Executive Summary

• Published in: Perspectives on Global Development 2012 pp. 17 - 26
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Paris OECD Publishing 21.11.2011
• Series: Perspectives on Global Development
• ISBN: 9264113142; 9789264113145
• ISSN: 2222-4467; 2222-4475
• DOI: 10.1787/persp_glob_dev-2012-4-en

The world has changed markedly since the beginning of the new millennium. “Shifting Wealth” describes a phenomenon in which the centre of economic gravity of the world has progressively shifted from West to East and from North to South, resulting in a new geography of growth. The new scenario presents some major opportunities and challenges for the creation of socially cohesive societies. This report examines social cohesion in fast-growing developing countries and provides policy makers with recommendations for ways to strengthen it. A cohesive society works towards the well-being of all its members, fights exclusion and marginalisation, creates a sense of belonging, promotes trust, and offers its members the opportunity of upward mobility. This report looks at social cohesion through three different, but equally important lenses: social inclusion, social capital and social mobility.