"It is inequality, rather than absolute poverty, that breeds social unrest, violence and even terrorism", Carlos Fortin, Officer-in-Charge of UNCTAD, told the UN´s Economic and Social Council last week. "By and large, the destitute do not revolt. It is those who see a seemingly unbridgeable gap between their education and their aspirations and the insufficient opportunities for advancement offered by an unequal society who take the path of violence. In turn, it is the combination of inequality and poverty that makes violence a mass phenomenon", he said.
The liberalization of trade in goods and services of interest to developing countries can generate additional financial flows of some $310 billion a year, Mr. Fortin told the UN General Assembly at another meeting last week. For that to happen, however, the so-called ´end-game document´ to be agreed in Hong Kong this December by the WTO should provide for immediate implementation of the development provisions, such as the elimination of export subsidies maintained by developed countries in agriculture and more market access for developing countries´ exports, he said.
