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futures:inequality [2023/06/06 23:03] – sarah.wheelerfutures:inequality [2023/06/07 22:44] (current) – sarah.wheeler
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 ======Inequality====== ======Inequality======
 =====Summary===== =====Summary=====
-The existence of inequality feels so accepted it’s almost ignored. A fact of life that’s hiding just around the corner of most conversations, any moment at risk of bubbling over into unrest and dysfunction. Often the notion of equality wasn’t explicitly mentioned in the research, equity even less so. This could be due to when reports were written, or due to a perception that inequality is social and less central to industry conversations. Regardless, it touches all aspects of life.  +Inequality is deeply ingrained in society, impacting various aspects of life. It is often overlooked or ignored, but its effects can lead to unrest and dysfunction. Research has not always explicitly addressed equality or equity, potentially due to the timing or industry focus. However, inequality permeates all spheres. 
-  + 
-Millions of people suffer from unequal distribution of, and access to, resources. Due to infrastructure, location, race, religion, or policy things like education, employment opportunities, housing, health care, food, water, and energy are inequitably and unequally doled out. These unequal distribution of benefits can lead to social and economic drivers of crime, less cohesive populations, increased polarization, and counter trends like “immigrant hostility and rising white nationalism”. The collective social understanding of concepts is shifting negatively and positively. Shared goals, ideas, and narratives are realigning, many toward trends where equity and equality conversations are increasingly valued, buoyed by emerging social justice/equity movements.  +Millions of people experience unequal access to resources such as education, employment, housing, healthcare, and basic necessities due to factors like infrastructure, location, race, religion, or policy. These disparities can contribute to social and economic issues, including crime, polarization, and counter trends like xenophobia and nationalism. The collective understanding of equity and equality is evolving, propelled by emerging social justice movements. 
-  + 
-Inequality is not just a social issue, it exists between businesses, between nations, and it impacts development and economic growth from micro to macro scales. Inter-and intra-nationally, inequality is rising, and the impacts aren’t localized; one region’s relative equality can be reliant upon varying global conditions. When a country’s population heavily relies on funds sent home from citizens working abroad, immigration laws in the host country can negatively impact economic growth of developing economies. Or when the economy of an area is maintained by a dominant industry, it increases the vulnerability of those populations to events, like extreme weather, that limit or shut down their economy.  +Inequality extends beyond social realms and affects businesses, nations, and overall development and economic growth. Inequality is rising globally, with the impacts transcending local boundaries. Efforts by governments and businesses to address equity and equality can be perceived as mere superficial gestures. Exclusion of key stakeholders and affected communities perpetuates the status quo and narrow eligibility criteria, favoring privileged groups. The differences in ideas, legislation, and application span multiple realities, making it challenging to strike a balance between benefits and negative impacts. Progress and regress often coexist, and decisions in one area or industry have ripple effects. 
-  + 
-Increasingly, the attempts of governments and businesses to improve equity or equality are perceived as box-ticking exercises and it’s not hard to imagine why. When key players and affected communities aren’t allowed a seat at the table, leaders and elites are more incentivized to maintain their status quo, privilege, and governments and organizations “are often motivated to keep eligibility criteria narrow to limit the population to which the requirement applies”. (Record 485) The differences between ideas, how they’re legislated, and applied often span a range of realities. Navigating how to balance benefits and negative impacts is a challenge almost everyone can relate to. A step forward doesn’t always mean a reduction in inequality. When solutions are proposed in one area or industry or community, the repercussions of those decisions have ripple effects. +Visible and invisible structures sustain and amplify inequality in society, governments, and businesses. Achieving an equitable balance will benefit individuals, nations, and businesses alike. 
-  +
-Visible and invisible structures perpetuate, reinforce, and amplify the effects and existence of inequality in our society, our governments, and our businesses. “Progress and regress go hand in hand” (record?) and finding an equitable balance will benefit individuals, nations, and business alike. +
  
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 ====Thinking MENA Futures: The Next Five Years and Beyond==== ====Thinking MENA Futures: The Next Five Years and Beyond====
-[[library:thinking_mena_futures_the_next_five_years_and_beyond|Thinking MENA Futures: The Next Five Years and Beyond]] by the [[encyclopedia:middle_east_institute|Middle East Institute]] is a series of essays looking at the next 5 years (2021-2026) for the Middle East and North Africa.+[[library:thinking_mena_futures_the_next_five_years_and_beyond|Thinking MENA Futures: The Next Five Years and Beyond]] by the [[encyclopedia:middle_east_institute|Middle East Institute]] is a series of essays looking at the next 5 years (2021-2026) for the Middle East and North Africa. One of these essays looks at the rights of women and claims that "inequality remains the greatest impediment to regional progress."
  
 ====Equitable Future Mobility==== ====Equitable Future Mobility====
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 ====A Circular Water Future: White Paper on Water Reuse==== ====A Circular Water Future: White Paper on Water Reuse====
-[[library:a_circular_water_future_white_paper_on_water_reuse|A Circular Water Future: White Paper on Water Reuse]] by ARUP discusses the concept of a circular water future and presents strategies for achieving sustainable water management. It emphasizes the importance of circular economy principles, such as water reuse, recycling, and resource recovery, to address water scarcity and pollution challenges.+[[library:a_circular_water_future_white_paper_on_water_reuse|A Circular Water Future: White Paper on Water Reuse]] by ARUP discusses the concept of a circular water future and presents strategies for achieving sustainable water management. It emphasizes the importance of circular economy principles, such as water reuse, recycling, and resource recovery, to address water scarcity and pollution challenges. Unequal access to infrastructure is listed as one of the 'challenges of water reuse'.
  
  
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-=====Discussion=====+~~DISCUSSION~~
 =====Further Reading===== =====Further Reading=====
 +<span #categories_box> Categories:  </span>
 =====Citations===== =====Citations=====
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Last modified: 2023/06/06 23:03 by sarah.wheeler