Civil society members chalked out several measures and discussed on topics like inequality, civil BRICS, Sustainable Development Goals in a regional Pre-BRICS consultation meet organised on Tuesday. With the theme BRICS and the agenda of equality and social change, leads in collaboration with CBGA, Oxfam India, Wada Na Todo Abhiyan (WNTA) members brainstormed on issues like role of New Development Bank (NDB) and other international processes to address inequality, possibilities including opportunities in Civil BRICS, climate change and financing for development that is required to be highlighted and discussed for sustainable growth and development.
“There are problems which need to be drafted out with proper suggestive measures. Mere drafting out points will not fulfill the agenda of the consultation meet. Inequality reduction is the major problem and basic points must be chalked out to address the issue. Moreover, civil societies must be strengthened to convey all major issues influencing masses especially those issues which can uplift the downtrodden must be addressed. All the major organisations be it department, organisation or ministries must be approached with valid solutions,” Urban Development Department Minister, CP Singh, said.
On the basic concept, ‘Building Responsive Inclusive and Collective Solutions’, this year the BRICS summit will be conducted. The role of civil societies needs to be drafted out, as few major topics like displacement, inequality in food security, gender dimension on inequality, rights of Adivasis and Dalits with focus on eastern India must be brought into forefront to present an overview of the current situation.
“Pre-BRICS consultation is must to take few vital issues at global level. Forums, think tanks, councils have been formed to disseminate information and share ideas at a common platform. Policy should be pro people, pro marginalised,” said, State Convener, JWNTA and leads Director, AK Singh.
Focusing on Civil BRICS possibilities and opportunities, Oxfam India representative, Tomojit Basu said, “There are certain major issues which have been left out and need to be highlighted. Concept of Civil BRICS is yet to be institutionalized. Though Ministry of External Affairs have discussed about various themes covering various facets yet issues like urbanization, multilateral trade, development co-operation need to be recommended for discussion at the global forum.”
Urban Poverty and inequality in different spheres of life, inequality in health services, inequality in local governance, religious minority and inequality, inequality in education and several strategies covering diverse facets on main issues were discussed in the presence of industry experts, NGO representatives and other eminent experts. The civil society members are gearing up for the BRICS Summit to be held at Goa in October 2016.