The inaugural 2015 UBC Lind Initiative, hosted by the Liu Institute for Global Issues, examines the far-reaching effects of inequality. A speaker series led by economist Joseph Stiglitz and featuring Jill Abramson, Teju Cole, Jeffrey Sachs and Elizabeth May was held in the Fall Term of 2015, while a series of essays, analysis and feature stories ran concurrently on OpenCanada.org.

Along with the series, Taylor Owen led a seminar class exploring the topic of inequality through the work of Stiglitz and the other guests. The seminar was by application, and was made up of 27 interdisciplinary graduate and undergraduate students. Over the term, they prepared six explainers on topics relevant to the inequality debate, ranging from lessons learned from South Africa’s Marikana massacre to the link between inequality and climate change.  These were presented to Joseph Stiglitz on his final visit to campus and are presented below.

In the series

Inequality Explained: Everything you need to know about the TPP’s arbitration provision

Inequality Explained: Everything you need to know about the TPP’s arbitration provision

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Here are
the pros and cons of the mechanism within the Trans-Pacific Partnership for
solving disputes between investors and foreign governments.

Inequality Explained: The trouble with pharmaceutical patents

Inequality Explained: The trouble with pharmaceutical patents

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Can policy change lead to more equitable access
to life-saving medicines?
 

Inequality Explained: The hidden gaps in Canada’s education system

Inequality Explained: The hidden gaps in Canada’s education system

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While Canada’s education
system ranks high among OECD countries, socioeconomic inequality factors in at
all levels. This is why it matters.

Inequality Explained: Will the Trans-Pacific Partnership affect Canada’s food sovereignty?

Inequality Explained: Will the Trans-Pacific Partnership affect Canada’s food sovereignty?

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Nine questions on the TPP’s potential impact
Canadians should be asking.  

Inequality Explained: Lessons from South Africa’s Marikana massacre

Inequality Explained: Lessons from South Africa’s Marikana massacre

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When tension grows between people and profit, communities must learn how
to extract, manage and share resources in a just way.