Concept, need and importance of Social, Economic and Cultural inclusion
by Yuvi - January 22, 2021
Concept of Social, Economic and Cultural inclusion.
An inclusive society is a society that overrides differences of race, gender, class, generation, geography. They ensure inclusion, equality of opportunity as well as capability of all members of the society to determine an agreed set of social institutions that govern social interaction.
An inclusive society is based on the fundamental human rights value, that is, “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”.
They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
It is a society in which all members, regardless of their backgrounds, are able and motivated to participate in civic, social, economic and political activities.
As a prerequisite, respect for all human rights, freedoms, and the rule of law, both at national and international levels, are fundamental.
Every member of society, no matter what his or her economic resources, political status, or social standing, must be treated equally under the law.
Legal instruments ensure the guiding principles that will guarantee equity, justice and equal opportunities for all citizens.
Violators of human rights should be brought to justice.
The law which serves to protect just societies must be impartial, accountable and inclusive to giving weight to the opinions of those who defend the inclusiveness of the society at the local, regional and national levels.
Maintaining the security of all individuals and their living environment is paramount in creating a feeling of inclusion and an atmosphere of participation in society.
To create and sustain inclusive societies, it is critical that all members of society are able and motivated to participate in civic, social, economic and political activities, both at the local and national levels.
The existence of a strong civil society is fundamental for active participation and making public policies and institutions accountable.
It fosters a respect for the rights, dignity and privileges of all people, while assuming that they fulfill their responsibilities within their society.
There must be freedom for people to express diverse views and develop unconventional unique ideas.
Members of society must have the confidence to engage and interact with each other, and build mutual trust while acknowledging their differences.
Public infrastructure and facilities (such as community centers, recreational facilities, public libraries, resource centers with internet facilities, well maintained public schools, clinics, water supplies and sanitations) must be accessible to all .
It is important to note though, that access alone does not necessarily ensure use of public facilities, as unequal relations within communities and households may inhibit the use of facilities by vulnerable groups.
Addressing the unequal power relations is therefore a necessary step to increase participation.
Information that pertains to the society, such as what a community owns, generates, or benefits from, should be made available to all.
Collective participation, through accepted representations of all classes and backgrounds, in the planning, implementation and evaluation of community activities should be sought after.
Publication/information sharing and increasing the reach of the community’s activities will eliminate doubts and suspicions which could otherwise create a sense of exclusion.
The mass media can be used as an effective tool to educate and enlighten members of society.
Equity in the distribution of wealth and resources is another critical element of inclusive societies.
How the resources are allocated and utilized will significantly affect the orientation of a society, either towards a more integrated, inclusive society, or an exclusive, polarized, and disintegrated one.
Inclusive policies, instructions and programs that are sensitive to and cater to the less advantaged and vulnerable need to be put in place in all areas/sectors, including public health, and effectively implemented.
There is a need for strong monitoring and evaluation tools to demonstrate whether inclusiveness was actually achieved, as well as highlight areas for improvement.
Another dimension of inclusive societies is tolerance for and appreciation of cultural diversity.
This includes societies that celebrate multiple and diverse expressions of identities.
By celebrating diversity, there is a recognition and affirmation of the differences between and among members of society, which enables societies to move away from labeling, categorizing, and classifying people, towards more inclusive policies.
Also, enabling a diversity of opinions provides the checks and balances crucial for the development of society, while allowing for the greatest amount of diverse opinions to enter every discourse.
Particularly for young people, education provides the opportunity to instill values of respect and appreciation of diversity.
At the same time, education can empower those who are marginalized or excluded from participating in discussions and decision-making.
Where leadership is not representative of the society, a disconnection between the people and their leaders may eventually result.
Popular participation in decision-making and policy formulation processes could be sought for at all levels of governance. At the same time, there must be an effort made to achieve transparency and accountability by all decision-makers and stakeholders.
Finally, there is a need to create positive narratives of an inclusive society of the future, and enable each member of society to share, understand and contribute to those narratives. Potent narratives on the future can act like a magnet drawing society towards its envisioned future.
A society with no vision for the future indicates a society in decline.
