21 REDUCE INEQUALITY WITHIN AND AMONG COUNTRIES
Age, sex, ability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion and socio-economic status are all important aspects of our identity. However, in many ways, our identity can impact our income, along with our political, social and economic participation in daily life. Goal 10 is all about reducing these inequalities to encourage prosperity and income growth within and between countries. We can achieve this by making sure our attitudes, policies and behaviors ensure equal opportunities, respect for human rights and inclusivity.
Learning Objectives
- Learners will understand inequality, how to measure it, and its interrelation with other social problems.
- Learners will understand the local, national and international processes that promote and hinder equality, such as fiscal, wage and social protection policies or corporate activities.
- Learners will be able to raise awareness about inequalities in their community and abroad, while showing solidarity with people who are discriminated against.
- Learners will be able to evaluate inequalities in terms of quality and quantity, while identifying causes and strategies to reduce them.
Essential Questions
Book: by Julie Andrzejewski: Human Relations
Test Yourself for Hidden Bias
https://www.tolerance.org/professional-development/test-yourself-for-hidden-bias
How to check your unconscious bias – Dr Jennifer Eberhardt (You Tube)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egw-iheD1Mc
Media (Identification of Value/Biases):
How does the media report on inequalities?
Environment
How does environmental degradation unequally impact people or countries?
Poverty, wealth and power
What are some contributors to the poverty cycle in your local community? How can we balance inequalities of power between nations?
Indigenous Peoples
How do Indigenous individuals and communities experience inequality and what is being done to address it?
Oppression and genocide
What are some examples of genocide that resulted from or have led to inequalities?
Health and biotechnology
How is biotechnology addressing inequalities in health? What are the barriers to implementing these programs?
Gender politics
How has feminism addressed inequalities of gender? What can be done in the future to address current gender inequalities?
Social justice and human rights
What are some historical events of inequality that have led to advances in social justice and human rights? How can we take action on social justice issues today?
Peace and conflict
How do inequalities result in conflict? How have people overcome these conflicts to address peace and equality?
Overview of The Goal
Why does Reducing Inequalities matter?
We all deserve to live in a world where everyone is treated equally regardless of our gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, economic status, where we live, or who we love. But inequality has existed throughout human history, so we have a lot of work to do if we want to see a world where fairness rules and everyone has the same chance to thrive.
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” – Nelson Mandela
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What would the world look like if all people were treated equally?
What examples of inequality have you witnessed or experienced?
What is the lasting impact of inequality?
Why is “Reduced Inequalities” one of the Global Goals?
Why aren’t people treated equally?
What will need to happen to meet the goal of reduced inequalities by the year 2030?
We all deserve to live in a world where everyone is treated equally regardless of our gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, economic status, where we live, or who we love. But inequality has existed throughout human history, so we have a lot of work to do if we want to see a world where fairness rules and everyone has the same chance to thrive.
Ways of Looking at Inequality
There are many different ways to think about inequality. People are treated differently based on their race, gender, economic status, country of origin, just to name a few. Below are a few possible
INEQUALITY BETWEEN NATIONS
According to the UN, “the average income of some of the poorest families in more than 50 countries… grew faster than their national averages.” Despite this decrease of income inequality within countries, inequalities between countries still exists.
Discussion Questions
What would the world look like if all people were treated equally?
What examples of inequality have you witnessed or experienced?
What is the lasting impact of inequality?
Why is “Reduced Inequalities” one of the Global Goals?
Why aren’t people treated equally?
What will need to happen to meet the goal of reduced inequalities by the year 2030?
Handout on this SDG.
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/10.pdf
Learning Activities
YouTube: Being Black by Jane Elliott
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yrg7vV4a5o
Website for Research: Race: Are we So Different? tolerance.org
https://www.tolerance.org/moment/racism-and-police-violence
TED Talk: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie· TED Global 2009 “The danger of a single story”
https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story
Website for Research: Articles, Data, and Videos on reducing inequalities
https://app.gatheriq.analytics/goal/10
Website for Research: Telenor Group:
Telenor has aligned its sustainability agenda with the UN Sustainability Development Goals. There is one goal in particular where Telenor can deliver the greatest impact, Goal #10: Reduced Inequalities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-TLUOLMb30&feature=emb_rel_pause
Websites for Research: INEQUALITY BETWEEN NATIONS
According to the UN, “the average income of some of the poorest families in more than 50 countries… grew faster than their national averages.” Despite this decrease of income inequality within countries, inequalities between countries still exists.
- See how the rest of the world lives, organized by income
- Global Inequality
- How economic inequality harms societies
Websites for Research: EQUITY AND EQUALITY
These two words are often used interchangeably, but there is a distinct difference between them. Which is more fair: treating everyone the same or ensuring that everyone has what they need to thrive?
- What is ‘equity’ in education?
- Big Ideas: Equity, Inequity, Equality & Inequality
- Equity vs. Equality: 6 Steps Toward Equity
Websites for Research: UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
In 1948, the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which outlines basic rights and freedoms that all people should have. Why are rights like this important?
- If The World Were 100 People
- Inequality and Health
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Reducing inequality is a moral imperative
Websites for Research: TECHNOLOGY AND INEQUALITY
There is a gap in technology access within and across communities and countries. How does this divide impact the lives and futures of the people living without access to technology?
- Closing the research gap between Africa and the rest of the world
- Rural America Is Building Its Own Internet Because No One Else Will
- The U.S. Has Shocking Internet Access Disparity, But That Can Change
Websites for Research: Look for the Helpers
Check out the stories below of people taking action to address issues equality in their communities and around the world:
- Jane Elliot
- Nelson Mandela
- Nelson Mandela Day
- Marley Dias
- 5-Minute Film Festival: Talking About Race and Stereotypes
Games: Walk a mile: Building empathy through games
Intergroup Monopoly: Hack the traditional board game with this new spin. Then check out this cool story about the origins of Monopoly as a tool to teach about economic inequality.
Parable of the Polygons: Play this simple game to understand how human emotions stand in the way of true integration.
Website for Research: Statistical data on reducing inequalities
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/SDG_10_-_Reduced_inequalities
Website for Research: Oxfam’s 5 shocking facts about extreme global inequality and how to even it up
https://www.oxfam.org/en/5-shocking-facts-about-extreme-global-inequality-and-how-even-it
Website Article: From The Atlantic online magazine, “How Public Schools Can Fight Back Against Inequality”
Websites with Articles, Quizzes, Data on Reducing Inequalities
https://app.gatheriq.analytics/goal/10
Videos
Videos on Reducing Inequalities
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=30&v=WLgGLINPUM8&feature=emb_title
This is what inequality looks like | Johnny Miller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpfMMKT_4jw&feature=emb_rel_pause
General overview on Reducing Inequalities
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HZ1HdLZzEs&feature=emb_rel_pause
Born a girl in the wrong place | Khadija Gbla
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4n0zcsdoN0&feature=emb_rel_pause
Black In Bend: Being An Extreme Minority In Suburbia | Anyssa Bohanan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC5EMHDpZlE&feature=emb_rel_pause
No. You Cannot Touch My Hair! | Mena Fombo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLQzz75yE5A&feature=emb_rel_pause
Understanding My Privilege | Sue Borrego
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlRxqC0Sze4&feature=emb_rel_pause
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Further Research and Activities
Assessment and Reflection
Activity: Perspective taking
Imagining how another feels versus imagining how you would feel.
Batson, C. D., Early, S., & Salvarani, G. (1997). Perspective taking: Imagining how another feels versus imagining how you would feel. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 23(7), 751–758.
Reflection Journal: Diversity is a Strength, not a Threat.
Quote: “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” Maya Angelou
Quote: “If I did something wrong, communicate. If I hurt your feelings, make me aware. If I didn’t listen well enough, tell me again in a way I’ll understand...But don’t hold an attitude with me because you haven’t clearly expressed yourself. I am human, not a mind reader.” Sylvester McNutt III
Quote: “My attitude is a result of your actions! So if you don’t like my attitude, blame yourself.” Unknown
- Describe the learning activities (articles, videos, etc.) and your experience – What did you do/hear/see?
- Interpret and evaluate the events from your perspective – What do I think about it now? How does it relate to other things that I know?
- Explain your experience; reveal your new insights, connections with other learning, your hypotheses, and your conclusions.
- Reflect on how this information will be useful to you – What questions do I have? Have I changed how I think about the situation? Where do I go from here?
- What did you particularly value and why?
- Is there anything you would do in the next unit? What have you learned? What will you do with these lessons?
Renewable Assignment Options
Show your solidarity. Discrimination comes in a variety of forms and we all experience it differently. Show your support for individuals and communities facing inequalities by learning about their history, their struggle and their activism. Listen to their stories and offer your time and talent to help bring equality to their reality. In this case, many hands make strong work.
Support capacity building. If you are interested in donating to charity or supporting humanitarian work in your community or abroad, look for opportunities that build individual and community capacity. Projects that help build self-sufficiency and the ability for people to provide for themselves are more sustainable and empowering. Providing a “band-aid,” or short-term solution, doesn’t help communities develop income equality in the long term.
Pitch it to the media. If you see inequalities in your community, and want to get more attention on the issue, pitch it to the media. Tell them your angle and the who, what, when, where, why and how their attention could help improve this issue.
Get vocal. If you see inequalities and want to address them, raise your voice and draw attention to the issues. Write a letter to the editor, your member of parliament, call in to a radio show or give a speech at your school or community events. Tell the world what the issues are, what you’re asking, and how their support can help.
Learn about inequality in your community. How are people in your community experiencing the effects of inequality? How might differing levels of abilities or levels of access to services affect you or others in your community? How might it affect others around the world? How can our community reduce discrimination? Take action based on what you discover!
Start a social justice or equality group. Discover issues where your effort and energy can be put to good use. Find out who is working on these issues in your community and learn more through volunteering, interviews or fundraising.
Research your local politician’s actions and statements. What is their position on disability issues and inequality? Find out what’s happening now in your community and Canada. Join the discussion by calling or writing your government representatives and encouraging them to take action.
Evaluate the books in your classroom library. Take a look at who is represented and who is left out. How can you make your classroom or school library more diverse?
- Classroom Library Assessment: How Culturally Responsive Is Your Library?
- Having Students Analyze Our Classroom Library To See How Diverse it is
- Where’s The Color In Kids’ Lit? Ask The Girl With 1,000 Books (And Counting)
Explore what being an upstander means with your students. Start an anti-bullying campaign in your school to encourage everyone to be an upstander.
- Be an Upstander
- 5-Minute Film Festival: Turning Bystanders Into Upstanders Against Bullying
- Not In Our School
Learn about the history of race in your community with your students. Create a walking tour, monument or art installation to spread the information you learned to others.
Advocate for fairness for all in your community by contacting your representative. Have students write them a letter explaining what they think should be changed.
