From Evidence to Action: Strengthening the Global Care Agenda Across Multilateral Spaces
How can care remain at the center of global policy conversations in a time of overlapping crises?
This is the question at the heart of "Sustaining a Transformative Care Economy Agenda in Multilateral Spaces: Perspectives from Africa and Latin America," a workshop convened by Global Alliance for Care and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) as part of the 2026 International Association for Feminist Economics (IAFFE) Conference in Cali, Colombia.
The workshop brings together leading feminist economists, researchers and advocates from Africa and Latin America to reflect on one of today's most pressing challenges: ensuring that recent advances on care are not only celebrated, but translated into lasting political commitments, sustainable financing and transformative public policies.
Around the world, care has emerged as a defining issue for social and economic justice. Across Latin America, countries have advanced national care systems, strengthened legal frameworks and, most recently, secured the recognition of care as an autonomous human right through the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Across Africa, governments are developing innovative care policies while researchers and civil society organizations continue to generate evidence that places care at the centre of economic and social development. Together, these experiences offer valuable lessons for shaping international agendas in the years ahead.
More than a panel discussion, this workshop is designed as a collaborative space where participants will exchange experiences, identify common priorities and develop strategies to strengthen the care agenda across major multilateral processes between 2026 and 2028. Discussions will focus on two interconnected priorities: recognizing and supporting community-led care economies, and advancing progressive approaches to financing care through innovative fiscal policies and evidence-based advocacy.
"Building transformative care economies requires more than policy recognition—it demands collective action, sustained investment and strong alliances across regions."
Meet the speakers in the section below this news article 👇
Further Reading
The workshop builds on a growing body of research exploring how care can become the foundation of more inclusive, resilient and gender-equal societies. Participants are encouraged to explore the following publications:
- Localizing the Care Economy paper and illustrated brief by Lyn Ossome for the International Development Research Centre
- Brief - From the care economy to economies of car by IDRC | CRDI - Issuu
- A Feminist Proposal for Financing Care by Lucía Cirmi Obón for the Red de Género y Comercio
- Broadening the notion of care a privilege for the few, or common good? by Norma Sanchís
- Care: Knots to Unravel by Norma Sanchís
