What Does It Mean to go Beyond Recovery?
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionately negative impact on vulnerable and marginalized groups around the world. Groups already in precarious situations, such as internally displaced people, refugees, minority groups, women and youth, have only seen their circumstances worsen. While much work in 2020 focused on raising global awareness of these inequalities, there is now an immediate need to shape the practical actions and policy responses to inform the recovery.
As nations and communities talk about rebuilding from the pandemic, there must be a push for a more equitable recovery. We must all work together to secure long-term protection and stability for the most vulnerable groups, and achieve more stable, just and inclusive societies post-pandemic.
Many of the issues that need to be addressed are those of pluralism, equity, respect, and belonging. We’ve heard from our network of pluralism champions around the world about what #BeyondRecovery means in their communities. Click on the videos below to listen and share your own ideas with us.
From Our Network of Pluralism Champions
In Yemen, the devastating 6 years of armed conflict must end. Talking about COVID is perceived a luxury to the Yemeni people, because they are facing multidimensional insecurities including poverty, hunger, displacement, lack of basic services and fatal outbreaks besides the COVID pandemic. In Yemen, to recover, we need holistic and inclusive approaches that lead to sustainable and accountable recovery. This will not happen without meaningfully including women and youth and recognizing their efforts in peacebuilding.
Nisma Mansour, Yemen, Peace Track Initiative
This pandemic clearly shows that poor countries are more vulnerable in a crisis. To ensure an inclusive recovery, vaccines must be equally distributed throughout the world regardless of a country’s financial circumstances. If the vaccine is not widely accessible, poor countries will continue to suffer, while rich countries protect their citizens. We will remain isolated and it will be impossible for us to return to living in the global community we all cherish.
Ahmad Sarmast, Afghanistan, Afghanistan National Institute of Music
For Indigenous peoples and Indigenous movements, the recovery must honour the traditional knowledge and our history of resistance. This traditional knowledge may not come from the mainstream. If we can decolonize knowledge and excellence, and honour practices from our Elders of valuing everyone’s place, of redistributing power, we will start building back based on core values that truly represent our societies.
Odile Joannette, Canada, Wapikoni Mobile
Share Your Priorities for Going #BeyondRecovery
We will amplify your ideas across our social media channels and to our wider global networks.