Promoting Social Well-Being and Economic Justice

Social well-being and economic justice are crucial concepts that are intertwined. Social well-being is defined as the overall standard of life experienced by people. This includes multiple components such as whether or not individuals have access to healthcare, education, their living situation, and etc.

Additionally, economic justice is a concept that aims to provide goals, and opportunities for everyone which in turns allows for everyone to prosper. Both these concepts are similar in the sense that both strive to raise people’s overall standard of living and guarantee that everyone is treated with fairness. Oxfam International, an international NGO, has a goal of fighting poverty in order to terminate poverty and injustice. They work with millions of people internationally to ensure that this change lasts. One particular example of where Oxfam promoted both social well-being and economic justice is during the Covid-19 pandemic. They did this through a campaign asking individuals on their website to sign a petition & join the protest with them.

Moreover, they called out the government & pharmaceutical companies to suspend its patent regulations at the World Trade Organisation regarding Covid-19 vaccinations, testing & treatments. Furthermore, the government & pharmaceutical companies should join the World Health Organisation to gain more knowledge, and share it with the public. Oxfam asserted that this should be done because they demand for protection for everyone regardless of religion, race, or gender. This example by Oxfam exemplifies both social well-being and economic justice because they are demanding everyone get the right to a vaccine, and that the government & pharmaceutical companies should not be utilizing this as a means to gain. In their blog, they even assert that, “We need a people’s vaccine, not a profit vaccine” (Oxfam).

Especially in poor countries, many people are being denied the opportunity to receive a vaccination which is a simple disregard for their life & social well-being.

Consequently, by fighting for all individuals to recieve a vaccination,Oxfam is assisting their social well-being since they will have more access to healthcare. Oxfam’s work illustrates the significant influence on advocacy and taking initiative can have on global challenges of poverty and justice; however, as a society, we can also contribute to this. Currently, there are thousands of people in Palestine who are displaced due to the war by Palestine and Isreal. We can contribute to alleviating their problems by donating money to families in need such as Operation Olive Branch, or even donating to more well-known organizations such as the Red Cross. This will promote both social well-being and economic justice as it will provide them with money and the basic necessities they require.