The need to enhance respect and equality in modern societies, is more topical than ever. Furthermore, statistics show that as the pandemic has severe negative impact on the most vulnerable social populations. Due to COVID-19, more than 71 million people live under extreme poverty circumstances.

Causes and Effects of Social Inequality

Social inequality is founded in the inequity of economic distribution to the population. Examples of social inequality effects are: employment circumstances; education; income, among others. Among the factors that cause this social phenomenon are: the influence resulting from family; wealth inheritance; non-equitable quality education, etc.

SDGs and the Promotion of Equality in Modern Societies

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, developed by United Nations Member States, encompasses 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These 17 SDGs serve the purpose of achieving sustainable peace, and welfare for people and the planet; namely, equality in modern societies as well.

Obviously, among the 17 SDGs, that aim social equality are the following:

• First SDG : This goal is about ending any form of poverty and in a global scale.
• Fourth SDG : It is about promoting opportunities of equal quality education, and lifelong learning for all.
• Fifth SDG: It is about promoting and achieving gender equality, along with women and girls’ empowerment.
• Eighth SDG: It is about fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth; with opportunities for decent work for everyone.
• Tenth SDG: It is about diminishing inequality within the countries and transnationally.

Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (iED) acknowledges the importance of equality; and, is an active participant in numerous European projects that promote it. For instance, “RESPECT: Youths’ REspect of Solidarity, Peace, Equality, Citizenship and Tolerance through creativity” is an Erasmus+ project that aims to contribute to these goals, by using creativity as a medium.