Everyone needs access to social security, in whatever society one lives. Children need financial support from society to help their families cope with the cost of education and health care. Workers need protection against the risk of loss of income because of incapacity for work. This may be for short periods of unemployment or sickness or maternity or for a longer time due to invalidity or employment injury. Employers and enterprises need social security for a productive workforce. Pensioners need income security for a satisfactory and fulfilling retirement. Society needs social security for stable labour relations. Social security helps create a positive attitude towards structural and technical change as well as to the challenges of globalization and its potential benefits.

Most countries, however, will have to work towards the gradual development of adequate social security provisions to match these needs. This is most likely in the developing countries where the needs are greatest and where the majority of the labour force is obliged to rely on employment in the informal economy. In 2001, during the International Labour Conference, Governments, employers' and workers' organizations reached a new consensus on social security. They concluded that social security is an important tool to reduce poverty and to promote social and economic development. If properly managed, it enhances productivity by providing health care, income security and social services and it is a necessary complement to globalization and structural adjustment policies. The International Labour Conference considered that the highest priority should be given to "policies and initiatives, which can bring social security to those who are not covered by existing systems". It therefore asked the International Labour Organization to launch a global campaign on social security and coverage for all.