Approaches to Equity: Overview, Theory Paper and Abstracts

Spotlight on Foundations and Researchers

In February 2014, Equity for Children launched its second phase of research concerning key stakeholders’ views about equity. For the first time, foundations and philanthropists will be interviewed about why and how they are engaging with equity. This research recognizes the growing contribution by private organizations to social welfare and poverty reduction in the post-2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) era.  Although a number of MDGs have been met, others have not and none of them considered equity. Therefore, the international community will most likely continue supporting a global social agenda for children in the coming years, placing a greater emphasis this time on measuring and closing social gaps. In addition, Phase 2 of Equity for Children’s research will feature interviews and concepts from renowned researchers around the world who are working to eliminate poverty and achieve equity.

The research in Phase 2 addressed the following thought-provoking questions, among other topics:

• • How do foundations, philanthropists and researchers view equity and contribute through their thinking and actions to advance equity for children?
• • What key recommendations will positively impact policy, programming and research?
• • What, from their experience, addresses inequities most efficiently?

By gathering a diverse set of answers to these questions and others, we wish to provide an overview about current thinking and best practice in the field.  We will explore diverse perspectives in order to push forward equity on the public agenda.

This new research phase builds upon resources and voices of major international organizations, which have been a focal point for change in the area of human development in the past.

 

Shedding light on the perspectives of researchers and foundations is crucial,
as they are key actors who promote equity for children.
Foundations and philanthropists have the ability to influence the agendas of governments and development organizations. Their research funds cutting edge work in the field.  Phase 2 of our work will assess and clarify how foundations think about equity when considering their general agenda and how this is reflected in the way they shape their priorities and their spending. We will also discuss the actual impact that these grants have had on decreasing inequities for children: the challenges the organizations face, the strategies they have utilized and measurement thus far that have achieved the highest impact.

Researchers contribute to this important discussion by enabling others to better understand how to improve children’s lives. Researchers play a crucial role by reflecting on existing programs, systems and policies and by providing evidence-based guidance and theoretical frameworks.  Equity for Children’s research examines the concepts and frameworks that development researchers currently use to describe social inequities, along with how they view current equity and equality concepts.

We invite you to participate.

The process of selecting and displaying relevant information about equity for children is ongoing.  We invite all our readers and followers to send us information about new equity approaches, experiences, evidence of impact and theories.  The current core team of researchers leading the project includes Executive Director Alberto Minujin, Director of Programs and Research Günay Salazar, and Research Assistant Ismael Cid.

• Download the Theory Paper: ‘Equity and Social Justice: A Short Introduction’ by Equity for Children

• Download the Approaches to Equity Data Matrix: Comparing equity in major international organizations

 

Additional Resources and Documents

• ○  Advocacy
  • □ A Great Step Forward But Let’s Be More Daring: Equity for Children’s Comments on the High Level Panel for the Post-2015 Approaches to Equity by the Post-2015 Development Agenda
• ○  General
  • □ 2012 World Bank Conference on Equity: Inequality of What? Outcomes, Opportunities and Fairness
  • □ Tackling Structural and Social Issues to Reduce Inequities in Children’s Outcomes in Low- to Middle-income Countries
• ○  Public Policy
  • □ A New Equity Agenda? Reflections on the 2006 World Development Report, the 2005 Human Development Report and the 2005 Report on the World Social Situation
  • □ Approaches towards Inequality and Inequity: Concepts, measures and policies
  • □ Closing the Health Equity Gap: Policy options and opportunities for action
  • □ Equity, Development and Policy: Evidence, New Ideas & Future Directions
  • □ Equity in Development: Why it is important and how to achieve it
  • □ Health in All Policies: Seizing opportunities, implementing policies
• ○  Concepts and Theories
  • □ Addressing Inequalities: The Heart of the Post-2015 Development Agenda and the Future We Want for All