World economic inequality. The 1% possess more resources than the remaining 99% of the planet's population. The G7 countries now gathered in Biarritz - the US, Canada, Germany, France, the UK, Italy and Japan - hold more than half of global wealth. And in these 7 countries 10% of the population controls more than half of the economic resources, while 50% owns 10% or less. But the increasingly inequitable distribution of income and assets continues to escape the priorities of the respective ones leader politicians.
Under the Italian presidency - led by a self-styled center-left government, in 2017 - the G7 had adopted a political agenda theoretically geared towards growth and inequality. There was a call for 'inclusive growth', in words, which has instead been denied by the facts. The gap between inequalities has widened further, with a serious impact on the levels of poverty and the dignity of people.
Politics has done nothing to counteract the aggregate concentrations of economic powers, leaving free space for the expansion of on a global scale. Land robberies , abuse on human rights e on the environment, monopolies. From agriculture to ecommerce and IT, under the silence of the Antitrust authorities.
International treaties concluded and negotiated in recent years by the G7 governments, with the complicity of the European Commission led by Jean Claude Juncker, they pursued the demolition of the rules democratic laws established in member countries to protect individuals and workers, health and the environment. CETA, JEPHTA, Mercosur and TTIP. Four toxic chords with an identical cliche. Affirm the dominance of Corporation above any rule and ensure their irresponsibility with ISDS-like clauses (Investor-State Dispute Settlement).
The socio-ecological crisis continues, hand in hand with malnutrition and obesity. And it's Global Syndemic, a global epidemic destined to hit the disadvantaged in the poorest countries most vehemently. Pesticides they devour health and ecosystems, also in Europe. The desertification advances and drinking water, increasingly scarce, is polluted by microplastics and bacteria. As the planet burns, from Brasil e Argentina up to Indonesia.
Inequality it is the cancer of our society. Privileges and clientelisms - always in favor of elite financial affairs, the super-rich and their associates - threaten democracies, corrupt politics and overwhelm economies. A radical change is necessary and urgent, and it must start with our everyday choices. From the individual to the collective, 'Me'. We ask for formal and specific commitments from the political forces at stake, we demand their respect, we activate and participate in solidarity initiatives in daily life.
# Égalité!
Dario Dongo
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.