The Opportunity for All program was first laid out in Canadian policy in 2015 (“Canada’s first poverty reduction strategy”, 2022). It consists of a set of investments that the government implements in social and economic well-being. This program aims to lift Canadians out of poverty by engaging their workspace through income security. Opportunity for All is in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals for eradicating poverty (“Canada’s first poverty reduction strategy”, 2022). The strategy’s primary goal is to expand middle-class income and remove barriers to this expansion.
The long-term results of this policy could be a significant reduction in the number of people below the poverty line. The program is expected to make it easier for indigenous people to find employment through training and benefits. The plan is to fully integrate small groups into the work environment through gradual inclusion in the work process. The unification of the various groups will be achieved in the long run. The most critical long-term result should be eliminating poverty among the groups that have the most barriers – indigenous peoples, LGBT people, the elderly, and young parents (“Canada’s first poverty reduction strategy”, 2022). The program will likely allow more and more people to be engaged in the work environment and integrate into society.
The limiting factors of the program may be the actions of the population itself, which will not participate in the employment program because of the realized benefits. In addition, the funding allocated to the program may be insufficient, as it requires the involvement of a large number of employees who will be able to train the population. It also requires transparent and extensive reporting, which can limit the authorities’ actions. However, through this program, socially significant results will be achieved. First, it is the removal of the barrier between indigenous peoples and the general population. Second, it reduces the gender gap by equalizing working conditions and pay. Third, it is the reduction of the social gap and the expansion of the middle class.
Despite considerable medical success in maintaining health into old age, memory processes still suffer more than others. Dementia is a severe disease, and preventive measures are needed to address the problem. The strain of the illness hurts people, and the state is forced to find new ways to rehabilitate them. Programs are needed to focus on improving the quality of life for older people.
The program could consist of courses in which the elderly would participate in various exercises. The program would be implemented through webinars where people would receive support in finding information (“Alzheimer’s disease and healthy aging program home”, 2019). Psychologists should be engaged in teaching older adults how to assimilate important material about their health through creative exercises. Group psychological consultations will reduce the social disconnect between the elderly and society.
- Preserving the health of the general population: preserving memory in old age, preventing the development of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases;
- Improving the quality of life of older people: increasing social activity, expanding the range of interests, restoring independence and increasing health literacy; increasing creative activity.
Older people are expected to learn to communicate with different social groups they may not have encountered before. In addition, they will be able to recognize signs of memory deterioration and impairment and keep health monitoring diaries. Older adults will be freer to seek help and not be embarrassed. Most will likely feel comfortable upon completing the program at the expense of psychological counseling.
Multiculturalism is a term describing the demand for preserving all cultures and their organic coexistence. In a country such as the United States, multiculturalism is especially common because it is an economic and social leader. Jonh A. Powell draws attention to the fact that the social integration of everyone is necessary for society to function successfully (Othering & Belonging Institute, 2017). He also demonstrates that factors such as religion and race significantly impact how people will work with each other. The video fits the theme of how separation and distancing negatively affect social unrest. Powell focuses on the idea that anxiety grows along with society’s increasing division into groups and changes in individuals’ perceptions and values (Othering & Belonging Institute, 2017). It plays a role in which paths society will choose – building bridges or focusing on its identity.
An antagonistic game is a non-cooperative game involving two or more players whose winnings are opposite. Otherwise, Powell calls it a zero-sum game in which the goals of different groups differ (Othering & Belonging Institute, 2017). He points out that these differences should be a driving force for communication within the community because, currently, each group does not have a common goal. Having a common path is impossible, but as long as groups focus only on their indeterminacy and are not aware of their belonging in the same way, an integrated society cannot be created. The problem of over-liberalization, which prevents the group’s full potential from being realized, has to be solved.
References
Alzheimer’s disease and healthy aging program home. (2019). CDC.
Canada’s first poverty reduction strategy.(2022). Canada.da.
Othering & Belonging Institute. (2017).john a. powell: We the people [Video]. YouTube.