A shared society is one in which individuals share an equal capacity to participate in economic, political and social opportunities regardless of their religion, ethnic or linguistic group, and where as a consequence relations between groups are peaceful. The costs of social divisions, and of missing out on the shared society dividend may be significant and the ultimate consequences for the sustainability of human economic and social life, devastating. Despite this strong case, too many states are hampered by social divisions and characterized by intolerance, racism, marginalization and persecution of groups.
In this light the Club de Madrid in collaboration with the Maastricht School of Management (MsM) will convene a two day workshop to review and consolidate the current state of knowledge on the impact of shared societies on economic performance and advance understanding of the underlying dynamics of that relationship.
Topics:
- The workshop intends to cover, inter alia, the following topics
- The definition and measurement of a ‘shared society’
- Can a shared society index be constructed and what can it tell us?
- What is the relationship between shared societies and its various measures (e.g. social cohesion, social capital) and economic growth and development?
- What are the non-material benefits of shared societies?
- What are the contribution of migrants to economic growth and development?
- How does discrimination affect a society’s economic prospects?
- What are the effects of marginalization of minorities?
- How does women’s full participation in economic activities contribute to human wellbeing?
- What are the economic costs of conflict and war?
- How much does a shared society contribute to greater fiscal resource mobilization?
- Can shared societies adapt better in the face of climate change?
- Are shared societies less vulnerable and more resilient, for instance in the face of natural or man-made disasters including economic shocks and speculation? What will be the fallout from the global financial crisis for equitable development and social divisions?
- How can political change in the Middle East be supported to build shared societies?