{"id":50180,"date":"2025-11-26T16:29:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T21:29:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/equitas.org\/?p=50180"},"modified":"2026-04-23T18:33:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T22:33:25","slug":"looking-back-at-the-equitalks-economic-prosperity-and-human-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/equitas.org\/looking-back-at-the-equitalks-economic-prosperity-and-human-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"Looking back at the EquiTalks: Economic prosperity and human rights"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Another edition of EquiTalks was successfully held on Thursday, November 13.<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]The event took place at Equitas’ offices and brought together nearly 40 people on site, with up to 100 people joining online. <\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]The panel, featuring Arshadha Subair<\/strong> from Sri Lanka, Cass Elliot<\/strong> and Kerlande Mibel<\/strong>, both from Canada, and Mamadou Aliou Bah<\/strong> from Guinea, was moderated by Jean-S\u00e9bastien Vall\u00e9e,<\/strong> 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.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]During the discussions, Kerlande denounced the \u201cpredatory logic\u201d 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.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”50174″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_shadow_border” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”50153″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″ css_animation=”bounceInRight” css=””][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_empty_space height=”56px”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\u00ab We must prioritize a logic of co-construction rather than predation. \u00bb\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

– <\/span>Kerland<\/span><\/span>e<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Mibe<\/span>l<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]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 \u201cfive entrepreneurial rights<\/em>\u201d adopted in Guinea as a model for citizen consultation: access to income, property, land, credit, and training.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_empty_space height=”56px”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\u00ab Failure to respect human rights leads to social instability, undermining the investments necessary for economic growth. \u00bb<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

– <\/span>Mamadou Aliou Bah<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”50152″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_circle_2″ css_animation=”bounceInRight” css=””][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]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.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”50154″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″ css_animation=”bounceInRight” css=””][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/4″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\u00ab Prosperity is not measured solely in terms of GDP, but in the health of our society and our environment. \u00bb\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

– Arshadha Subair<\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]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. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”50155″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″ css_animation=”fadeInUp” css=””][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

\u00ab Inclusive economies are inherently more resilient. Diversity of voices brings diversity of ideas that benefit the system. \u00bb<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

– Cass Elliot<\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]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.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”50156,50171,50172,50174,50175,50176,50177,50187″ img_size=”medium” css=””]