In a recent "Contact" magazine of The University of Queensland, four leading academics were asked what they believed were causes of global inequality. The respondents came from the fields of public health, engineering innovation, sustainable management and a life course centre.
Key points were:
- lack of access to education for all women, education empowers women to deal with adversity in life, and can improve health and economic wellbeing in families and local communities;
- innovation is at the heart of enduring prosperity and where nations, communities and organisations have consistently fostered free enterprise, we see livelihoods of people thrive;
- inequality (deprived needs and unfulfilled capabilities of the vulnerable) has risen with financial sector over-expansion, weak social policies and without the skills to remain useful, people are deprived of opportunities - creating a massive underclass;
- historical processes such as wars, industrialisation, colonisation, as well as current trade arrangements, financial systems and global politics impact inequality between nations, individuals and groups within countries.
Now, 'where and how to' to redress such inequality and disadvantage?
Denise Reghenzani-Kearns PhD