Mark
Tran from guardian.co.uk wrote an article about the United Nations’
developmental plans for the future and how tackling inequality is vital. Helen
Clark who is the chairwoman of the United Nations Development Group has
contributed her voice to address inequality in debates that should follow the
millennium development goals. Helen Clark had a talk at the Overseas
Development Institute in London about how inequality has emerged as a key issue
in the United Nations consolations. "Inequality is so important. There is
a strong feeling among disadvantaged groups that their story is hidden in
aggregate figures." Clark is saying that when the United Nations make
development plans they need to take the disadvantaged groups into consideration
because they are often overlooked. “Her comments came ahead of an international
conference in Copenhagen next week on inequality, part of a series
of global
thematic consultations led by the UN, which will feed into the
report of the high-level panel, set up by UN general secretary Ban Ki-moon. A report released ahead of
Copenhagen said a self-standing goal on inequalities should be included in any
new targets.” This report stated that these new targets should not be limited
to economic inequalities but should also address other key dimensions such as
gender inequalities and discrimination. These future developments are going to
be focused on the most disadvantage groups. However, development experts seem
to believe that economic growth without addressing inequalities can be a recipe
for disaster. It is important to address inequalities when there is economic
growth because in able for a country or region to grow economically their must
be an understanding of the inequalities so a particular issue can be solved.
The Asian Development Bank is planning to shift its priorities from
infrastructure to health and education because growth without adequate social
protection programs like health insurance and access to school can damage a
country’s social cohesion.
Helen
Clark cited China’s plan to raise the minimum wage to 40% of average urban
salaries by 2015 as an example of measures taken to tackle rising inequality.
The United Nation’s report on inequalities said submissions argued that social
protection is not only affordable but it is a cost-effective way to tackle
poverty and protect families against risks and shocks. This report also cited
programs in countries such as Mexico and Brazil that marginalized indigenous
people. On the subject of gender inequality, Clark said that there were two
views on how to make up for the lack of progress. First make it a goal in its
own right and second integrate it into the whole framework. The United
Kingdom’s international development secretary Justine Greening has an issue with
the rights of women and girls. Last month the minister Michelle Bachelet called
on the international community to act on violence, against women. However, in a
speech that was given last week, Greening did not mention inequality or
inclusive growth when she outlined her priorities for the Department for
International Development. Also, the prime minister, David Cameron said that
economic growth was the priority rather than inequality. The high level panel
is scheduled to submit its report to the UN secretary general in May and after
that the attention will shift to a UN working group representing 30 countries
and comprised of 70 members who are focusing on sustainable development.
In
order to tackle inequality the UN must target underprivileged across the world
and come up with a system that will get rid of specific inequalities.Article Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2013/feb/13/inequality-development-targets-helen-clark
No comments:
Post a Comment