Accomplishments
IfE’s network of members and partners have had a huge impact in the real world, building relationships between communities and civil society organizations, gathering input, and changing global policy.
(Field Hearings in Bhutan)
“Please make sure that all the spirit of our partners stay together for the rest of the life…. What we have achieved was enormous, normally so-called big INGOs will spend billions of $$ for same, but with less impact. So at the end of the day, we can be really proud of all of us!!!” (Partner in Sri Lanka).
(Field Hearings in Cameroon)
“We should continue to mobilise partners and increase global participation as this initiative exposes a lot of hidden agenda of the less developed and underprivileged community. It should be looked upon as the voice of the voiceless.” (partner in Cameroon).
Building a large, participatory and democratically-governed network
IfE has built a network of members and partners in 132 countries, with more than 300 local organizational partners in over 80 countries to carry out our activities. Field Hearings have been conducted and reported out in 115 communities, amplifying community perspectives on inequalities, economic development, political decision-making, and people’s priorities for action. Read more…
Field Hearings – an unprecedented movement
IfE’s Field Hearings are bringing voices of poor, socially excluded and politically marginalized communities into the global discussion, influencing the new Sustainable Development Goals and other decision-making processes at the national and international levels. This unprecedented movement is the first time so many marginalized communities have been able to speak out collectively to influence policy. Read more…
Community members reveal worsening insecurity and inequality; demand to be consulted
Preliminary Field Hearings results report worsening income insecurity, social breakdown, and environmental degradation. The gap between wealthy and poor is perceived as increasing, and is directly associated with access to decision-making and economic resources – blocking opportunities for marginalized members of the community. All communities express modest and sustainable aspirations, hoping for a future in which basic food, housing, health care, education, and job security needs can be met. Most of all, these community members demand to be consulted, listened to, and in charge of their own development. Read more…
Equity Treaty – global civil society statement puts focus on inequalities
IfE’s Equity Treaty – the world’s first global civil society negotiated statement on inequalities – lists causes and impacts of inequality, and the principles and goals to work towards. It was taken to the Rio+20 Earth Summit in 2012, contributing to the focus on equality as reflected in the Summit’s ‘Outcome Document.’ Read more……
Goal 10 on inequalities alters the world’s development paradigm
After presenting our Field Hearings results to the Open Working Group (OWG) which drafted the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and calling for a goal addressing inequalities, IfE submitted draft text based on a network-wide consultation, then coordinated a large coalition to fight for its inclusion during the negotiations. After much argument and negotiation, the UN General Assembly adopted the SDGs – including Goal 10 on reducing inequalities – in September of 2015. Read more…
Taking on the development agenda through Participatory Monitoring & Accountability
Building on our Field Hearings, IfE is creating a citizen’s monitoring network to monitor progress toward the new SDGs from the perspective of poor communities, and to hold governments accountable for making progress towards the goals. The UN conducted a consultation on participatory monitoring and accountability, inviting IfE to submit a report on our Field Hearings network. In the absence of global funding for implementation and monitoring of the new Goals, IfE and other civil society groups must step up to ensure this happens. Read more…
Shining a light on the relationship between inequality and climate change
IfE helped put inequalities on the map as a key part of the climate change debate through our International Civil Society Call to Address Inequalities and Social Justice in Climate Change Policy. More than 200 organizations from 50 countries co-signed the statement, which makes the case for inequality as a key driver of climate change, and shows how climate change disproportionately harms people who already suffer from marginalization. The Call was presented to the COP21 Paris Climate Summit directly, through national negotiators, and through the news media. Sign on…
Your involvement and support is invited: help us continue to achieve significant progress towards a more equitable world!
Contact IfE: info@initiativeforequality.org