Care, both paid and unpaid, plays a fundamental role in society. However, it is often invisible, undervalued and unequally distributed. By discussing a new social contract for care, the Peace Forum seeks to recognize and value the importance of care as an essential element for individual and collective well-being.
It will also reflect on how care falls disproportionately on women and girls, which perpetuates gender inequalities. In addressing this topic, a discussion will be opened on how caring for people, particularly women and young people, contributes to generating conditions of stability and social peace that strengthen democracy.
Spaces for discussion
Objectives
Topics and Issues
Spaces for discussion
Within this thematic axis, the Forum will promote the following discussion spaces with mayors, experts and strategic sectors:
• Keynote Panel Part I: How does caring for people, particularly women and youth, contribute to generate conditions of stability and social peace that strengthen democracy?
• Keynote Panel Part II: How does a vision of care advance the equality, equity and sustainability agendas?
• Discussion: Designing cities to facilitate the establishment of services closer to citizens: green territories, better connected and with access to care to improve quality of life.
Objectives
• Facing urban challenges. Cities face specific challenges in terms of care due to their population density and diverse needs. When discussing a new social contract for care at the urban level, it is possible to address more effectively the challenges related to access to quality care services, the reconciliation of work and care, and the equitable distribution of the care burden.
• Promoting social inclusion. Care is a cross-cutting issue that affects all individuals, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, or socioeconomic status. Within the framework of a new social contract for care in the urban context, the goal is to promote social inclusion by ensuring that all people, especially the most vulnerable, have equitable access to care services and support.
• Boosting urban sustainability. Care is essential for the sustainable development of cities. In this sense, a new social contract for care refers to promoting practices and policies that foster urban sustainability, such as the efficient use of resources, the planning of adequate care infrastructure, and the promotion of healthy and sustainable lifestyles.
• Strengthening the local economy. Care is an important source of employment in cities. Under the scope of a new social contract for care, it is possible to explore opportunities to strengthen the local economy through the creation of decent jobs in the care sector and the promotion of care-related entrepreneurship. This contributes to economic growth and community well-being.
Topics and Issues
• Well-being and quality of life. Proper care has a direct impact on the well-being and quality of life of individuals. A new social contract for care seeks to promote measures that ensure the availability of quality care services that are accessible and affordable for all individuals, especially those in vulnerable situations.
• Economic participation and sustainable development. Equitable redistribution of care work can have a significant impact on women’s economic participation and overall sustainable development. In the discussions within this forum, the aim is to promote policies and measures that facilitate the reconciliation of paid work and care work, such as the implementation of parental leave, access to affordable care services, and the promotion of flexible work environments.
• Building peaceful and supportive relationships. Care involves supportive, empathetic, and solidarity-based relationships among individuals. Therefore, fostering the construction of peaceful and supportive relationships in society at large becomes a fundamental element in the dialogue spaces of this forum.