Around the world, the gap between the richest and the rest of society has reached extremes not seen in a century. The global inequality crisis is undermining efforts to end poverty, racial and class-based discrimination, advance women’s rights, defend the environment, protect human rights and democracy, prevent conflict, and promote fair and dignified employment.
We have an unacceptable concentration of wealth and power in the hands of elites, whilst hundreds of millions fight to survive. Together we will raise the voices of grassroots ‘Sparks of Hope’ who are fighting the root causes of inequality, and joining together in alliance to build more equal peaceful and just societies, and identify how we can each take steps towards freedom with equality.
This event, co-hosted by The Elders, the Fight Inequality Alliance, and Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity, honoured grassroots efforts around the world to turn around the inequality crisis.
Panelist
Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland
Gro Harlem Brundtland was the first woman Prime Minister of Norway, serving for more than 10 years over three terms until 1996. Following this she was Director-General of the World Health Organization from 1998-2003 and UN Special Envoy on Climate Change from 2007-2010. She is a member of the Elders serving as Deputy Chair from 2013-2018, and is an Honorary Fellow of LSE.
Panelist
Hector Castañón
Hector Castañón is co-founder of the Assembly on Poverty and Inequalities in México and of the Fight Inequality Alliance in Mexico. He holds a PhD in Social Anthropology (CIESAS, Guadalajara). He is a graduate of the Program of Advanced Studies in Environment and Development of the College of Mexico and fellow of LEAD international. Castañón has worked with NGOs, universities, local governments and international organizations on topics related to inclusive urban development, training for community development and sustainability, civic participation, youth engagement and marginalized communities.
Panelist
Aya Chebbi
Aya Chebbi (@aya_chebbi) is an award winning pan-African feminist activist and blogger. She is the co-founder of The Voice of Women Initiative (feminist collective) and founding chair of the Afrika Youth Movement. She was the first ever African Union Special Envoy on Youth (2018-2021).
Panelist
Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon is a former UN Secretary-General, former South-Korean Foreign Minister, diplomat and the Deputy Chair of the Elders. He sought to give voice to the world’s poorest and vulnerable people by putting Sustainable Development Goals, climate change, and gender equality at the top of the UN agenda.
Panelist
Graça Machel
Graça Machel is a women’s and children's rights advocate; former freedom fighter and the first Education Minister of Mozambique. She is a founding member of The Elders with her late husband, Nelson Mandela. In October 2018, Graça Machel was appointed Deputy Chair of The Elders, together with Ban Ki-moon.
Panelist
Njoki Njoroge Njehu
Njoki Njoroge Njehu is the Co-founder & Executive Director of Daughters of Mumbi Global Resource Center, an independent non-ethnic, non-partisan Nairobi-based network.is a committed grassroots organizer/mobilizer and activist. Her first activism and advocacy lessons were from her mother, Lilian Njehû, a community and church-based activist who continues to inspire her to fight for justice. A Pan-Africanist, feminist, and popular educator, Ms. Njehû’s expertise includes women’s land rights, gender justice, community rights, and environmental justice.
Panelist
Dr Wanda Wyporska
Wanda Wyporska (@WandaWyporska) is the Executive Director at The Equality Trust, where she leads the work of the organisation in its mission to improve the quality of life in the UK by reducing social and economic inequality.
Panelist
Ernesto Zedillo
Ernesto Zedillo is a former President of Mexico who led profound democratic and social reforms; a renowned economist; and an advocate of multilateralism, inclusive globalisation, nuclear nonproliferation, drug policy reform and universal healthcare. He is also a member of The Elders.
