Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Bridging the gap in opportunities will make our economies, societies and democracies stronger and more resilient.
The WISE Centre launched its new report To Have and Have Not – How to Bridge the Gap in Opportunities.
This report is the latest in a series of OECD reports on equality of opportunity – and the first to be released under the Observatory on Social Mobility and Equal Opportunity which the OECD created in 2022. It provides an overview of the state of opportunities in OECD countries, as measured for market income, and how they are distributed across the population.
Learn more about this report: oecd.org/en/publications/to-have-and-have-not-how-to-bridge-the-gap-in-opportunities_dec143ad-en.html
0:04 Opening remarks by Mathias Cormann, OECD Secretary-General
Keynote addresses:
11:18 Clément Beaune, Haut-commissaire à la Stratégie et au Plan, France
22:44 Frank Vandenbroucke, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Belgium (pre-recorded video message)
26:54 Panel discussion – Bridging the gap in opportunities: Where are the main challenges and
what are the solutions?
Moderator: Romina Boarini, Director of the OECD WISE Centre
• Carlotta Balestra, Head of the Inequalities Unit at the OECD WISE Centre and main
author of the report To Have and Have Not – How to Bridge the Gap in Opportunities
• Francisco Ferreira, Amartya Sen Professor of Inequality Studies and Director of the
International Inequalities Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science
• Hanna Agbanrin, Representative from the OECD’s Youth Advisory Board
• Rudi Van Dam, Director-General for Analysis and Monitoring, Federal Public Service -
Social Security, Belgium
• Michael Pandazis, Head of Analysis, UK Social Mobility Commission
Q&A with the public (online and onsite)
#oecd #opportunities #equalitydebate
ABOUT THE OECD
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation established in 1960 that works collaboratively to build better policies for better lives. Our goal is to shape policies that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity and well-being for all. Together with governments, policy makers, policy shapers, and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.
To learn more about the OECD, our global reach, and how to join us, go to oecd.org/about To keep up with latest at the OECD, visit oecd.org
© OECD 2025, All rights reserved.
Bridging the gap in opportunities will make our economies, societies and democracies stronger and more resilient.
The WISE Centre launched its new report To Have and Have Not – How to Bridge the Gap in Opportunities.
This report is the latest in a series of OECD reports on equality of opportunity – and the first to be released under the Observatory on Social Mobility and Equal Opportunity which the OECD created in 2022. It provides an overview of the state of opportunities in OECD countries, as measured for market income, and how they are distributed across the population.
Learn more about this report: oecd.org/en/publications/to-have-and-have-not-how-to-bridge-the-gap-in-opportunities_dec143ad-en.html
0:04 Opening remarks by Mathias Cormann, OECD Secretary-General
Keynote addresses:
11:18 Clément Beaune, Haut-commissaire à la Stratégie et au Plan, France
22:44 Frank Vandenbroucke, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Belgium (pre-recorded video message)
26:54 Panel discussion – Bridging the gap in opportunities: Where are the main challenges and
what are the solutions?
Moderator: Romina Boarini, Director of the OECD WISE Centre
• Carlotta Balestra, Head of the Inequalities Unit at the OECD WISE Centre and main
author of the report To Have and Have Not – How to Bridge the Gap in Opportunities
• Francisco Ferreira, Amartya Sen Professor of Inequality Studies and Director of the
International Inequalities Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science
• Hanna Agbanrin, Representative from the OECD’s Youth Advisory Board
• Rudi Van Dam, Director-General for Analysis and Monitoring, Federal Public Service -
Social Security, Belgium
• Michael Pandazis, Head of Analysis, UK Social Mobility Commission
Q&A with the public (online and onsite)
#oecd #opportunities #equalitydebate
ABOUT THE OECD
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation established in 1960 that works collaboratively to build better policies for better lives. Our goal is to shape policies that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity and well-being for all. Together with governments, policy makers, policy shapers, and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.
To learn more about the OECD, our global reach, and how to join us, go to oecd.org/about To keep up with latest at the OECD, visit oecd.org
© OECD 2025, All rights reserved.
