Getting involved

So how can we solve the problems that we have looked at so far? We know that responding to social problems like poverty and inequality is complex and not going to be fixed overnight. What are the other ways that can contribute to the solving of these problems and who can be involved? Well the answer is anyone one, including you! Learning and engaging in debates such as those that have been presented to you so far is an important way to start to understand what we can do to reduce levels of poverty and improve people’s quality of life. Yet who else can be involved?

We know that continuing to have these debates on these issues is paramount to them not slipping of the agendas of governments and therefore it is important to consider the role of activists, campaigners and lobbyists. Would the world be so focused on issues of climate change if it wasn’t for Greta Thunberg? Would we have as much awareness of period poverty if it wasn’t for Amika George? Would the UK be aware of the number of children living in poverty if it wasn’t for Marcus Rashford?

All these individuals and many others for whom there isn’t time to name have started social movements to raise awareness of issues like the ones we have been learning about and to pressurise Governments to take responsibility and most importantly make changes. After all it is Governments and those in positions of power who ultimately have responsibility for improving policies and practices that can make the real differences to people’s lives. From a grass roots level, however individuals can make differences in their local areas and now with the influence of social media, this has become easier than ever before.

Many individuals make significant contributions on a daily basis to tackling poverty and trying to improve levels of inequality; individuals such as teachers, social workers, healthcare professionals, and many others who work directly with those experiencing such difficulties and try to improve their lives. Often, charities make a significant contribution to such improvements and are staffed by an army of volunteers who believe in social justice- perhaps you could be the next volunteer to work for an organisation to tackle some of the issues we have discussed?

And finally, we know that we need research and education to find out more about these issues and what can be done and that is where being a student, potentially a student studying social policy, you could make the difference and start the journey to make the contribution to tackling these social problems.