Looking back at the EquiTalks: Economic prosperity and human rights

Another edition of EquiTalks was successfully held on Thursday, November 13.

This key event organized by Equitas explored the essential intersection between a healthy economy and fundamental respect for human rights. The message is clear: one cannot thrive without the other. A sustainable prosperity is not possible without social justice, and respect for human rights is the foundation of any just and economically resilient society.

The event took place at Equitas’ offices and brought together nearly 40 people on site, with up to 100 people joining online.

The panel, featuring Arshadha Subair from Sri Lanka, Cass Elliot and Kerlande Mibel, both from Canada, and Mamadou Aliou Bah from Guinea, was moderated by Jean-Sébastien Vallée, Director of Education and Communications at Equitas. Together, the panelists converged on a powerful idea: the interdependence between human rights and economic prosperity, and the desire to challenge the notion that the economy can grow at the expense of populations.

During the discussions, Kerlande denounced the “predatory logic” where prosperity is built on exploitation or exclusion, citing the example of First Nations and Black communities in Canada. She reiterated that the economy must be a tool for human well-being, not the other way around. Kerlande advocated for the economic self-determination of Black communities and for direct, conscious, and targeted investments within them.

« We must prioritize a logic of co-construction rather than predation. »

– Kerlande Mibel

Aliou insisted that stability equals investment. Failure to respect rights creates instability, which hinders the investment needed for growth. In his view, exclusion, particularly of women, deprives countries of immense economic potential. He also highlighted the poor redistribution of natural resources and the burden of debt, which reduces the scope for social investment. Aliou presented the “five entrepreneurial rights” adopted in Guinea as a model for citizen consultation: access to income, property, land, credit, and training.

« Failure to respect human rights leads to social instability, undermining the investments necessary for economic growth. »

– Mamadou Aliou Bah

In her turn, Arshadha invited the audience to move beyond the traditional view of GDP and adopt a more holistic concept of prosperity that includes the health of society and the environment. An educated, healthy population that is free to express itself is the ultimate magnet for sustainable investment. She also illustrated how discriminatory policies, such as occupational restrictions on women in Sri Lanka, hinder development, and reiterated the importance of universal policies, such as maternity leave.

« Prosperity is not measured solely in terms of GDP, but in the health of our society and our environment. »

– Arshadha Subair

Cass Elliot, Program Manager at the Queer Chamber of Commerce of Canada (QCCC), showed how organizations like the QCCC are tackling unconscious biases that hinder LGBTQI+ entrepreneurs’ access to markets and capital, thereby strengthening the resilience of the economy.

« Inclusive economies are inherently more resilient. Diversity of voices brings diversity of ideas that benefit the system. »

– Cass Elliot

This diverse and complementary panel reminded us that sustainable economic prosperity is inseparable from social justice. It requires courage and a constant commitment to education and action. Now more than ever, Canada and the international community must fully embrace their role as protectors of human rights and ensure that human rights remain at the heart of the pursuit of prosperity.

A wonderful opportunity to observe the impact of Equitas’ work and approaches in action.

Attendees also had the opportunity to enter the world of Equitas through a tour of our offices. They visited small stations presenting our mission, our history, our human rights education programs, as well as the consulting services we offer while highlighting several tools created or co-created by Equitas and used in training and accompanying sessions.