The Copenhagen Declaration describes absolute poverty as "a condition characterised by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information."
The World Bank identifies "extreme poverty" as being people who live on less than USD $1 a day, and "poverty" as less than $2 a day.
Table of Contents
1 Definition of poverty
2 Fighting against poverty
2.1 Asian Development Bank (ADB)
2.2 Corporate Foundations - e.g. Ford
2.3 European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
2.4 European Commission
2.5 International Monetary Fund
2.6 Inter American Development Bank
2.7 UNESCO
2.8 United Nations
2.9 World Bank
3 What has been done
3.1 Millennium Development Goals
3.2 Micro financing
4 Conclusion
5 Facts and Figures
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This academic work explores the global challenge of reducing world poverty by examining the roles and strategies of major international organizations and institutions. It aims to identify effective mechanisms for poverty eradication, specifically focusing on financial aid, policy interventions, and the impact of the Millennium Development Goals.
- Definitions of absolute and extreme poverty.
- Strategic approaches used by international organizations to combat poverty.
- The implementation and significance of the Millennium Development Goals.
- The role of micro-financing in empowering individuals in developing economies.
- The correlation between economic growth and poverty reduction.
Book Excerpt
2 Fighting against poverty
Basically, there are a lot of organisations, both governmental as well as non-governmental, who are trying to reduce poverty in this world. The aims of every organisation are quite similar and differ mainly from the regions which they are supporting.
The main instruments of supporting is financial aid such as loans, grants as well as technical assistance to low-income countries to build the financial, human, social and natural assets they need to overcome poverty.
Following there will be a short overview of some organisations (alphabetically) which are fighting against poverty. However, the main development is the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) which mainly emphasise the following points:
pro-poor, sustainable economic growth based on policies and programs that facilitate employment and income generation for the poor
social development, which can enable the poor to make full use of opportunities to improve their living standard, and programs that directly address the severity of poverty
good governance to ensure that the poor have better access to basic services and greater voice and participation in the decisions affecting them
Summary of Chapters
1 Definition of poverty: This chapter defines the concepts of absolute and extreme poverty according to international standards such as the Copenhagen Declaration and the World Bank.
2 Fighting against poverty: This section provides an overview of various governmental and non-governmental organizations and their strategies, such as Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRS), to address economic and social challenges.
2.1 Asian Development Bank (ADB): Examines the goals and results of the ADB regarding poverty reduction in the Asia and Pacific region.
2.2 Corporate Foundations - e.g. Ford: Discusses how private foundations like the Ford Foundation contribute to democratic values and poverty alleviation.
2.3 European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD): Details how the EBRD supports market economies and democratic structures through financial assistance.
2.4 European Commission: Describes the mission of the EC to eradicate poverty through international partnerships and sustainable development.
2.5 International Monetary Fund: Highlights the role of the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) in assisting low-income countries.
2.6 Inter American Development Bank: Focuses on the IADB's support for development programs in Latin America and the Caribbean.
2.7 UNESCO: Explores the human rights dimension of poverty as addressed by UNESCO's multi-sector programs.
2.8 United Nations: Discusses the UN's focus on equality of opportunity, social welfare, and improving the employability of the workforce.
2.9 World Bank: Analyzes the World Bank's emphasis on country-owned Poverty Reduction Strategies.
3 What has been done: This chapter evaluates established initiatives taken on a global scale to address the needs of the world's poorest populations.
3.1 Millennium Development Goals: Outlines the eight primary goals set for 2015 to combat poverty, hunger, and disease.
3.2 Micro financing: Explains the impact of micro-credit programs in enabling poor entrepreneurs to exit poverty through self-employment.
4 Conclusion: Summarizes the necessity of sustained long-term efforts and the focus on basic needs as the foundation for broader economic development.
5 Facts and Figures: Presents statistical data and visual representations regarding poverty trends and developmental factors.
Keywords
Poverty, Millennium Development Goals, Micro-financing, World Bank, Economic Growth, Sustainable Development, International Organizations, Financial Aid, Social Welfare, Poverty Reduction Strategy, Employment, Inequality, Human Rights, Developing Countries, Global Poverty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this document?
The document investigates global efforts to reduce poverty, highlighting the strategies of key international organizations and the effectiveness of development programs.
Which thematic areas are primarily covered?
Key areas include the definitions of poverty, the roles of international banking and aid institutions, the Millennium Development Goals, and micro-financing.
What is the primary objective of the work?
The goal is to understand how financial aid, policy interventions, and global initiatives can contribute to halving world poverty by the target year of 2015.
Which research approach is utilized?
The work employs a descriptive and comparative analysis of organizational policies and international development reports to evaluate current poverty reduction strategies.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines organizational responses to poverty, the specific contributions of institutions like the IMF and UNESCO, and the practical application of development strategies like micro-financing.
Which keywords summarize the content?
Key terms include Poverty, Millennium Development Goals, Micro-financing, Sustainable Development, and Financial Aid.
How does the author categorize the role of micro-financing?
Micro-financing is seen as a vital tool for enabling non-bankable individuals and small entrepreneurs to generate income and build personal wealth.
Why are basic needs emphasized in the conclusion?
The author argues that without establishing basic infrastructure like water and education, a country cannot develop a functional, self-sustaining economy.
- Quote paper
- Marieluise Bruch (Author), 2005, World Poverty, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/46230
