聯合國第12次開放工作小組(Open Working Group, OWG)甫於今年6月20日結束，會後，致力於推動經濟、社會與政治平等之國際組織： Initiative for Equality(IfE)發起一項國際連署活動，呼籲聯合國應於2015年永續發展目標(SDGs)中，將「減少不平等」之議題維持為獨立之目標，並以此號召各組織響應連署。

永續發展目標(SDGs)倘順利於2015年通過，將成為在2030年前各國承諾達成之具體目標，因此各項目的設定與規範，均受各國矚目與關心。據大會官方資料顯示，由Group77及中國針對SDGs的共同立場聲明文件，提議將聯合國大會於2013年設立開放工作小組時，所草擬的SDGs初稿之各項目進行合併調整。將第十項(平等議題)合併進第一項(貧窮議題)目標，以及將第十六項目標(建全的法治)排除。

有鑑於世界上許多議題與困境皆肇因於經濟、社會與政治上的不平等，因此，將「減少不平等」列為主要項目之一，實有必要。若將平等倡議置於貧窮項目之下，恐會讓平等議題所牽涉的多元領域，如進入門檻、歧視、發聲，甚至是國與國間的不平等議題，均將遭到淡化。

本會關心環境永續發展之問題，以及相繼而來有關世代正義的討論，環境議題與經濟、社會與政治議題息息相關。本會於第一時間參與連署，向聯合國大會強調「減少不平等」作為2030年SDGs主要項目之一的重要性與獨立性。

連署連結。

註：2015年永續發展目標為2011年聯合國永續發展大會(UNCSD, Rio+20)所設定之目標，將在聯合國千禧年目標的基礎上，進一步承諾2030年前世界努力的方向。大會兩大討論主題為：(1)綠色經濟：在永續發展及消除貧窮之脈絡下(Green Economy within the context of Sustainability Development and Poverty Eradication)，以及(2)永續發展體制架構 (Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development)。此外，三大目標為：(1)對永續發展重新作出政治承諾，(2)檢討已執行之永續發展進展及差距，以及(3)處理新的挑戰。 永續發展目標之研擬與提案將依據Rio+20成果文件「我要的未來」第248段之要求，交由開放工作小組推動。

Initiative for Equality(IfE)聲明全文簡譯：

平等作為一個獨立目標是重要的
A Stand-Alone Goal on Equality is Essential

發表於2014年6月20日

我們，來自世界各地代表公民的公民社會組織，深刻警覺將第十項平等目標與其他目標合併的提議。我們呼籲您基於以下嚴正理由，仔細考慮。後2015議程(post 2015 agenda)將指引下一個15年的發展計畫，必須視不平等為當代最重要的議題之一，並給予清楚的目標處理不平等及將平等相關標的納入其他目標之內。這兩個途徑是相互支持的。然而如果沒有平等的獨立目標傳達明確的訊息，此議程將承擔失去世界各地之個人、組織、和社群支持的風險。

We, the undersigned Civil Society Organizations representing constituencies from all corners of the globe, are deeply alarmed by the proposal to combine the Goal 10 on Equality with other listed goals. We urge your careful consideration of the following compelling reasons. As the Post 2015 agenda is meant to guide development efforts over the next 15 years, it must recognize inequalities as one of the most vital issues of our time by having a clear goal to tackle inequality and by including equality-related targets into other goals. These two approaches are mutually supportive. However, without a stand-alone goal on equality to deliver this clear message, the agenda risks losing the support of individuals, organizations and communities around the world.

1. 平等作為一個獨立的目標，將於後2015發展議程中的傳達一個重要基本價值。當我們將所有討論中的目標視為相互依存與相互補強時，將平等設為一個獨立目標的決定，反映了世界上人們對於不平等所產生之問題的重視程度。世界性諮詢組織、公民社會網絡、成員國和聯合國不斷嚴正強調，不平等是許多社會、經濟和環境問題的核心，包含阻礙發展、經濟不穩定、自然資源的不當管理、歧視、缺乏社會團結、犯罪和衝突。

1. A stand-alone goal on equality communicates a fundamental value underlying the Post-2015 development agenda. While we recognize that all goals under discussion are interdependent and mutually reinforcing, the decision to have a stand-alone goal on equality reflects the degree of importance that has been accorded to the problem of inequalities by the peoples of the world. Global consultations, civil society networks, Member States and the United Nations have firmly and repeatedly asserted that inequality is at the heart of many social, economic and environmental ills, including barriers to development, economic instability, mismanagement of natural resources, discrimination, lack of social unity, crime and conflict.

2. 後2015議程是頭等重要的事。在某個層面上而言，實現各目標的能見度、效力和支持度將以它們被闡明的方式而被確立，。若僅是在目標中將平等主流化，平等將會失去其能見度以及被視為社會面臨的許多病態的獨立驅動力的地位。

2. The Post-2015 agenda will be about the headlines. The visibility, potency, and support for implementation of the goals will be rooted, in part, in the manner in which they are articulated. By only mainstreaming equality throughout the goals, it will lose its visibility and recognition as an independent driver of many of the ills facing society.

3. 公民社會的支援高度依賴於將平等作為一個獨立的目標的表達方式。世界性諮詢組織持續地主張在任何發展議程中，將根除不平等作為一個關鍵要素的必要。我們對於新的永續發展目標合法性和成功之信任，將會因移除此目標而被破壞。

3. The support of civil society highly depends on the articulation of equality as a stand-alone goal. Global Consultations consistently asserted the need for the eradication of inequality as a crucial element in any development agenda. Our trust in the legitimacy and success of the new Sustainable Development Goals will be undermined if this goal is removed.

4. 平等是一個整全性的價值，遠比經濟更宏大。它處理社會、教育、健康、政治和許多其他形式不平等的面向。對於女性和脆弱群體的不平等對待和機會是獨立的議題而無法被納入到其他目標之中。平等，若與「消除貧窮」的目標合併，將承擔失去其他多面向性的風險：包含有關利用的挑戰、歧視、發聲、和其他很多非財務的考量。尤有甚之，SDGs還必須考量在國與國間的不平等。

4. Equality is an overarching value, far broader than economics. It addresses dimensions of social, educational, health, political, and many other forms of inequality. Unequal treatment of, and opportunities for, women and vulnerable groups of all kinds is an independent issue that cannot be subsumed within other goals. Equality, if combined with the goal on ‘poverty eradication,’ risks losing its multidimensionality - including challenges related to access, discrimination, voice, and many other non-fiscal concerns. Moreover, the SDGs must consider inequalities between nations.

5. 平等目標體現目標(SDGs)的普遍性。作為世界性的目標，平等意味每個國家的責任，因它(不平等)是一個沒有任何國家、就算是再富裕的國家可以倖免的社會病灶，。作為一個普世概念，它將有潛力鼓舞跨國界的共同行動。平等的目標，對於世界團結是一個強有力的力量，但若被埋沒在其他目標之下，將無法構成上述力量。

5. A goal on equality exemplifies the universality of the goals. Equality as a global goal implies a responsibility on the part of every nation, including the richest, as it is a social ill from which no nation is immune. As a universal concept, it has the potential to encourage unified action across borders. A goal on equality can be a powerful force for global solidarity, but not if it is buried in other goals.

當平等為一個獨立的目標時，我們對於不讓任何人被拋諸在後的承諾可以感到驕傲。感謝您的瞭解。

With a Stand-alone Goal on Equality, we can honor our commitment to leaving no one behind. We thank you for your understanding.