A contribution to the policy discourse on the direction and impact of social protection in Asia and the Pacific, this report presents the political and economic case for social protection and the need to bring social protection into the mainstream of development policy formulation. While many countries of the region have some form of social protection in place, only a fraction of those who need assistance actually benefit. It is argued that these programmes can act as the building blocks for more comprehensive social protection systems which can meet the needs of so many more. Universal coverage is promoted as a way to most effectively and proactively impact on people's lives, and especially the most vulnerable groups in society.
