to address them. Reliable data and sound evidence are vital to this effort: they reveal disparities, inform smarter policies and help direct resources where they are needed most. A fair chance in life for every child in Tanzania sets an important foundation for deepening our understanding of children’s well-being and the inequities they face across the country. This report underscores the need for coordinated investments across sectors, in social protection, health, education, nutrition, WASH and climate resilience, to ensure that every child can survive, learn and thrive. By translating evidence into action and policy into impact, Tanzania can continue building a society that is not only more equitable, but also stronger and more sustainable for generations to come.
Economist with Ph.D., excellent analytical skills and extensive applied policy experience. Areas of expertise include poverty and vulnerability analysis, as well as various aspects of public financial management. Expertise in leveraging technology and innovation as catalysts for inclusive growth, with extensive experience bridging the gap between measurement, analysis, and implementation to achieve tangible development outcomes.

When the World Gets Angry Enough to End Poverty

As we stand at the crossroads of technological revolution and moral responsibility, one question confronts us all: Can artificial intelligence build not just profitable enterprises, but principled ones — businesses that endure across generations? AI is rewriting the rules of productivity, decision-making, and innovation. Yet, in this era of algorithms and automation, integrity remains the timeless currency of trust — the invisible thread that binds organizations to their people, their communities, and their purpose. Without it, progress is hollow; with it, technology becomes transformative. Today, we’ll explore the nexus between AI and integrity — how ethical intelligence, transparency, and human-centered governance can anchor the next wave of generational businesses. We’ll examine how values can be coded into systems, how accountability can scale with automation, and how businesses can grow not only smarter, but also wiser. Because the future we build with AI should not only be intelligent enough to succeed — it must also be honorable enough to last.
He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Kenyatta University, Kenya, where he specialized in strategic management and organizational development. Joshua is the Founder and Executive Director of Bositen Consulting Ltd, a firm dedicated to empowering organizations through innovative fundraising strategies, capacity building, and impact-driven solutions. With years of experience working alongside nonprofits, social enterprises, and corporate entities, he has established a reputation for integrity, excellence, and transformative leadership. His work focuses on aligning purpose with performance—helping organizations not only achieve their goals but also create long-term social and economic value. Joshua continues to inspire change across sectors through his commitment to ethical business practices and generational sustainability.

A Perfect Social Storm: Poverty, Prejudice, and Populism in Contemporary Japan

The past four decades have witnessed an increasing poverty rate in Japan, which is currently almost as high as the rates in Israel and the United States. Meanwhile, the recent usage of words in Japanese illustrates that if one person receives a benefit unavailable to another, the latter is inclined to consider the former cunning. This cunning-beneficiary assumption has permeated so deeply that many taxpayers have tended to regard welfare recipients as guileful, thereby stigmatizing them. The populace’s hostility can also be directed toward minority communities that receive public funding in some cities. Taking advantage of such hostility, right-wing populist local politicians attracted wide support by promising to reduce such funding. Moreover, a xenophobic far-right populist national party dramatically increased its seats in the 2025 election, immediately after the false rumor of immigrants amounting to one-third of welfare recipients spread via social media. Inspired by the American disaster film, The Perfect Storm, I call the tripartite difficulties faced by contemporary Japanese society a perfect social storm. My talk examines increasing poverty, emerging cunning-beneficiary prejudice, and rising right-wing populism, as well as their trilateral relationships. The talk ends by noting some implications of observations on the Japanese storm for other societies.
Makoto Usami is Professor of Philosophy and Public Policy at Kyoto University and a visiting professor at the Technical University of Munich. After staying as a visiting scholar at Harvard University, he was a full professor at Chukyo University and the Tokyo Institute of Technology. He currently serves as the President of the Public Policy Studies Association, Japan. His areas of specialty include legal and political philosophy, and he has worked on distributive justice, climate justice, global justice, intergenerational justice, and moral issues surrounding artificial intelligence and existential risk. He is the author of four books and a co-author of two textbooks, while also editing eight anthologies in English and Japanese. He has published some 80 journal papers and book chapters and given talks at more than 100 international conferences and symposia.

Food Insecurity Among University Students in Rural Hawaii

Food insecurity has emerged as a significant yet underrecognized challenge within institutions of higher education, with implications for students’ academic success, health, and overall well-being. Although global and national studies have documented rising levels of food insecurity, there remains a need for campus-level research that captures how this issue affects students in specific institutional contexts. This presentation presents findings from a research project conducted at a university in rural Hawai’i examining the prevalence of food insecurity among students. Using campus-based data, the study identifies the prevalence of food insecurity and highlights significant associations between student demographics and food insecurity status. 
Dr. Reece is a professor at Brigham Young University Hawaii in the Health & Human Science program of the Faculty of Sciences. He currently teaches Research Methods and mentors student research. In addition to his academic responsibilities, he serves as an executive editor for the International Journal of Exercise Science.
Shaylee is currently a senior at Brigham Young University–Hawaii and will graduate in April with a major in Health and Human Sciences and a minor in Psychology. Her academic interests center on the intersection of health, well-being, and functional participation across diverse populations. She plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, with the long-term goal of specializing in hand therapy. She is particularly interested in evidence-based practice and the role of research in improving therapeutic outcomes. She hopes to continue engaging in research within the field of Occupational Therapy, with a focus on advancing client-centered and occupation-based interventions. Through her academic and research experiences, she is committed to promoting health, independence, and quality of life.
Tori is a senior studying Exercise and Sport Science at Brigham Young University Hawaii. Her academic interests center on sports science and she is focused on advancing awareness of the health benefits of physical activity and proper nutrition. She plans to go to medical school to pursue a career in sports medicine.

Negotiating Coexistence: Spiritual, Cultural, and Socio-Economic Dimensions of Human-Elephant Conflict around Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary

This paper examines Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) in the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary landscape through the lens of negotiated coexistence, highlighting how spiritual beliefs, cultural practices, and socio-economic realities shape everyday interactions between people, elephants, and the state. In India, elephants occupy a paradoxical position: they are revered as sacred beings yet feared as agents of destruction. Dalma vividly reflects this contradiction. Recurrent crop damage, human fatalities, and habitat fragmentation have intensified conflict, while delayed compensation and weak communication have strained relationships between village communities and the Forest Department. Consequently, what begins as human-wildlife conflict frequently escalates into a broader community-state conflict. Moving beyond a purely technical or ecological framing, this paper approaches HEC as a peacebuilding challenge embedded in social relations. Using Dalma as a case study, it explores how local spiritual institutions- including ritual practices and sacred landscapes- intersect with economic vulnerability and institutional gaps in conservation governance. The paper argues that sustainable coexistence requires locally grounded, participatory strategies in which communities and forest authorities share responsibility for early warning systems, risk mitigation, and trust-building. By integrating ecological data with cultural and social analysis, the study reframes coexistence not as passive tolerance, but as an ongoing process of negotiation shaped by belief, authority, and everyday survival.
Indu Kumari is a Ph.D. Research Scholar at Amity School of Natural Resources & Sustainable Development, Amity University. Her research focuses on the Impact of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) change on Elephant Corridors in the Dalma Landscape, Jharkhand, India. She has extensive professional experience in sustainability, conservation, and livelihoods, having served as Campaign and Advocacy Manager (Programme Manager) with Indo-Global Social Service Society (IGSSS), New Delhi, and earlier as Manager and Head, Green Livelihoods at the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Noida.

A Journey to End Global Hunger: 1995 → 2025 → 2055 – Rethinking Global Commitments Beyond the SDGs

Over the last three decades, the world has witnessed transformative shifts in the global fight against hunger and poverty — from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 1995, to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, and now toward an uncertain but decisive future beyond 2030. While progress has been uneven, these frameworks have shaped policies, partnerships, and investments that lifted millions out of extreme deprivation. Yet, rising inequality, climate disruptions, conflict, and fragile food systems reveal the limitations of existing models and the urgency of envisioning the next 30 years. This presentation proposes a forward-looking, evidence-based examination of: (1) what the world achieved from 1995 to 2025 under the MDG and SDG eras; (2) what critical lessons emerged from countries that succeeded or struggled; and (3) what a new global framework for 2055 must prioritize to achieve Zero Hunger. Drawing on insights from the Zero Hunger Report Card, a comparative analysis of food insecurity across 50 countries, the session will highlight patterns in governance, social protection, youth investment, climate resilience, and data-driven innovation. It will also explore the structural and political realities that determine whether global commitments translate into real progress on the ground. The proposed session aims to open a strategic dialogue on what a post-2030 development architecture could look like: one that integrates climate-smart systems, community resilience, equitable access to nutrition, and strong human-development foundations. By revisiting three decades of learning and projecting forward to 2055, this presentation argues that ending hunger is not merely an aspirational goal — it is an achievable trajectory if bold leadership, inclusive policy design, and sustained global cooperation are placed at the center of the next era of social development.
Suman Roy is a distinguished business and community leader with a career spanning private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, dedicated to addressing systemic inequities, food security, and sustainability. As a key consultant, he helped draft Toronto’s first Food Strategy, laying the foundation for equitable and sustainable food systems. Suman founded "Feed Scarborough," "Hunger-Free Canada," and the "Zero Hunger Project" to combat food insecurity. He recently launched a global podcast and a book, *Zero Hunger Project*. A global advocate & speaker for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, Suman has represented Canada at the UN’s High-Level Political Forum, World Summit for Social Development and the FAO. Recognized as "CEO of the Year (NGO)," "Changemaker of the Year," "Visionary of the Year," and recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, Recently Suman was recognized with a honorary Doctorate degree from the Universidad Azteca in Mexico in International Relations. Suman’s innovative leadership continues to drive a hunger-free, equitable future.

From Margins to Mainstream: Rethinking Poverty and Social Protection through Community-Led Model

According to the Census of India 2011, nearly 16.6% of the country’s population approximately 200 million people belongs to historically marginalized communities. Despite constitutional safeguards and decades of welfare policies, many within these communities continue to face limited access to quality education, healthcare and livelihood opportunities, reinforcing cycles of intergenerational poverty and exclusion. Poverty is not merely the absence of resources but also the absence of opportunity, visibility, and voice. While education is widely acknowledged as one of the most powerful pathways out of poverty, for millions of children in India; especially those living in street situations or belonging to marginalized communities it remains largely inaccessible. Social protection systems are intended to act as safety nets, ensuring that vulnerable populations can live with dignity. Yet, for many at the margins, these systems often fail to reach those who need them most, leaving children unseen and unsupported. Addressing this gap requires reimagining education and social protection not just as policies, but as processes rooted in inclusion and empowerment. This paper argues that community-led models built on grassroots leadership, local trust, participation, and collective ownership offer a more sustainable foundation for social protection and long-term poverty reduction.
Adwait founded Vardhishnu in 2013 with a deep belief that every child deserves dignity, opportunity, and a safe space to grow. With over a decade of experience in the development sector, his work is rooted in a strong understanding of communities, systems, and long-term change. He holds a Master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Pune and has further strengthened his leadership journey through a Leadership Accelerator Program at IIM Bangalore. As Executive Director, Adwait leads Vardhishnu’s vision and strategy, focusing on partnerships, stakeholder engagement, fundraising, and organizational growth, while representing the organization on national and international platforms. His leadership has been shaped by fellowships from Samajik Kritadnyata Nidhi, Janarth, Wipro Foundation, Acumen India, and the Gratitude Network, which continue to influence his approach to building resilient, community-driven systems for change.

Analysis Heterogeneous of Synthetic Poverty Reduction Programme Using Machine Learning

Accurately detecting heterogeneity in treatment effects is crucial in develop- ment economics for designing optimal policies to efficiently alleviate poverty and address development issues more effectively. This study aimed to compare the performance of a machine learning method, the Honest Causal Forest (HCF), with a traditional econometric method in detecting heterogeneity in treatment effects within randomized controlled trial (RCT) settings. To achieve this, we generated synthetic randomized controlled trial data with known individual treatment effects. We estimated individual treatment effects using HCF and K-Nearest Neighbors Propensity Score Matching (KNN PSM), then compared the average deviations of these estimated effects from the true values to evaluate the performance of both methods.
Ben has been a PhD candidate in Economics at the University of Kent since September 2022. He is an engineer-economist, having completed the Magistère program at the Aix-Marseille School of Economics, where he also obtained a Master’s degree in Economic Policy Analysis. Moreover, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from Aix-Marseille University, as well as the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from the National School of Statistics and Applied Economics in Ivory Coast. He is also a lecturer in Econometrics and Statistics for undergraduate economics students, and in Quantitative Data Analysis for Master’s and PhD students.

The Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus: Case Study Analysis on Japan’s Approach to Address Humanitarian Crises in Asia

This presentation explores the potential of the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus as the comprehensive approach for addressing the humanitarian crises in Asia. Drawing on case studies such as the ‘Ogata Initiative’ implemented in Afghanistan and the ‘All-Japan approach’ including the ‘Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD)’ conducted in the Philippines, this study demonstrates how Japan has sought to operationalize the HDP Nexus to address the diverse needs on the ground. Furthermore, the paper analyzes the potential of the HDP Nexus to maximize the synergies among emergency humanitarian aid, mid- and long-term development assistance, and sustainable peacebuilding efforts. It concludes by arguing that Japan’s approach to the HDP Nexus offers an alternative model for contributing to sustainable peace and stabilization in Asia. By examining best practices from past programs led by the Government of Japan, as well as the lessons learned, this study aims to contribute to ongoing discussion on new strategies for responding to current and future humanitarian crises, with a particular focus on sustainable peace and development in Asia.
Mr. Akira Hokamura is a Lecturer in the Department of Global Affairs at Baiko Gakuin University, Japan. His research interests include international cooperation and peacebuilding, with a current focus on the Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) Nexus. In terms of professional experience, he served as a Researcher at the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, where he conducted research on the transitional justice situation in Sri Lanka. He also worked as a Project Formulation Advisor at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Nigeria Office, where he was responsible for formulating Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects in the fields of agriculture, nutrition, gender and peacebuilding. Mr. Hokamura received an MA in Political Science, majoring in Global Politics, from Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines, and an MA in Gender and Peacebuilding from the University for Peace in Costa Rica. He was awarded the Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship (APS) from The Nippon Foundation.

Grandparents shaping the future for families

Since 2001 grandparents in Victoria and Australia have taken lead roles in highlighting issues confronting Australian families, most partially vulnerable families dealing with complex family relationships and poverty.
Anne is the Director of Grandparents Australia, Grandparents Victoria and of Kinship Carers Victoria and Convener of Kinship Families International Network. Since 2001, Anne has been active in promoting the role of grandparents as advocates for all families. She encourages grandparents and kinship carers to engage in the public discourse, and to draw attention to the need to protect and secure family, children’s, and parents’ rights. She believes that a rights approach is being ignored by political and other decision makers.

www.grandparentsvictoria.com

The Hunger Report: An In-Depth Look at Food Insecurity in Singapore - the role of informal networks

The Hunger Report: An In-Depth Look at Food Insecurity in Singapore – The Role of Informal Networks examines how individuals and families experiencing food insecurity rely not only on formal assistance schemes, but also on informal social networks for support. Conducted by the Lien Centre for Social Innovation, the study highlights that while Singapore has a range of structured food aid and government support programmes, many households turn first to family members, friends, neighbours, religious communities, and employers when facing food shortages. The research reveals that informal networks often provide flexible, immediate and dignity-preserving support, such as shared meals, small cash loans, or grocery assistance. However, reliance on these networks can also create emotional strain, social obligations, and instability, particularly when networks are themselves resource-constrained. The study underscores that food insecurity is not only a material issue but also a relational one, shaped by trust, reciprocity, and social capital. Overall, the report calls for stronger coordination between formal systems and community-based networks to build more resilient and responsive support ecosystems for vulnerable households in Singapore.

Impact Assessment of Employment at Telunas Resorts: A Case Study in Indonesia

The Impact Assessment of Employment at Telunas Resorts: A Case Study in Indonesia examines how employment at Telunas Resorts in the Riau Islands contributes to employees’ life satisfaction, quality of life, and family wellbeing. Conducted by the Lien Centre for Social Innovation, the study used a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews to assess changes before and after employment. Findings show significant improvements in employees’ life satisfaction, psychological health, financial security, and overall quality of life. Family wellbeing also improved, particularly in financial stability and career development. These positive outcomes were attributed to Telunas’ holistic human capital development approach, which integrates character-based leadership, a culture of empowerment, and employee-centric initiatives such as financial literacy and education programmes. The study concludes that purposeful leadership and values-driven organisational culture can enable businesses to remain profitable while generating meaningful and measurable social impact for employees and their families.
Steve Loh is the Executive Director of the Lien Centre for Social Innovation, Singapore Management University. Two decades of senior leadership of international charities found in over 120 countries, has only fuelled his passion in seeking out systemic root causes of the most pressing social problems we face today. The Centre believes in a research-based, data-driven, evidenced-informed approach to strategy, policy and measuring impact. It provides research-driven social impact consultancy, as well as education and training in social innovation and philanthropy advisory to corporations, foundations, governments, family offices, private banks and philanthropists. Steve is most happy when he’s pioneering long-term, sustainable solutions to critical needs in a wide range of communities. From Singapore to Papua New Guinea (and several nations in-between and beyond), Steve seeks out evidence-based social issues and solutions to innovate bespoke initiatives that leave a legacy of positive impact. Before coming to SMU, Steve was the Chief Executive Officer at the YMCA of Singapore, a youth-focused IPC charity that also runs several social enterprises in the hospitality and education sectors.

lcsi.smu.edu.sg