HSRC Research Conference: Introduction THE 2013 HSRC SOCIAL SCIENCES RESEARCH CONFERENCE Inequalities and Justice: Influences, Effects, Intersections and Evidence 26 and 27 September 2013 Birchwood Conference Centre Biannual research conference convened by the HUMAN SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL HSRC Research Conference: Introduction THE HSRC CONFERENCE AND THE WORLD SOCIAL SCIENCE FORUM IN 2015 The HSRC, CODESRIA, the University of Johannesburg and the University of Fort Hare will be hosting the World Social Science Forum (WSSF) in 2015 in South Africa. In framing the 2013 HSRC conference the HSRC seeks to offer researchers a platform to prepare for the 2015 WSSF by critically reviewing current research, ideas and policy around the theme of Transforming global relations for a just world. The outcome of this year’s HSRC conference will hopefully inform the deliberations of 2015 and generate fresh ideas, which we trust will enrich research leading to and beyond 2015. Possible sub‐themes for the WSSF 2015 1. Global inequality (income inequality, production and consumption); 2 Politics and global inequality (focus here is on how global politics promote inequality of nations e.g. Trade issues, military power); 3. Cultural dominance and horizontal inequality; 4. Global Health and inequality; 5. Inequality in access to quality education; 6. The role of migration and remittances in reducing income inequality; 7. Climate change and consequent inequality; 8. Global governance and policies to end inequality; 9. Capabilities, inequalities and human rights; 10. Social justice and the global order. It is sometimes claimed that justice is not a matter of reasoning at all; it is one of being appropriately sensitive and having the right nose for injustice….It seems natural to protest rather than reason elaborately about justice and injustice….[However’, cases of injustice may be more complex and subtle than the assessment of an observable calamity. (Amartya Sen 2009:4) In the end we must remember that no amount of rules or their enforcement will defeat those who struggle with justice on their side (Nelson Mandela at the 50th Anniversary of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, Geneva, Switzerland, 19 May 1998) Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought. A theory however elegant and economical must be rejected or revised if it is untrue; likewise laws and institutions no matter how efficient and well‐arranged must be reformed or abolished if they are unjust. Each person possesses an inviolability founded on justice that even the welfare of society as a whole cannot override. For this reason justice denies that the loss of freedom for some is made right by a greater good shared by others. It does not allow that the sacrifices imposed on a few are outweighed by the larger sum of advantages enjoyed by many. Therefore in a just society the liberties of equal citizenship are taken as settled; the rights secured by justice are not subject to political bargaining or to the calculus of social interests. (John Rawls, A Theory of Justice, 1999) The people are learning that you cannot leave decisions only to leaders. Local groups have to create the political will for change, rather than waiting for others to do things for them. That is where positive, and sustainable, change begins. It is important to nurture any new ideas and initiatives which can make a difference for Africa. (Wangari Maathai) This year’s HSRC Social Science and Humanities conference adopts the theme “Inequalities and Justice: Influences, Effects, Intersections and Evidence,” and builds on the 2011 conference that invited multi‐disciplinary social science and humanities evidence‐based perspectives that brought into stark relief the influences and effects of inequalities and injustice in South Africa. This year’s conference considers the intersections of wealth, gender, race, disability, age & intergenerationality, rural/urban divisions, class and geography on continued inequality as it may affect livelihoods, households and well‐being. 1 HSRC Research Conference: Introduction There is already much that we know about the idea of justice and by extension, inequality and injustice. We know that inequality and injustice are common, occur on multiple levels, and frequently intersect. There is an abundance of research on economic inequality and its effect on the quality of life and social relations within countries of the world. Many studies have shown significant relationships between economic and social inequalities and violence, crime rates, community involvement, political participation and policy making, health and life expectancy, social cohesion, trust and even human happiness. Furthermore, we also know how inequalities and injustice produced by unequal distribution of wealth, low quality education, social fragmentation, unjust labour practices and accidents of birth lead to unfair discrimination and thwarted opportunities for human development. From economic disparities where 10% of the country earns and owns 90% of its wealth; to gender differences where women do two‐thirds of the world’s work, own 1% of the world’s wealth, and occupy 14% of leadership positions; to educational and employment incongruences in which those living in poverty are also subject to poor quality education, exorbitant lending practices, food insecurity, are least likely to be employed, and frequently live in isolated and alienated communities. Of course these inequalities are never discrete and are compounded and intersect such that those who occupy multiple positions of inequality are most severely affected, such as poor black women. It is submitted that what we need now is a focused South African and African perspective on inequalities; a deepened understanding of how many of South Africa’s intractable challenges are rooted in an inability to recognise much less close ever widening gaps of opportunity, means, status and privilege; a commitment to disrupt these, based on evidence, as urgent matters of both moral justice and national development; and fresh perspectives on policy and programmatic level strategies for their amelioration. This year’s conference offers an opportunity to consolidate our knowledge of inequalities and injustices and move forward on strategic programmes of action and research. Flowing from the above, we encouraged presenters to consider presentations, addressing the conference broad themes framed above, that may also cover, but are not limited to: • The Centennial Commemoration of the 1913 Land Act • 20 years of democracy • Commemorating a South African Heritage: Archive, Memories, Identities • The gendered nature of violence • South Africa in the world: The new global agenda on development Objectives of the HSRC Conference: • further develop coverage of appropriate, topical and pertinent debates, issues and ideas to the theme of inequality and justice; • provide next‐generation insights that advance empirical, conceptual and political interpretation and understanding of inequality and justice; • stimulate collaboration, networking and debate among all HSRC researchers and creating an awareness of the range of current and planned research work in the HSRC; • stimulate submissions that also have a stronger humanities focus in terms of coverage; • create opportunities for up‐and‐coming researchers to make presentations and engage with their colleagues. It is therefore expected that all HSRC researchers will participate in the conference; • encourage all HSRC researchers to meet and get to know one another, discuss work across boundaries, debate issues on the role and nature of our research, and make proposals on how to maximize the impact of our research; • stimulate publications based on conference presentations. The Programme Committee members finalised a conference programme that endeavours to meet the above objectives. Presentations will be in the form of research reports on completed projects, reports on research work in progress, research proposals, and conceptual think pieces. The publishing of outputs is a major focus in this year’s HSRC Research Conference. It is envisaged that a special issue of the journal Social Justice will result from the conference, as well as a possible edited collection of essays to be published by the HSRC Press. We are hoping that presenters will consider submitting their papers to special issues of peer‐review journals 2 HSRC Research Conference: Introduction and/or contribute to the publishing of a book of selected papers that are to be presented at the conference. We encourage all presenters to participate in this initiative of the conference. Editors and co‐editors will be determined during the conference planning process. This year, the HSRC Research Conference Committee, comprising of Prof. Alinah Segobye (Convenor), Dr Temba Masilela, Prof. Vasu Reddy, Dr Hester du Plessis, Ms Bridgette Prince, Prof. Oladele Arowolo, Dr Christa Van Zyl, Ms Segametsi Molawa, Prof. Narnia Bohler‐Muller, Dr Zitha Mokomane, Dr Nolutho Diko, Ms Ina van der Linde, Ms Shirin Motala, Ms Tsitsi Chakauya, Ms Carolina Roscigno, Mr Julian Jacobs, Mr Jeremy Wightman, Dr Heidi van Rooyen, Ms Ella Mathobela, and Ms Arlene Grossberg (secretariat), reviewed the format of the programme, allowing for a variety of presentation. 3 HSRC Research Conference: Programme THURSDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2013 Venue: Le Grande Centre, Birchwood Conference Centre 09:00 – 10:30 Registration Venue: Foyer, Silverleaf Plenary Session Venue: Silverleaf,