The world today is witnessing widening of disparities between the haves and the have nots, the rich and the poor, the developed and the developing.

Across the world, especially in the context of globalization, the weaker and the vulnerable sections are getting increasingly marginalized, further exacerbating their already pitiable existence.

The avowed goal of removal of trade barriers, instead of ameliorating the lot of the deprived and the down-trodden, has only aggravated their misery, especially in the developing and the least developed countries and benefiting the affluent in the developed world.

Within individual countries, the chasm between the rich and the poor has widened substantially, which can lead to social upheavals, threatening peace and prosperity everywhere.

Such societal upheavals can have a debilitating effect on democratic systems everywhere. Unless the situation is addressed in a meaningful manner, democracy itself is bound to suffer.

In our country too, we are witnesses to the struggle of the Dalits, tribals, the OBCs and the minorities to secure their Fundamental Rights as guaranteed in the Constitution and also a say in the decisions affecting their lives. The Prime Minister himself admitted the iniquitous social order prevailing in the country recently which is a grim pointer to our social reality, even after six decades of Independence. This International Dalit and Minorities Conference, however, welcomes the Prime Ministers Initiative to address these challenges in a proactive manner.

In the International context, the frustrations as well as the aspirations of the vulnerable sections and the minorities find reflection in the political upheavals we have witnessed in Nicauragua, Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecaudor. This Conference salutes the valiant people of these countries in their heroic struggle against the forces inimical to equity and equality.

When societal disparities remain unattended and when global market forces have unbridled sway over the domestic market, it is the poor and the under privileged who tend to suffer the most. This is indeed unacceptable in the 21st century.

The rapid rise in the price of crude oil from us$ 18 to us$72 has adversely affected the poor in the developing countries and to some extent those in the developed countries as well. This has further aggravated the economic crisis and unemployment, particularly in the least developed countries. The developed west is fully responsible for this situation along with the United Nations which stood as a silent spectator when the crisis was exacerbating.

If we let the situation adrift, third party interventions are bound to happen, further aggravating the plight of the poor and the deprived, especially in the developing and the least developed nations.

This International Conference notes with the utmost concern the worsening scenario in several parts of the whole world, especially in Palestine, Darfur, Somalia, Rwanda-Burundi, Lebanon, Iraq, Fiji, Myanmar etc. We urge and also appeal to the leadership and the people of these countries to stand united in their struggle for their fundamental human freedoms and rights guaranteed under International Covenants already agreed to and ratified by all.

This Conference of Dalit and Minorities calls upon national leaderships everywhere to zealously safeguard the rights and the freedoms of all minorities, and the weaker and vulnerable sections of society. This Conference further urges them to protect and promote the cause of the weaker and vulnerable sections and also strive ceaselessly for their uplift.

This Conference further urges the vulnerable and weaker sections of the society and the minorities across the world to wage a relentless battle against forces, both internal and external, which are inimical to equality, liberty and fraternity.

Lastly, this International Dalit and Minorities Conference reiterates its conviction that all citizens, irrespective of caste, community, religion and gender, should have equal access to national resources. If this fundamental human right is not guaranteed, it can lead to social upheavals and national turmoil. Alternatively, if this goal is achieved, peace and prosperity can be secured, democracy can be consolidated and equality among citizens can be ensured and a new beginning of an equitable social order can be ushered in this 21st century.

We hope and believe the United Nations, now under the newly appointed Secretary General’s leadership, will address these vital issues affecting all aspects of the lives of millions of men, women and children belonging to the deprived, vulnerable and underprivileged sections of both the developing and the least developed nations spread over the whole world.