Dr Simona Milio’s Post

📢 Exciting News! An interview with our researchers Izabela Marcinkowska, Agnieszka Maj, and Delia Agostinelli, co-authors of the new European Economic and Social Committee study on eradicating skills poverty among the most vulnerable, has just been published! 🎉 Link to the interview: https://lnkd.in/dKQj9y4f 📢 Study Alert: Bridging Skills Gaps in the EU! 🌍 This study examines skills divides within the EU, particularly focusing on their links to poverty and social exclusion, as well as various factors contributing to skills inequalities. The authors also highlight effective policy initiatives designed to address and reduce these divides. ✨ Key Findings: 💡 Employment trends to 2035 will be driven by growth in the digital, green and care sectors. 💡 Key skills for success include literacy, digital skills, multilingualism, transversal skills, and social skills. 💡 Inequalities in these skills, or 'skills poverty', affect older adults, non-EU citizens, rural populations and marginalised groups. Link to the study: https://lnkd.in/dCX8HF8W

The NBER Working Paper "Upward Mobility in Developing Countries" meticulously evaluates socioeconomic mobility's intricacies and empirical evidence within a developmental context, focusing on theoretical advancements and empirical assessments across 122 countries. The study primarily explores upward mobility through innovative panel-free measures, which overcome traditional data limitations by circumventing the need for longitudinal data sets, which are scarce in developing nations. The investigation leverages the World Inequality Database to apply these new metrics, revealing significant disparities in mobility outcomes among countries. The methodology integrates an economic model that addresses absolute and relative mobility, distinguishing between non-directional mobility, which notes changes in socioeconomic status, and directional mobility, which significantly values positive changes. This nuanced approach allows for a deeper understanding of the dynamics that influence economic ascent and the potential barriers to such progress. The results underscore a critical reassessment of traditional views on mobility, suggesting that existing economic frameworks may underrepresent the complexity of mobility in developing regions. They point to significant variations in mobility between countries and regions, suggesting that economic policies and practices that are effective in one setting may not be universally applicable. The document calls for a reevaluation of how mobility is measured. It suggests that enhancing information transparency and accessibility could significantly impact the effectiveness of economic policies to improve mobility. The study advocates for continued exploration into the multifaceted nature of socioeconomic ascendance, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches tailored to the unique challenges developing countries face. Questions: 1) How have traditional economic models and measures failed to capture the full mobility spectrum in developing countries? 👀 2) What are the immediate economic and social impacts of applying panel-free mobility measures in developing countries? 👀 3) How can future research further innovate to accurately measure and enhance upward mobility in the dynamically changing economies of developing countries? 👀 💡 Genicot, G., Ray, D., & Concha-Arriagada, C. (2024). Upward mobility in developing countries. National Bureau of Economic Research. Retrieved from https://lnkd.in/dgud8eGU

I am eagerly anticipating the adoption of the draft #WHA77 Resolution on the #EconomicsOfHealthForAll today. This resolution is proposed by Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovenia, and the United Arab Emirates—a remarkable coalition! Key recommendations include urging Member States to: 📢 Integrate the interconnection between health and the economy into national policies, prioritizing people’s health and #wellbeing. 🔔 Implement evidence-based policies that reorient economic and innovation strategies towards #UHC and well-being, with special attention to #vulnerablegroups. 💰 Invest in health system infrastructure and human resources to ensure essential #publichealth functions and access to quality services, leveraging both domestic financing and official development assistance for UHC. 🏷 Shift public and private investments from #harmful activities to those that enhance health and well-being, promoting corporate social responsibility #CSR. 🌍 Recognize the interdependence of human, animal, plant, and environmental health for economic #resilience, and take #multisectoral actions to prevent biodiversity loss, pollution, and #climatechange. 🌈 Address social and economic determinants of #healthinequities #SDH, including #gender inequalities and development disparities, to support vulnerable and #marginalized populations. 📣 Establish multisectoral mechanisms to reorient the #economy towards viewing #healthfinancing as an #investment, encouraging collaboration across sectors, and mobilizing domestic and innovative financing based on the linkage between health and the economy. ... and mandates World Health Organization to, among others: 📝 Create a strategy for implementing the economics of health for all, with priority actions for Member States and stakeholders, for review at #WHA79. 📌 Establish a comprehensive program on economics and health for all, covering strategic, normative, advocacy, technical, analytical, and engagement components, within the WHO Health Finance and Economics program area, enhancing expertise and capacity on economic and cross-cutting issues like gender equality and poverty eradication. 🔗 Incorporate the final report of the #WHOCouncilEconomicsOfHealthForAll at national, regional, and global levels to promote the economics of health for all approach. 🤝 Support #NationalHealthAuthorities to better engage and negotiate with finance and other sectors for integrating the approach into national policies and negotiations with regional and global actors. 💪 Provide #technicalassistance to countries on resource mobilization and sustainable financing for #UHC, #PHC, #SDH, and health system strengthening. https://lnkd.in/diTqFF22 Christine Brown Yannish Naik Natasha Azzopardi Muscat Mariana Dyakova

Bocconi-Columbia Conference on Political, Social, and Economic Inequality Call for Submissions Political, Social, and Economic Inequality Causes, Consequences, and Responses Organizers: Ala Alrababah (Bocconi), Giovanna Invernizzi (Bocconi), Shigeo Hirano (Columbia), Carlo Prato (Columbia) Motivated by the evidence of widening differences across citizens in economic outcomes and political views, the past decades have witnessed a growing academic interest in the causes, consequences, and potential responses to political, economic, and social inequalities. To encourage further accumulation of knowledge in these areas, we plan to hold a yearly conference alternating between Bocconi University and Columbia University. The inaugural conference will be held at Bocconi University on June 19-20, 2024. Our goal is to improve our understanding of how these forms of inequality arise across different regions and societies, shape governance structures, and influence social and economic development. We are open to submissions covering a wide array of topics, including the impact of polarization, globalization, and demographic shifts, as well as how these disparities influence political participation and broader societal outcomes. We also hope to showcase a mix of theoretical, empirical, and experimental research. Proposals should be submitted no later than December 31, 2024. Please use this form to submit the papers: [https://lnkd.in/eTK9nepR) We will arrange accommodation and cover traveling costs (in line with the CEPR Travel Guidelines<[https://lnkd.in/eqsYng57)>) for presenters and discussants. Authors will be notified around January 31, 2024. Proposals can take the form of an extended abstract (at least 500 words) or a full paper. We particularly want to encourage submissions from researchers from underrepresented backgrounds. If you have any questions, you can email any member of the organizing committee.

📢 Really happy to see the first article of my Ph.D. thesis published in  the latest issue (#36) of Social Policy Review! Here you can find the link to the (open access) article: https://lnkd.in/dVBijyRj The article is a systematic literature review that integrates the concept of intersectionality into the study of minimum income policy design. It has been a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I am grateful for the support and guidance I have received along the way. I look forward to continuing this research and contributing to the field of social policy. #Research #PhD #SocialPolicy #Intersectionality #MinimumIncome

Attending the Centre for the Study of African Economies, University of Oxford #OxCSAE2024 was an enriching experience, catching up with colleagues and friends like Oluwabunmi Adejumo and Queen Esther Oye, PhD. Presenting my research and receiving insightful feedback was truly invaluable (see attachment for the presentation). Our research (co-authored by Joseph Ajefu, Ph.D, FHEA) yielded a fascinating finding: IDP settlements contribute to improved health outcomes for children in the host community. For instance, we observed a significant 10 percentage point decrease in the likelihood of underweight, stunted, or wasted conditions among host community children, particularly those residing within a 10-km radius of the IDP settlements. The effect diminishes for cohort children residing within 25km, 50km, and so forth from the IDP settlements. You may be wondering—how can this be? Conventional wisdom suggests that IDP settlements could have adverse effects on the wellbeing of host community children due to various factors, including strains on health services caused by population shocks, among others. Now, let's delve into the mechanisms driving this result, as verified by our study. Firstly, the influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) led to changes in food prices, likely driven by increased demand for food. As a response, women from host communities intensified their agricultural production, prioritizing it over other labour engagements to capitalize on the opportunity to expand household resources. Secondly, the heightened aid flow, particularly health-related aid such as increased vaccination campaigns in host communities, has also benefitted children from these locations due to the presence of IDP settlements. Our paper challenges conventional wisdom and underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of the complexities inherent in the relationship between the influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host community outcomes. By uncovering the mechanisms driving these unexpected health improvements, our study also offers actionable knowledge that can inform both policy decisions and academic inquiries, ultimately aiming to improve the well-being of vulnerable populations particularly in LMICs. In the nearest future we will be updating this post with the peer-reviewed published version of the paper. Stay tuned.

If you are a bit of a research/data nerd like me, today is an exciting day!!! Every year I look forward to the release of the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute Mapping Social Cohesion Report. This week I happened to be on the East Coast to see Pearl Jam - as if this week couldn't get more exciting right!! So I made sure to get along to the launch of the report this morning in Melbourne to hear from the researchers about this year's findings. As always the findings were super interesting and very relevant for those of us working to create more connected and inclusive communities. Since 2007 the Scanlon Foundation has been surveying Australians to understand trends in social cohesion. This means that we can track changes over time across a range of social cohesion indicators - our sense of belonging, participation in community life, financial well-being, social justice and equality, our trust in government and each other, our sense of worth and our views about migration, cultural and religious diversity. This year a huge representative sample of 8000 Australians participated in the survey and a further 40 qualitative interviews were undertaken to explore social cohesion trends. No other country tracks social cohesion like we do. We are very lucky in Australia (thanks to Scanlon Foundation) to have access to such useful research on how we are tracking as a nation on some very very important measures that tell a story of how we live together and how that has changed over time. If you are interested in all things community and cultural diversity, this is the most interesting report you will read all year. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/g24Um66f View the summary video highlights here: https://lnkd.in/ghm_AYXx

On September 25, 2024, John Buck, President and CEO of the Community Economic Development and Employability Corporation (CEDEC) moderated the Closing Plenary of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) 2024 Local Development Forum.   Held in the neighbouring cities of Malmo, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark, under the theme Building Bridges, Shaping Tomorrow, participants from around the world closed the Forum by discussing how best to embrace an accelerating pace of change for communities, companies, and careers in transition. In the Closing Plenary that focused on (a) what developers have learned from previous economic transitions, (b) the importance of local leadership during transitions, (c) the thoughtful use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and (d) public-private partnerships,  John commented upon CEDEC’s unique Collaborative Economic Development approach, emphasizing the importance breaking down silos between the public, private and civil society sectors, and leveraging their collective creativity and resources to produce tangible economic benefits for communities and workers in challenging times.   The Keynote address for the Closing Plenary was given by Morten Dahlin, Minister for Cities and Rural Districts, Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs and Minister for Nordic Cooperation, Denmark. Panellists for the session included Marie Stærke, Mayor of Køge, Denmark, Rui Monteiro, Director of the Department of Economics, Porto City Council, Portugal, Mary Ellen Wiederwohl, President & CEO, Accelerator for America, and Nanna Højlund, Vice Chair of Danish Trade Union Confederation (FH). John wrapped up the Closing Session with a rapid fire discussion, exploring with participants how policymakers and practitioners can improve the collection and use of data to better understand and respond to the needs of communities and workers during transitions. The OECD Local Development Forum is a community of thousands of policy makers and practitioners around the world. In addition to fostering peer learning and exchange, it serves as a two-way street between the OECD and local communities. It not only brings the latest OECD research and analysis beyond ministries to main streets, but also ensures local voices and innovations inform our work. For more information on the OECD Local Development Forum: https://lnkd.in/ezymKg9E

📣 PRB is thrilled to announce our strategic alliance with CREG Consortium Régional pour la Recherche en Economie Générationnelle—a new milestone in a longstanding partnership to promote the use of demographic data and population research in policies, programming, and funding decisions in African nations. “Combining CREG’s expertise in analysis of population data and economic indicators with PRB’s expertise in communicating it allows us, together, to reach a wide audience on the importance of this data in critical areas like population aging and climate change,” said Barbara Seligman, PRB’s Senior Vice President of International Programs. To meet the demand of decisionmakers across Africa seeking support on the use of analyses for policy and programmatic guidance, CREG President and Coordinator, Professor Latif Dramani, said, “CREG’s work focuses on research quality, training of researchers, and building policy and budgetary tools. In our work across countries in Francophone and Anglophone Africa, we have found PRB’s ability to effectively communicate to decisionmakers what the data and research mean to be unparalleled.” “CREG is the first NTA Center of Excellence in Africa and a leader in promoting its data use in policymaking across countries in African countries,” said Jeff Jordan, PRB President and CEO. “The strengthening of PRB’s partnership with CREG provides an opportunity for us to work together on activities to advance the development agenda outlined in the African Union’s Agenda 2063.” CREG uses data from National Transfer Accounts (NTAs) to analyze the economic impacts of changing population age structures by measuring how people at every age produce, consume, and share resources and save for their future. Based in the University Iba Der Thiam of Thiès, Senegal, CREG builds understanding of how demographic dynamics impact economic growth, gender, generational equity, public finances, and other important elements of macroeconomics on the African continent. “PRB has worked with Professor Dramani and CREG since 2019 to support country-level and regional data on time use and women’s unpaid work in the care economy through the Hewlett Foundation-funded Counting Women’s Work project,” said PRB’s Africa Director, Aïssata Fall. “Our new alliance supports the understanding of the importance of this work and its intersections with other critical agendas such as climate change, migration, and population aging.” The equal and shared partnership demonstrates PRB’s continuing commitment to engage in equitable collaborations with local organizations leading development efforts. https://bit.ly/4aS74Hi

🎉 Excited to announce the publication of my latest article co-authored with Prof. Robin Samuel in Social Indicators Research! 📚 📄 Title: Youths’ Perceived Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic and Subjective Well-Being: The Moderating Role of Subjective Social Status 🔗 Read here: DOI: https://lnkd.in/dsiapHhk Using unique panel data from Luxembourg during the short and mid-term phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, we explored the relationship between youths' perceptions of coping with the pandemic and their subjective well-being. Here are some key highlights from our findings: - Luxembourg as a Unique Setting: As one of the happiest countries globally with the highest GDP per capita, Luxembourg provides an important context for our study. - Strong Relationship with Subjective Well-Being: Perceived coping with the COVID-19 context significantly affects subjective well-being beyond individual and macro characteristics. - Social Status Differences: We found a strong correlation between perceptions of coping with the pandemic and well-being in high-social-status individuals, and a weaker correlation for low- and middle-social-status individuals. - Stability Over Time: The relationship between coping perceptions and well-being remained stable over time. - Comfort Conditioning: Our findings suggest that 'comfort conditioning'—a response to the pandemic for young high-social-status individuals—can explain some of the results. While comfortable living conditions generally enhance quality of life and coping mechanisms, they can also lead to increased psychological vulnerability for some of them in the face of unusual adversities, especially among the young. The high-subjective social status young in Luxembourg suffered their first large-scale macro crisis restricting their freedom and lifestyle. Acknowledgements: An earlier version of this paper was presented at several international conferences, including "Well-being 2021: Knowledge for Informed Decisions" (STATEC Research) and "Social Stratification and Social Policy for a Post-COVID-19 World" ( RC28, LSE). We are grateful for the valuable feedback received from colleagues at these events and from the Centre for Childhood and Youth Research at the University of Luxembourg. This research was supported by the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth and the Luxembourg National Research Fund [Grant Number 147204589]. Thank you to everyone who contributed and supported this work! #youth #happiness #COVID19 #wellbeing #coping #Luxembourg #socialstatus #research