“Resolving All Forms of Inequality” is part of the “Learn & Act” from the Sunhak Peace Prize, which is an educational program designed to introduce diverse approaches to global peace issues. Through this training, we aim to educate young future leaders and provide a learning platform where they can learn and act on various issues shaping our society.
Education contents are produced based on statistical data from various organizations, such as the UN and UNESCO. Teachers can conduct a 60-minute class for their middle school and older students using the teacher’s guide and student worksheets provided on our website.
The following is an introduction to the topic “Resolving All Forms of Inequality.”
Resolving All Forms of Inequality
Source: OXFAM Inequality Report 2020
Approximately 2,100 people have more than $1 billion in assets worldwide. The sum of their fortune is known to be close to $8.7 trillion. That’s about $500 billion more than the total wealth of 4.6 billion people in the bottom 60%. As such, inequality is occurring in various fields such as medical care, welfare, education, and the financial situation in the global village.
What is inequality?
Inequality refers to a state of uneven distribution due to discrimination. People worldwide suffer from poverty, crime, and diseases caused by inequality, and they are constantly occurring worldwide through issues such as gender, health care, and wealth. For example, difference in wage according to gender is prominent, and infant mortality rate varies greatly depending on national circumstances.
You can learn about the state of inequality as reported by the United Nations and OXFAM in more detail through the educational resources we provide!
Why did global inequality arise?
There are many causes of global inequality. Due to the unstable political situation, the developing countries are getting poorer, or the general public is not receiving the benefits they need due to various types of corruption. In addition, the poor economic structure is maintained due to the vicious cycle of poverty caused by the low level of education, an obstacle to national growth.
What is the most important task to tackle all forms of inequality?
Addressing global inequality requires equitable and inclusive policies. In particular, it is necessary to expand public services so that everyone can lead a humane life. In addition, fair taxes should be levied on the rich so that those taxes can be used evenly among the socially disadvantaged.
Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway, Bill Gates, and other billionaires are helping charities work effectively through The Giving Pledge. Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk also participated in this pledge.
In addition, the World Bank is actively researching to reduce poverty in developing countries and promote common prosperity in the global village. The Marshall Burke team, Josh Silver, and others are putting ideas into action to tackle inequality through projects such as “Economy sizing by the strength of light” and “Glasses for the Poor.”
Global inequality aggravating due to COVID-19
The wealth gap is widening due to COVID-19. More than 70% of the population has been vaccinated at least once in developed countries, whereas the vaccination rate in developing countries is only 3%. These viruses make the lives of the vulnerable even more difficult. Due to the pandemic, it is difficult for them to earn a minimum income to sustain their livelihood, and there are many setbacks in the food supply.
Source : AFP
It also predicts that it will take a long time for the vulnerable, compared to the rich and the middle class, to recover from the damage caused by the coronavirus (OXFAM 2021 report). The world is suffering from COVID-19, and it is important to think about these vulnerable people’s suffering and what we can do to stop the vicious cycle caused by the pandemic.
http://sunhakpeaceprize.org/en/learn/learn_act.php
