The International Social Security Association (ISSA) is organizing a Technical Seminar on information and communication technologies in the new world of work and social security services, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 25–26 October 2018 at the invitation of the Ministry of Finance – Secretariat for Social Insurance (Ministério da Fazenda – Secretaria de Previdencia) from Brazil, in collaboration with the National Social Security Institute (Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social) and DATAPREV - Social Security Information and Technology Enterprise (DATAPREV - Empresa de Tecnologia e Informações da Previdência Social).

New technologies, and the increasing use of it, are having unforeseen impacts on industries, labour markets and services in all aspects. Digitalisation is testimony to the power of human innovation and will bring major opportunities but also challenges to social security.

In the digital economy, the classic dichotomy of an employee and a self-employed person and the basic concept of employment is being challenged. How new fair standards will be formulated and social security systems will respond to this development will largely depend on policymakers and the influence of related social actors.

Information and communication technologies have enabled governments and institutions to extend coverage through reducing barriers in access to social security, customize payment methods and more accurately and efficiently address the specific needs of various groups through flexibly adapting processes to their respective circumstances. In particular, going beyond more traditional automation approaches, more recent ICT innovations have focussed on facilitating the potential of enhanced information flows and data analysis both within and across organizations.

This Technical Seminar will continue the discussion initiated for the region during the Regional Social Security Forums in 2017 by addressing the influence of the new technologies both on individuals/insured persons and for social security institutions. It will look both at the need for appropriate regulations as well as the ways to fully achieve the benefits from embracing technological innovations.

The Technical Seminar will take place on 25 and 26 October 2018 at:

FGV Botafogo
Praia de Botafogo 190, Botafogo,
BR-22250-900 Rio de Janeiro
Brazil

The Technical Seminar is open to all ISSA member organizations from the Americas region as well as from the Portuguese speaking countries. The working languages will be English, Portuguese and Spanish and simultaneous interpretation in these languages will be provided.