Course Details

Universal Basic Income (UBI) and its Implications Training Course

INTRODUCTION

Universal Basic Income (UBI) has emerged as one of the most debated and transformative social protection ideas in recent years, capturing global attention as a potential response to rising inequality, the changing future of work due to automation, and persistent poverty. Defined as a regular, unconditional cash transfer provided to all individuals within a given population, UBI represents a fundamental shift in how societies approach economic security and poverty reduction. This vital training course offers a comprehensive, balanced exploration of the Universal Basic Income concept, its theoretical underpinnings, potential impacts, and practical considerations. Gain the knowledge to critically analyze and engage in informed discussions about UBI through this essential training course.

This comprehensive training course delves into the multifaceted implications of Universal Basic Income, examining arguments both for and against its implementation. Participants will explore potential economic effects on labor markets and inflation, social impacts on health, education, and community life, various design options, complex financing challenges, and crucial evidence emerging from UBI pilot projects across the globe. By completing this training course, you will be equipped with a nuanced understanding of the UBI debate, enabling you to evaluate its feasibility, desirability, and potential role within modern social protection systems.

DURATION

10 days

TARGET AUDIENCE

• Policymakers and government officials (ministries of finance, labor, social welfare, planning)
• Social protection practitioners, analysts, and program managers
• Economists, sociologists, and researchers studying poverty, inequality, and labor markets
• Staff of international development organizations, NGOs, and think tanks
• Journalists, commentators, and communicators covering economic and social policy
• Business leaders, technologists, and futurists interested in the future of work
• Students and academics in public policy, economics, sociology, and political science

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. Define Universal Basic Income (UBI) accurately and distinguish it from other cash transfer and social protection programs.
2. Understand the diverse historical, philosophical, and economic arguments motivating the interest in UBI.
3. Analyze the potential positive and negative economic implications of UBI on labor supply, wages, prices, consumption, and growth.
4. Evaluate the potential social implications of UBI concerning poverty, inequality, health, education, social cohesion, and individual well-being.
5. Identify and compare key design parameters for UBI schemes (e.g., level of universality, benefit amount, frequency, funding source).
6. Critically assess the major challenges and potential strategies associated with financing large-scale UBI programs.
7. Review and interpret the methodologies and key findings from significant UBI pilot projects and experiments conducted worldwide.
8. Engage constructively in evidence-based discussions regarding the overall feasibility, desirability, and political economy of UBI.

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1: What is Universal Basic Income (UBI)?

• Defining UBI: Core principles of universality, unconditionality, regularity, and cash payments for this module.
• Distinguishing UBI from related concepts: Negative Income Tax, Conditional Cash Transfers, Basic Income Guarantees for this module.
• Tracing the historical origins and evolution of the Basic Income idea for this module.
• Understanding the key terminology and typology of different UBI models for this module.
• Situating UBI within the broader landscape of social protection and welfare systems for this module.

Module 2: Theoretical Foundations and Arguments FOR UBI

• Exploring philosophical justifications: Right to subsistence, freedom, equality of opportunity for this module.
• Analyzing arguments related to poverty eradication and reducing income inequality for this module.
• Examining potential positive impacts on health, education, and human capital development for this module.
• Discussing UBI as a potential adaptation strategy for automation and the future of work for this module.
• Investigating claims regarding increased entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and bargaining power for workers for this module.

Module 3: Potential Economic Impacts and Criticisms of UBI

• Analyzing theoretical and empirical evidence on the potential effects of UBI on labor supply and work incentives for this module.
• Assessing potential impacts on wages, inflation, and overall price levels for this module.
• Evaluating arguments concerning consumption patterns, aggregate demand, and economic growth for this module.
• Discussing potential effects on investment, productivity, and innovation for this module.
• Examining criticisms regarding economic inefficiency and resource misallocation for this module.

Module 4: Potential Social Impacts and Considerations

• Evaluating potential effects of UBI on social cohesion, community engagement, and trust for this module.
• Analyzing potential impacts on gender dynamics, unpaid care work, and intra-household resource allocation for this module.
• Discussing potential influences on migration patterns and decisions for this module.
• Examining potential effects on crime rates and social stability for this module.
• Considering the psychological impacts on well-being, dignity, and social inclusion for this module.

Module 5: Designing UBI: Key Policy Choices and Variations

• Exploring different approaches to universality: Who is included/excluded? (citizens, residents, children) for this module.
• Determining the appropriate level of the basic income benefit (poverty line, fraction of median income) for this module.
• Considering the optimal frequency and modality of payments (monthly, annually, digital, cash) for this module.
• Analyzing how UBI might interact with or replace existing welfare benefits and social services for this module.
• Discussing the administrative requirements and delivery infrastructure needed for UBI implementation for this module.

Module 6: The Fiscal Challenge: Financing Universal Basic Income

• Estimating the gross and net costs of different UBI design options for this module.
• Analyzing potential funding sources: progressive taxation, carbon taxes, financial transaction taxes, sovereign wealth funds for this module.
• Evaluating the feasibility of tax reforms needed to finance UBI (e.g., eliminating tax expenditures) for this module.
• Assessing the macroeconomic implications of different financing mechanisms for this module.
• Conducting fiscal space analysis and considering the long-term sustainability of UBI funding for this module.

Module 7: Learning from Experience: UBI Pilots and Experiments

• Reviewing the design and context of major historical and ongoing UBI pilot projects globally (e.g., Finland, Canada, Kenya, USA, India) for this module.
• Analyzing the key findings from these pilots regarding labor market, health, education, and social outcomes for this module.
• Discussing the methodological strengths and limitations of different UBI experiments for this module.
• Interpreting the evidence and its relevance for predicting the effects of large-scale, permanent UBI for this module.
• Identifying knowledge gaps and priorities for future UBI research and experimentation for this module.

Module 8: The Future of UBI: Policy Debates, Politics, and Alternatives

• Analyzing the political economy factors influencing the UBI debate and potential implementation for this module.
• Understanding trends in public opinion and political support for UBI across different countries for this module.
• Discussing the challenges of transitioning from existing welfare systems to UBI for this module.
• Considering alternative policy proposals aimed at similar goals (e.g., enhanced social insurance, job guarantees) for this module.
• Synthesizing the arguments and evidence to engage in informed concluding reflections on the future prospects of UBI for this module.

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com