Development as conflict - Roberto Bissio at Korea ODA conference 2018

Peace and sustainable development should be mutually reinforcing, but at the same time we should not ignore that development implies deep changes in societies and those transformations will be resisted by those who benefit from the status quo. "Development is conflict" argued Social Watch coordinator Roberto Bissio at the 12th Seoul ODA International Conference on "Inclusive ODA for Global Peace, Democracy and Human Rights".

Bissio was a speaker in the session "The Role of ODA for Promoting Democratic Governance" and he argued that the homicide rates of different countries, a key indicator introduced by SDG 16 on just and inclusive societies, correlates with inequalities.

“How do we reduce inequalities? Through taxation, social security and social services, agrarian reform. The measures required are well known but they face resistance locally and internationally. Civil society can ensure that the conflict is handled in a civil way and its advocacy role deserves to be supported.

See here the video of Roberto Bissio's intervention.

The International Conference organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Korea and the International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) was held on September 13, 2018, in Seoul, Korea and the whole debate is available here.