Socio-economic inequalities and population movements in sustainable development

Magdalena Rybicka

 

Socio-economic inequalities contribute to increased migration around the world to seek a better life, under better conditions. The mass media often show false promises of a better life "without effort". Poor education, ignorance of cultural and historical differences fuel spiralling migration movements from poor, environmentally contaminated regions to more developed regions. This exodus is accompanied by vested interests of various political, private and social groups. It seems necessary, when talking about global sustainable development, to pay special attention to problems related to counteracting the use of migration for political influence. Education and access to it with gender equality should become an overriding issue to prevent abuse. It is particularly important to talk about this in environments where history, culture or religion does not refer to human beings, but to men and women who are not equal before the law.