International Organizations That Work on Inequality

Abstract

According to the United Nations (UN) definition, inequality, in the most general sense of the word, represents "the state of not being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities" (UN 2015, p. 1). International organizations are institutions drawing membership from at least three states, having activities in several states, and whose members are held together by a formal agreement. The Union of International Associations, in the Yearbook of International Organizations registers more than 72,500 international organizations from 300 countries and territories, 40,300 of which are active organizations. Coverage includes intergovernmental (IGOs) and international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs). The purpose of all these organizations is to implement the initiative to reduce inequality, which is an important prerequisite for achieving sustainable social development. Reducing inequality is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (UN 2015). Given that inequality is a multidimensional concept, the goal of reducing it (SDG 10) covers 47 areas of action, that is, specific tasks, but is also closely related to other goals of Agenda 2030 that are directly or indirectly related to poverty elimination, gender equality, decent work, economic growth, and climate action.