Engaging Discussion at Social Cohesion and Inequality Workshop

Fazila Farouk

 

Image: Pixabay

UCT’s Poverty and Inequality Initiative co-hosted a social cohesion and inequality workshop with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) on 8 February 2018 in Philippi Village. The workshop was the culmination of research led by SALDRU research associate, Justine Burns, SALDRU’s director, Murray Leibbrandt and Anda David of the AFD. Key findings of the research were presented at the workshop.

The social cohesion research project aimed to address the following questions:

  • What is the relationship between social cohesion and economic inequality?
  • What kinds of institutional change do we need in order to promote social cohesion
    and reduce inequality?
  • How do we bridge the growing inter-generational divide?

Discussions at the workshop were led by a panel of experts who are among those leading South Africa to think through and deal with the lack of trust and social cohesion in our families, communities, firms and social and educational institutions. To find out more about the panelists, explore the workshop programme.

This research project produced six working papers and two policy briefs: Defining and Measuring Social Cohesion in South Africa and Seeing the Gap: Trends and Relationships Between Social Cohesion and Inequality in South Africa.

Below, you will find some of the workshop’s social media coverage to give you an idea of the interesting and engaging nature of the discussion.