Redelijk Eigenzinnig / Reason and Engage (VUB) is an interdisciplinary course for students and a series of lectures and activities open to all. The sixth edition (2020-2021) explores issues related to poverty.
Looking at history, Western people today are less exposed to poverty than previous generations. But with that observation, all optimism ceases. Globally, the gap between rich and poor is constantly widening. Even in the Western world, we see a general expansion of social insecurity, including for working people. Reason enough to ask questions out loud and look for solutions: How big is the inequality between rich and poor? Does this inequality threaten democracy and peace? What interventions are needed to close the gap? How much wealth do we need to live well? And of all the questions this one stands out: can we eradicate poverty altogether?
The public program consists of a series of four video interviews.
- Screening of 'I, Daniel Blake' and Q&A with director Ken Loach.
- Economist Thomas Piketty in conversation with Béatrice Delvaux (Le Soir) and Jeroen Zuallaert (Knack). Watch the interview here.
- Economist Joseph E. Stiglitz in conversation with Ewald Pironet (Knack). Watch the interview here.
- Interview with sociologist Julia O'Connell Davidson (University of Bristol) on modern forms of trafficking and slavery. Watch the lecture and interview here.
