October 10, 2024
By Rehan Piracha
LAHORE
A webinar on global inequality and social justice brought together experts to discuss the pressing issue of rising inequality and the need for urgent action.
Surya Deva, UN Special Rapporteur on Rights to Development, emphasized the multifaceted nature of inequality, highlighting the digital divide, automation, and climate change as key contributing factors.
He called for a systemic approach to address these issues, including reforms to global institutions and a shift towards a more equitable distribution of resources.
“The digital divide is widening, with access to technology becoming a luxury for many,” Deva told participants of the webinar on Growing Inequality and Social Justice.
“Automation, while promising increased efficiency, also threatens widespread job displacement. And the climate crisis is disproportionately affecting marginalized communities, exacerbating existing inequalities,” he added. “The staggering $2.4 trillion military expenditure must be diverted to health and education. A planet-centered approach is crucial for meaningful change,” Deva suggested.
Jenny Ricks, International Coordinator of Fight Inequality Alliance Global, pointed to the growing global movement for social justice, citing examples of protests and grassroots activism in various countries. She stressed the importance of building alternative systems that prioritize the needs of marginalized communities.
“We are living in a time of extreme inequality,” warned Ricks. “Different forms of oppression are intertwined, and people across the world are finding similarities and drawing links. We need to build alternatives to current ruling systems, enabling the most discriminated people to help frame alternative structures.”
“People are rising up against the injustices they face,” Ricks added. “From the student protests in Bangladesh to the ongoing struggle for Palestinian rights, we are witnessing a global awakening. It is time to build a new world, one that is based on solidarity, equality, and justice.”
Dr. Kaiser Bengali, renowned economist from Pakistan, offered a critical analysis of inequality in his country. He argued that inequality has been exacerbated by factors such as land ownership, education disparities, and neo-liberal policies. He emphasized the need for a radical transformation of the system, including challenging prevailing narratives and mobilizing grassroots power.
Dr. Bengali emphasized that poverty is a man-made issue, stating, inequality has fallen by the wayside.
“There is enough for everyone, but not enough for everyone’s greed,” he quoted Mohandas Gandhi. He highlighted Pakistan’s struggles with inequality, citing factors such as feudalism and neo-liberalism. “Feudal lords, social stratification, and neo-liberalism, which created two countries – one for the elite and one for the people. The masses live in one-room apartments, with no privacy, while the rich remain unaffected.”
“Inequality in Pakistan is a deeply rooted problem,” Bengali explained. “Land ownership is concentrated in the hands of a few, while millions struggle to access basic education and healthcare. Neo-liberal policies have further marginalized the poor, creating a two-tiered society. We need to break free from this system and build a more equitable future.”
Dr. Bengali stressed the importance of rebellion and intellectual battles to challenge conformism, saying, “Only rebellion gives us progress. We need to break and challenge the status quo that suits the elites. Climate reparations won’t reach the people; they’ll only enrich the rich.”
The experts concluded that meaningful change requires radical action, intellectual battles, and empowering marginalized communities to build alternative structures. “We need to think rationally and act radically,” Dr. Bengali emphasised. “The transformation must be in the language the people can understand.”
Jenny Ricks added, “People want change now; it’s a matter of life and death. We must support movements and build alternatives to current systems.”
The webinar served as a call to action, urging individuals and organizations to prioritize social justice and address the growing inequality gap. The experts urged governments, civil society organizations, and individuals to work together to create a more just and equitable world.
The webinar’s moderator Farooq Tariq and Husnain Jamil Faridi thanked the experts and participants for attending this important discussion. The webinar was organised by the Asia-Europe People’s Forum. AEPF is an interregional network of progressive social movements and civil society organisations advancing a people’s agenda in Asia-Europe relations, and sharing the common vision of a just, sustainable, and equitable world.