P30311 Theory of Practice: Approaches and Understandings Essay Assignment II 2013
Nuhidayah Ab Razak | 13022652
“Social Justice based on the values of fairness, equality and respect for diversity is more important than ever amid a global financial and economic crisis” Ban Ki Moon, Secretary-General, United Nations.
Introduction This essay seeks to explore how this link be built between social diversity and equality through thorough assessment of practical means of executing social justice. In doing so, alternative explanations are explored where they exist; identify problems that arise and also possible solutions to create concrete linkages where they are unclear. Inequality is an element that construct the core of the current economic climate as many of the elements discussed in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are directly or intrinsically addressing the importance of implying fairness and mutual obligation in society and members are responsible for one another, and that we should ensure that all have equal access to reaching their best capacity as described by the Action and Research Centre (RSA, 2008). These values are fundamental, and the disregard would not only hamper the larger ambitions crafted for the benefit of societies which constituents are of diverse nature, but also create a possibility that the goals would not be reached altogether. It is important to recognise the undercurrents that carry across the values of shared responsibility, freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance and respect which has been identified in much more clarity in recent years through the consolidation of rights based approach and the pursuance of a life of dignity for all. Furthermore, equalising opportunity is fundamental to the human development goal. Diversity equality introduces a new dimension to the development agenda that are far-reaching beyond the current acceptable global and national disparities are. This approach recognises that the solution may not be to target the mass but address the voids which often call for much more attention than ordinary circumstances. Efforts that aim to be relevant and contemporary, as well as parallel with the other major development goals; should inherently do more to listen to the voices that often go unheard.
I.
Identifying Links
One of the major links of how diversity affects development is how social movements have put equality on their agenda. Although government plays a major role in disaster planning and response, traditional government emergency agencies are not equipped to respond to the essential services needed by people with a variety of functional needs (Kailes and Enders, 2006, p16). The Gulf state events confirm what has been recognised for decades – traditional response and recovery systems are often not successful at meeting many human needs (National Council on Disability 2005, National Organisation on Disability 2001). Economists, such as Professor Joseph Stiglitz of the former Chief Economist at the World Bank has long predicted, austerity has only crippled Europe’s growth, with improvements in fiscal positions that are always disappointing. Worse, it is contributing to inequality that will make economic weakness longer-lived, and needlessly contributes to the suffering of the jobless and the poor for many years. Oxfam’s report, A Cautionary Tale: The true cost of austerity and inequality in Europe, makes an important contribution to assessing the high and long-lasting costs of these ill-conceived policies (Cavero, Poinasamy & Krisnah, Oxfam, 2013, p2). These influential organisations have carefully created agendas that can be mobilised with support of formal bodies such as the United Nations and local governments. Recognised and formal bodies can benefit largely from these means, and tap into their energy,