Search results

Inequality is spiralling out of control, but consensus on how to address it is gathering pace. Following on from the success of last year’s symposium about Africa’s extractives industry and illicit financial flows, Oxfam and the University of Oxford are coming together again to examine the causes and consequences of uneven economic growth and rising inequality in the global South, while assessing policy solutions and charting a way forward for equity, democracy and social stability.

G20 Leaders meeting in Brisbane, Australia this weekend (15 and 16 November) are being urged to tackle rising inequality head-on or risk leaving millions of people trapped in poverty, as new figures reveal the wealth disparity in a number of G20 countries.

Countries can start tackling inequality today by triggering an “economic stimulus” directly into the pockets of those who need it most – by investing more in public services like health and education.

Following Oxfam’s January report revealing that just 85 people owned the same wealth as the bottom half the world’s population, Forbes has updated its “billionaires' list”, showing that extreme inequality has worsened– just 67 people at the top now own half the wealth.

Somalia’s financial lifeline remains under threat as banks in US, UK, Australia, and elsewhere have broken ties with the money transfer operators that make remittances possible, NGOs warn.

Progress by G20 Finance Ministers toward tackling the issue of multinational tax avoidance has been welcomed by Oxfam Australia Chief Executive Dr. Helen Szoke, though there is a need for more specifics on how and when low-income countries will benefit.

More troops, funding and medical staff are urgently needed if we have a hope of stopping Ebola spiralling out of control, international agency Oxfam warns today.

Inequality in Africa is rising to dangerous levels and unless checked will undermine the usefulness of economic growth on the continent.

Poor countries are cutting back investment in farming, health service and services to help women because of fears about rising debts and the impact of the economic crisis, according to a new database launched today. 

Health insurance programs, which are being promoted by some donor agencies and governments in developing countries, are excluding the poorest and most vulnerable people.