Why Wealth Inequality Matters

In our daily work, we speak with advantaged and disadvantaged across the world. People who stopped pointing fingers and started taking action, and people in search of the right moment and cause.

The question we ask them is: WHY do we have to act? While answers can vary, the bottom line remains the same: because it is the right thing to do.

As simple as that.

Inequality operates like debt

Thuli Madonsela, former Public Protector of South Africa and human rights activist

As human beings, we all aim for safety and peace in our life. Whether we are more extroverted and made to be gregarious and connected, or whether we lean more to the introverted side: We all long for a society in which relationships are based on trust and mutual collaboration. A society in which everyone has the means to contribute his/her best for the whole community to flourish.

Such a scenario becomes viable when everybody within the community can access the basic assets and equal opportunities to live healthily, learn, contribute, prosper and grow.

Inequality is an injustice, and it hurts the dignity of the poor and the rich. It is unhealthy for us.

Ben Phillips, International Civil Society Activist

Quite simply, inequalities are a severe threat to economic growth, social and political stability. If humankind yields to the current trends in wealth inequality, societies cannot flourish.

On the contrary, it is proven that greater income equality can increase the duration of countries’ economic growth spells more than free trade, low government corruption, foreign investment, or low foreign debt.^[1]

In today’s world, we are all interconnected. But divided, we lose. When we share the burdens rather than leaving them to the disadvantaged, we grow strong to mutually tackle the challenges we face. Only then can we confront the threats of climate change, the pandemic and other global challenges. Reducing wealth inequality is a necessity for us to succeed – both within a country and internationally.

While key structural solutions belong to policymakers, multi-stakeholders’ actions and networks have a key role to play. The Wealth Inequality Initiative’s goal is to awaken interest, circulate knowledge, mobilise stakeholders and drive action against wealth inequality.

We believe in the power of network and collaboration and want to inspire change through the lives and learnings of role models who are making the difference.

We cannot achieve sustainable development and make the planet better for all if people are excluded from opportunities, services, and the chance for a better life.

United Nations

A Lifelong Fight for Social Justice

Changemakers' Talk with Thuli Madonsela

A Lifelong Fight for Social Justice

Thuli Madonsela has been dedicating her life to advance social justice in South Africa, the country ranking 1st for inequality worldwide.

In our first Wealth Inequality Initiative podcast, Thuli Madonsela comments on the situation of wealth inequality in South Africa, her recommendations to her students for effective change and the most urgent issues in tackling the wealth disparities. She cautions: “poverty operates like an epidemic”.

Connection Comes from Contribution

Komala Pillay on Why Tackling Wealth Inequality Is Also Enriching for the Privileged

Connection Comes from Contribution

In South Africa – one of the most unequal countries in the world – 50% of children do not have any educational degree. The organisation ‘Partner for Possibilities’ (PfP) couples business leaders with school principals from underprivileged areas to address challenges in their school. Programme Director Komala Pillay explains how the PfP-approach goes beyond education to address the wealth gap and why the feeling of connection is vital for the survival of a nation.

You Can’t Just Keep Pointing Fingers

Oliver Rust on Why Tackling Wealth Inequality Starts with You

You Can’t Just Keep Pointing Fingers

«Jojoba for Namibia Trust» empowers women in desert areas to run their own Jojoba plantation and establish themselves as vendors of prime quality jojoba seed oil to the European cosmetics industry.