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Poverty and Development
Documents and Reports | Articles Documents and Reports
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | Archived Documents, Reports and Articles
Human Development Report 2006 (November 9, 2006)
The 2006 Human Development Report argues that water and sanitation must be put “front and centre on the development agenda.” 1.1 and 2.6 billion people do not have access to clean water and sanitation respectively, causing the death of nearly two million children annually. Reaching the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) on water and sanitation would save these lives as well as bring large economic benefits to developing countries, and is essential to reaching the other seven MDGs. Hoping to see diminishing “tolerance for […] extreme inequalities,” and the G8 countries taking on a central role, the report calls for a ‘Global Action Plan’ to tackle the global water and sanitation crisis similar to the way major US and European cities tackled their deadly water and sanitation situation 100 years ago. (United Nations Development Programme)
This report by the UN Secretary General looks at the last ten years of worldwide efforts to reduce poverty. Although poverty has decreased in Asia, the UN observed little progress in Latin America and especially Africa. These regions suffer from wide income inequality preventing economic growth from translating into reduced poverty. (United Nations)
In preparation for the Millennium+5 Summit at the United Nations in September 2005, this report details the progress, or rather the lack of progress, toward the eight Millennium Development Goals, and how large an effort is needed to achieve them. The report represents the most comprehensive accounting to date on how far the world has come toward achieving these goals. While some countries are on track to achieving the goals, Sub-Saharan Africa lags far behind and will require unprecedented effort and action. (United Nations)
After more than two years of work, the United Nations Millennium Project published its final report, “Investing in Development,” in January 2005. This Global Policy Forum and Friedrich Ebert Foundation briefing paper provides a more accessible analytical summary on the massive report and places it in a political context.
This report from the UN Millennium Project lays out a comprehensive strategy for combating global poverty, hunger and disease. With an investment of just 0.5 % of their incomes, the industrialized countries can cut extreme poverty in half by 2015 – but they have to act right now.2007
G8 Countries Have Not Met Their Promises (June 6, 2007)
Social Watch’s Basic Capabilities Index (BCI) measures poverty based on education, child mortality and reproductive health. This 2007 BCI report finds that at the current rate of progress, “a minimum set of social services” will not be universally accessible in Sub-Saharan Africa until 2108 – almost a century beyond the Millennium Development Goals target date of 2015. Social Watch calls on the world’s wealthiest countries to seize the opportunity of the June G8 summit “to fulfill their side of the agreement” by increasing aid and debt relief to Africa.Human Tide: The Real Migration Crisis (May 14, 2007)
Christian Aid warns that climate change will worsen an already serious migration crisis in developing countries. Based on current trends, this report predicts that large-scale development projects, environmental deterioration, and conflict – particularly over increasingly scarce natural resources – may force 1 billion people from their homes by 2050.The World Is Still Waiting (May 11, 2007)
This Oxfam report calls on the G8 countries to fulfill their promise of increasing international aid to US$50 billion per year by 2010. Based on current aid trends, the G8 risk missing this target by “a staggering US$30 billion” – an amount which Oxfam estimates has the potential to “save at least five million lives.” Despite their pledges to significantly increase international donations – especially to Africa – aid from G8 countries actually decreased in 2006 for the first time in almost a decade.State of the World’s Mothers 2007 (May 2007)
Save the Children’s eighth annual State of the World’s Mothers report focuses “on the 28,000 children under age 5 who die every day from easily preventable or treatable causes.” Along with an analysis on the living conditions of children worldwide, the report provides key recommendations to governments on improving children’s lives, such as ensuring the well-being of mothers, expanding health care, and increasing funding for basic medicines. The study concludes with a “Mothers’ Index,” which ranks 140 countries to show “where mothers and children fare best and where they face the greatest hardship” – Sweden and Niger, respectively.Signing Away the Future--Summary (March 20, 2007)
This Oxfam report finds that rich countries are using regional and bilateral trade deals to attain “enormous irreversible concessions” from poor countries, making these agreements far more damaging to development than anything proposed under World Trade Organization negotiations. Arguing that these deals have “grave implications” both for the environment and for economic growth, Oxfam calls for trade rules that recognize the rights of developing countries and work to reduce poverty.Going Public Can Solve the Global Water Crisis (March 19, 2007)
In a report featuring “water experts” from Brazil, Cambodia, India and Uganda, the World Development Movement (WDM) argues that public water provision is key to “tackling the global water crisis” and promoting development. Citing greater efficiency and community participation as benefits of “going public,” WDM calls for more international aid money to support “public utility reform.”2006
Taking the Next Step: Implementing A Currency Transaction Development Levy (December 2006)
A “minimal” tax on currency transactions would allow countries to generate the funds necessary to meet the Millennium Development Goals. This Stamp Out Poverty article proposes a 0.005% development levy on all foreign exchange transactions, which would then provide funding for clean water, health resources, and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund. This proposal, however, as opposed to many other currency transaction tax proposals, does not aim to curb harmful currency speculation.Eye on Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (October 11, 2006)
The Publish What You Pay coalition examines progress made on the ‘Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative’ (EITI). “By developing a process to publicly disclose the revenues governments receive” from oil, gas and mining, EITI works to help countries avoid the “resource curse.” Outlining steps necessary to curb corruption and ensure countries spend natural resource revenues to reduce poverty and generate economic growth, this report evaluates government performance in the 21 countries that endorsed the EITI in 2002. While Nigeria and Azerbaijan have made significant progress, “in about half of the countries, governments have failed to match their rhetoric with tangible measures.”Urgent Need to Invest More in Developing World's Record Youth Population, Says World Development Report (September 16, 2006)
Focusing on youth, the 2007 annual World Bank publication reports that the world population of people aged 12-24 has reached a record 1.3 billion, living mainly in poor countries. According to the report, this “demographic dividend” creates a short “window of opportunity” for poor country governments to stimulate social and economic development, before this huge generation reaches middle-age. The report strongly emphasizes the importance of governments investing in better education, healthcare and job training thereby “expanding opportunities,” “improving capabilities,” and “offering second chances” to the young.How the World Bank’s Energy Framework Sells the Climate and Poor People Short (September 2006)
Poorest Countries Must Invest in Science, Technology to Develop: UN Report (July 19, 2007)
Examining the World Bank’s ‘Investment Framework for Clean Energy and Development,’ nine non-governmental organizations reveal that the bank invests US$2-3 billion a year in greenhouse gas-producing fossil fuel projects, yet only five percent of its overall energy financing in renewable energy projects. The bank thereby fails “to reap the double dividend” of fighting both poverty and climate change with locally available renewable energy technologies. “Public funding for fossil fuels is a complete anachronism,” and this report insists on a complete halt to the practice. Countries must redirect energy financing into renewable technologies through an “appropriate multilateral framework,” and not the Western dominated World Bank. (Friends of the Earth)Debt Boomerang (March 2006)
Based on a study of 77 heavily indebted countries, this Institute for Policy Studies report explains how poor country debt affects the citizens of wealthy nations like the US. Debts in foreign countries impact global job markets, international health plans, global warming, security, and immigration. Debt also causes great losses for the poorest citizens, as some countries in Africa must spend more on repaying loans than on health and education initiatives.Chairman’s Summary on Review of the First UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (March 2006)
The UN Commission for Social Development failed to adopt a resolution on UN achievements in poverty eradication due to fundamental political differences between the US and Southern countries - namely the G-77. The Commission only agreed to submit this summary of the panel discussion, compiled on the first day, to the Economic and Social Council of the UN.Better Data Needed for Policy Research on Access to Financial Services (February 22, 2006)
This article looks at how restricted access to basic financial services is limiting poor peoples’ chances to escape poverty. In many poor countries, although financial services such as checking accounts or credit-lines may be available, small firms and poor households cannot use them due to high costs. Often, access barriers such as account opening costs amount up to 30% or 50% of the GDP per capita. The World Bank also points out that governments need more data and research to foster poor peoples’ access to financial services.Global Partnership for Development: United Nations Development Program Annual Report (2006)
This United Nations Development Program (UNDP) report focuses on democracy, health, gender, inequality, and the environment. It demonstrates the accomplishments of 2005, but also shows the need for rejuvenated development efforts. The report uses charts, tables, and pictures to illustrate the living situation among the global poor. The UNDP publication calls for collective action and financing both within the UN and between countries to strengthen the organization’s capabilities in future years.In the Public Interest – Health, Education, and Water and Sanitation for All (2006)
Poverty and Violence in Times of Peace (August 7, 2007)
This Oxfam and WaterAid report argues that public provision of health and education services play a most important role in ending global poverty. Poor country governments must commit to bigger and better investments in health and education. Rich countries, for their part, must support these initiatives and increase both quantity and quality of aid, fully cancel debt for all poor countries that need it and stop demanding budget cuts in and privatization of public services through the international financial institutions.2005
A Compendium of Inequality (October 2005)
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) published the 2005 Human Development Report just a week before the Millenium+5 Summit. The release was intended to influence governments to promote a more incisive approach to development, aid and security policies. This briefing paper analyzes the report and agrees with the UNDP’s concern that in the current path towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the lack of distribution and social justice policies is leading to a “blind spot.” (Global Policy Forum and Friedrich Ebert Foundation)UN Summit: Barriers to Schooling Undermine Goals (September 13, 2005)
Schooling is a fundamental right of every child and it is also one of the targets on the Millennium Development Goals. The first intermediate deadline, getting an equal numbers of boys and girls into school by 2005, has already been missed. The report “Failing Our Children: Barriers to the Right to Education” from Human Rights Watch found that, in many poor countries, school fees, the related costs (books, transportation, uniforms) and poverty still cause many children to drop out of school or never attend at all. This release urges countries to not deny children their right to education.Reducing Poverty by Tackling Social Exclusion (September 2005)
Very often, poverty and social exclusion coexist. People who are discriminated against on the basis of their race, religion or gender can not claim their political and economic rights. As in Indonesia, Sudan or Kosovo, conflict and insecurity grow and governments’ development policies fail to reach the socially excluded people with almost no opportunities to build a better life. This paper from the UK Department for International Development deals with social exclusion and the ways in which governments and NGOs can eliminate it.The East-West Economic Corridor: The Burma Road to Maldevelopment (June 28, 2005)
Southeast Asia has benefited from rapid economic growth, spurring demand for improved infrastructure throughout the region. The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), a group of six countries within the Mekong River basin, is the focus of a massive development project, which includes the East-West Economic Corridor. This road will connect Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, creating the first land route from the Andaman Sea to the South China Sea. Unfortunately, GMS development exemplifies the irresponsible and damaging nature of large-scale projects—as it ignores Myanmar’s grave human rights abuses, disregards the adverse environmental impacts, and marginalizes the poor, who will be most negatively affected. (EarthRights International)"We Don't Do Childhood Poverty - We Do Large Roads!" (April 2005)
This Save the Children Europe report examines the European Union’s efforts to realize the UN Millennium Development Goals with regard to childhood poverty. According to the report, the EU has so far largely failed to focus on children’s issues despite the fact that over 600 million children - an estimated one in four - live in absolute poverty worldwide. The report recommends the EU adopt a more coherent strategy to address children’s rights, bring children to the forefront of its development agenda and increase its foreign aid spending.Helsinki Process Proposes a G-20 Summit to Bridge North-South Gap (January 27, 2005)
Three reports from Helsinki Process Track Groups underline the need for global political leadership to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals. The reports argue that the current G7/G8 is too narrow in its membership and propose a more inclusive regular summit of 20 heads of state. The Track Groups also recommend full cancellation of poor country debt, doubling aid and reforming global agricultural trade. (Helsinki Process on Globalisation and Democracy)Making Natural Resources into a Blessing Rather than a Curse (2005)
Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz calls for changes in both rich and poor countries’ natural resource policy that deplete resources and marginalize citizens in the exporting country. Stiglitz argues that resource-rich countries should use money from resource extraction towards high return investments to further long term economic growth. Furthermore, Northern countries and the International Monetary Fund must stop the demand that countries privatize resources because profits then go to foreign firms. (Excerpt from Covering Oil: A Reporter's Guide to Energy and Development)
Articles
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | Archived Documents, Reports and Articles 2008
Philanthrocapitalism: After the Goldrush (March 20, 2008)
The author of this article is skeptical of profit-oriented philanthropy and its tendency to ignore “power, politics and social relations” – the very drivers of social transformation – and focus on free market mechanisms instead. The author fears that the hype surrounding philanthrocapitalism precludes rational debate on the issue. Without discussion or accountability, philanthrocapitalists like Bill Gates will continue to squander huge amounts of money on the symptoms of global inequality and poverty, rather than systematically addressing the causes. (openDemocracy)Alternative Financing for Development (February 7, 2008)
In this presentation at a conference on global development finance, the author criticizes development aid as being “part of a system that generates deepening inequality and dependence across and within countries.” The author uses Venezuela as an example of a new and improved approach to development, where the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) promotes regional integration and political cooperation to help member countries develop without becoming dependent on donors in the North. (Pambazuka)Credit for the Poor (Fall 2007) 2007
The global socioeconomic system rewards banks and businesses for seeking to maximize profit, rather than endorsing principles such as equity and inclusiveness. Consequently, more than half of the world’s population is denied access to loans provided by conventional banks and thus has little opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty. In this Harvard International Review article, Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus argues that microcredit can be a powerful alternative.
Analysts warn that twenty years after the signing of the peace accords in Central America, which ended years of civil war, the economic and social causes of those wars still exist, and could represent potential threats to peace and stability in the region. Economist Miguel Gutierrez stated that “little has changed” with respect to poverty and social inequality, since the signing of the 1996 peace accords. This Inter Press Service article argues that “economic and social marginalization and the need for regional integration” are the most critical issues still today.
According to a report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the world’s least developed countries should invest in science and technology if they want to compete with industrialized countries. Donors should give more funds “for research and for training professionals” as the brain drain that is underway in these countries is “depriving them of skilled workers.” (Associated Press)Poverty Reduction and Climate Change Inextricably Linked, Say Activists (June 5, 2007)
Arguing that the effects of climate change in developing countries “will wipe out all efforts to help the poor through commitments such as aid,” G8 protestors have called for the group of eight industrial nations to take definitive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The activists underscore the link between global warming and poverty, and state that the 2007 G8 summit must address both simultaneously “for there to be real improvement in [the] living conditions” of the world’s poorest people. (Inter Press Service)GCAP to Take Up Climate Change as a Core Issue (May 21, 2007)
After a “lengthy and heated debate,” the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) has added climate change to its agenda. GCAP argues that this inclusion will allow discussion on the overlap between global warming and world poverty. However, many poor countries fear that the Western governments will use this as an excuse to focus on climate change and overlook GCAP’s core issues, such as improved development aid, fair trade, and debt relief. (OneWorld)Fair Trade Begins to Bear Fruit (May 2, 2007)
This Inter Press Service article reports on the benefits of fair trade to small farmers and artisans in developing countries such as Guatemala, where it has allowed thousands of coffee growers to earn as much as 100 percent more than would be possible in the conventional market. Business analysts say that the fair trade system maximizes profit for the producers while “taking into account factors like the human being, the environment, [and] the non-use of child labor.”World to US: We Demand Climate Justice (April 18, 2007)
This OneWorld article reports that the United States “exacerbates poverty by contributing more to climate change than any other country.” Global anti-poverty and religious leaders have therefore called on the US government “to take drastic and immediate action” to minimize the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, arguing that “the battle against climate change [is] a moral test” for the US.Poor Nations to Bear Brunt as World Warms (April 1, 2007)
Although the world’s richest countries have contributed the most toward global warming, the poorest will likely suffer the worst effects. Arguing that “catastrophes are not democratic” and will do more damage to developing countries near the equator, this New York Times article calls on northern industrial nations to fund “adaptation” projects to lessen the impacts of climate change in “the world’s most vulnerable spots.”Poor Nations Fear Big Powers Could Trample Their Concerns in WTO Talks (March 5, 2007)
With the revival of the Doha round of trade negotiations, poor countries fear the “Group of 4” – the US, the EU, Brazil, and India – will “bulldoze” their concerns over farm subsidies and other issues. Arguing that “nobody else will fight for you,” a senior African diplomat urged poor countries to be “proactive” in protecting their interests. (International Herald Tribune)“MDG Scan” to Benchmark Private Contribution (February 27, 2007)
A Dutch research organization has created an “MDG Scan” to measure the contributions of transnational corporations in achieving the eight Millennium Development Goals. While acknowledging that the scan largely ignores “the dark side of private companies,” including environmental degradation and human rights violations, its creators hope that focusing on positive impacts will encourage corporations to take greater responsibility in promoting the MDGs. (Inter Press Service)Chairman’s Summary: Shadow G-8 (February 9, 2007)
Joseph Stiglitz summarizes a discussion on “global growth with responsibility” by “a diverse group of concerned citizens from around the world,” including leading economists and former government officials. The resulting consensus calls for a reformed G8 process which would enable participation from all countries “to discuss informally the major issues facing the world,” with a focus on the four immediate problems of climate change, global imbalances, global governance, and poverty, especially in Africa. (Initiative for Policy Dialogue)2006
South-South Trade Boom Reshapes Global Order (December 21, 2006)
This Inter Press Service article attributes the rapid expansion of South-South trade and foreign direct investment to larger developing countries such as India, Brazil, South Africa, and China. These “new economic powerhouses” increasingly provide aid and debt relief to many of the 50 least developed countries, thereby promoting development through the generation of jobs and wealth in the global South.How to Help the Poor Out of Poverty (May 16, 2006)
Stephen C. Smith, Professor of Economics at George Washington University, argues that rich countries must provide sufficient aid and high-quality policy advice to support poor countries’ development. Although the article points out the importance of political advice from the World Bank and Northern NGOs, it emphasizes that this advice should enable poor countries to make their own choices on how best to develop. In addition, the author proposes that the World Bank create a new advisory body, which would give poor countries a larger voice in development decision making. (Globalist)Donor Backing Grows for Global Vaccinations Scheme (May 16, 2006)
Three more countries joined the eight-country coalition supporting the International Finance Facility for Immunizations (IFFIm). The financial securities of these governments allow the IFFIm to borrow money from the financial markets to increase funds for immunization and development of new vaccines. Although this initiative, launched by the Global Alliance for Vaccinations and Immunizations (GAVI), does not raise additional funds, it enables the organization to improve poor people’s health immediately. Nevertheless, NGOs raise concerns about future lack of funds, once GAVI has to repay the borrowed money. (Reuters)Ten Stories That Desperately Need to Be Told (May 15, 2006)
Every year, the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) publishes a list of the 10 most under-reported stories. DPI’s Director and Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, Shashi Tharoor, sees the media’s obsession with bloody conflict as the main reason development related issues do not grab much attention in the world’s press. This Inter Press Service article describes the difficulties many non-sensationalistic media face, and looks at press initiatives from poor countries that try to cover development issues.Simple Measures Urged to Save Lives at Birth (May 9, 2006)
According to a report by Save the Children on the “State of the World's Mothers 2006,” more than four millions newborns die each year in their first month of life – 99% of which live in poor countries. The report suggests that with low-cost tools like sterile blades, antibiotics for pneumonia and knit caps to keep them warm, three out of four newborn deaths could be avoided. Governments should train birth attendants, encourage immunization programs and educate parents on breast-feeding. (International Herald Tribune)It Takes a Village to Save the MDGs (May 5, 2006)
Under the guidance of Jeffrey Sachs, the UN Millennium Project established 78 so-called Millennium Villages demonstrating how little spending in fields like health and education can “dramatically accelerate” Africa’s rural development. Since 2000, the initiative has shown that villages can meet many of the Millennium Development Goals if empowered by international aid and practical technologies such as fertilizers or insecticide-treated bed nets. While many of these villages seem capable to gain self-sufficiency in the near future, rich countries have to provide more aid to allow all of the poor areas to follow these examples. (Inter Press Service)Aid that Works? Multi-Donor Budgetary Support in Ghana (March 29, 2006)
Based on a report by the World Institute for Development Economics Research (WIDER), this article looks at the efforts of various donor countries to provide more independent and predictable aid to Ghana. As aid programs conducted directly by rich countries firms “have had limited success” in reducing poverty, the Multi-Donor Budgetary Support (MDBS) approach directly funds development programs chosen by the Ghanaian government. Although major donors such as Japan still refuse to participate, the initiative could help untie aid flows from rich countries’ commercial interests. (ID21)Aid Inflows, Debt Relief Yet to Translate into Reduced Poverty (March 20, 2006)
Uganda, as many other sub-Saharan African countries, has achieved increased economic growth accompanied by moderate inflation rates. However, this “macroeconomic stability” has failed to improve the living conditions of the country’s poor. At a meeting organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ugandan government officials pointed out that, although the country receives more aid flows “on paper” they have little impact “on the ground.” (New Vision)No "Magic Bullets" to End Poverty, Says Jeffrey Sachs (March 20, 2006)
In this interview, Jeffrey Sachs, head of the UN Millennium Project, responds to critiques to his Millennium Village project. In close cooperation with governments and NGOs, this initiative tries to attack poverty through rural development in different regions around Africa. According to Sachs, in many local communities “ambitious programmes” exist to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 or even 2010. Nevertheless, he emphasizes that only increased external assistance will allow poor countries to finance urgently needed investments in health, education, food production and infrastructure. (United Nations Integrated Regional Information Networks)Trade Rules a Stumbling Block to Realising the MDGs (March 15, 2006)
In this interview, Director of Programmes of Third World Network-Africa Tetteh Homeku explains how predominant trading rules hinder Africa’s development. Although foreign direct investment (FDI) can generate growth, the region requires strong local industries and better access to foreign markets to foster development. In addition, Mr. Homeku encourages the UN Agencies and Programmes that work in the region to support existing developing campaigns instead of “reinventing the wheel.” (Inter Press Service)UN Unveils Plan to Release Untapped Wealth of...$7 Trillion (And Solve the World's Problems at a Stroke) (January 30, 2006)
By attacking global challenges such as malnutrition, global warming and financial crises before they actually occur, political leaders could unlock US$ 7 trillion. A UN Development Programme (UNDP) proposal encourages governments to internationally implement six specific financial tools to raise resources for development, including investments in vaccines, trade of pollution permits, and currency transaction taxes. (Independent)2005
Poverty, Disease, Environmental Decline Are True 'Axis of Evil' (January 12, 2005)
The State of the World 2005 Report from the Worldwatch Institute argues that the “war on terror” is diverting world’s attention from more serious threats to global instability. Poverty, infectious disease and environmental degradation create conditions in which extremism thrives and new conflicts emerge. Dealing with these challenges requires preventive engagement rather than use of brute military force.Millennium Development Goals Are Failing (December 4, 2005)
Looking at figures from the ActionAid International report “Whose Freedom?,” this article argues that “the Millennium Development Goals are failing.” In 19 countries people did not experience any progress in terms of food access, health services and education and in some cases their conditions even worsened. According to the author, multilateral institutions and governments should stop promoting “free-market-obsessed” policies which prevent the achievement of such goals. (Asian Age)How 'Scientific' Are the Millennium Development Goals? (September 19, 2005)
Some economic analysts criticize the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) approach to development for their “significant uncertainty” in measuring progress. Meanwhile, supporters of the MDGs stress that the political value of such a campaign is more important than measuring figures. This article calls for a development strategy that would measure progress in both statistics figures and political commitments. (One World)The Root Cause of Poverty in Latin America (September 13, 2005)
Political leaders rarely discuss redistribution in their speeches on development. They should. The experience of several Latin American countries shows that social policies of redistribution, rather than privatization and liberalization, strongly contribute to reduce inequality and promote development. (Inter Press Service)Connecting Nature, Power and Poverty (August 31, 2005)
A World Resources Institute report argues that poverty elimination and the preservation of natural resources are closely interlinked. This article argues that public control of environmental resources should replace former policies of privatization. (Inter Press Service)The Hope and Hype of Microcredit (August 10, 2005)
Microcredit schemes seek to fight poverty by extending loans to very poor people, especially women, for starting or expanding businesses. Even though the United Nations declared 2005 the official year of microcredit, some researchers question its efficiency because sometimes recipients are not able to repay their loans. Furthermore, microcredit does not always target the poorest and less educated people and instead creates social inequalities. (Inter Press Service)UN Millennium Summit in Danger of Being Hijacked (August 2, 2005)
This Inter Press Service article predicts that debates on UN reform, peacekeeping, terrorism and human rights will eclipse the projected development theme of the upcoming Millennium +5 Summit in September 2005. With the Millennium Development Goals already far from meeting their 2015 target, further sidelining of the development agenda would damage the UN’s credibility, writes the author.We Must Put More on the Plate to Fight Poverty (July 5, 2005)
Under international pressure, the Group of Eight (G8) leaders committed to increase aid to Africa, but far more support is needed to fight global poverty than what the leaders pledged in Gleneagles. The Bush administration “should rethink its modest commitments,” according to this Washington Post article, for humanitarian reasons as well as for security concerns. Poverty contributes not only to the spread of terrorism, but also increases the risk of epidemics, “crime, narcotics trafficking, environmental degradation and weapons proliferation.”Why Turn a Blind Eye to Tyranny? (July 4, 2005)
Debt relief and increased aid cannot alone alleviate poverty in Africa, according to this International Herald Tribune editorial. Rather than oversimplifying the debate on aid to Africa, world leaders would do well to attack the root causes of poverty, such as corruption and human rights violations, if they are committed to “making poverty history.” Aid to Africa must be accompanied by “an equally serious effort to address human rights violations,” or world leaders will risk strengthening and funding the abusive governments responsible for so much of the continent’s misery.Africa Needs Food Security, Not Experimental Crops (July 1, 2005)
Although biotechnology corporations—and some governments—are promoting genetically modified (GM) crops as a “miracle solution” to world hunger, the use of GM crops could “do more damage than good.” Rather than investing millions of dollars in a “grandiose biological experiment” without a clear idea of how it will help African farmers and consumers, governments and corporations should investigate alternative, region-specific solutions to poverty and hunger. (Inter Press Service)Jeffrey Sachs: 'Don't Let the G8 Leaders Leave Scotland Without a Serious Plan for Ending Poverty' (June 20, 2005)
Jeffrey Sachs, director of the UN Millennium Development Project, describes in this interview with the Independent how simple and inexpensive it can be to end poverty. Poverty is “not just something that just happens, like rain. It is something that we can change in a short period of time.” Man-made and preventable pitfalls are trapping poor countries in a cycle of debt and poverty. “The G8 is the time for the world to stand up and say, 'no more,' " Sachs argues.Doha Declaration Adopted: Accord to Revitalize S-S Cooperation (June 16, 2005)
In preparation for the Group of Eight summit in Scotland, countries from the Group of 77 met to adopt their Doha Declaration and the Doha Plan of Action. The Group of 132 poor countries called for increased South-South cooperation and trade, more focus on sustainable development, and a more open and fair global trading system. (Bernama)Military Gobbles Funds Earmarked for Social Development (February 7, 2005)
Growing military spending and the “war on terrorism” are diverting economic resources from social development, warns a new UN report. At present, governments spend about 20 times more on defense and anti-terrorism measures than on economic and social development worldwide. According to the president of the Washington-based Population Institute, saving on social programs is short-sighted and will only “breed alienation, discontent, rebellion, and terrorism.” (Inter Press Service)Mission Possible: Can the Millennium Development Goals be Saved? (February 6, 2005)
Despite some alarming statistics that suggest it could take up to a hundred years to implement the “ludicrously optimistic” Millennium Development Goals, this Boston Globe commentator believes Jeffrey Sachs’ Millennium Project recommendations greatly improve their achievability.UN Aims to Cut Poverty in Half as Experts Wonder How to Measure It (February 3, 2005)
Halving extreme poverty by 2015 is a central objective of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals. However, defining and measuring poverty is not only complicated, but it is also susceptible to political influence. Unless the World Bank takes measures to ensure the impartiality of its staff, meeting the poverty reduction target could involve more statistical manipulation than actual progress. (New York Times)UN Proposes Doubling of Aid to Cut Poverty (January 18, 2005)
Millennium Project head Jeffrey Sachs revealed an ambitious set of proposals designed to help the world meet the Millennium Development Goals. The report advocates for the doubling of aid to poor countries from a quarter of one percent of national incomes to a half of one percent. Human rights advocates have expressed concern that the recommendations do not adequately emphasize “the need […] to make deep political and social changes to reduce poverty.” (New York Times)UN Emergency Coordinator Rebuffs Critics Who Say Tsunami Relief Was Too Slow (January 4, 2005)
While the world has responded with engagement and aid to the Asian tsunami disaster, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland remains frustrated over rich countries' reluctance to prevent the daily and needless deaths of 30,000 children. Poverty, preventable diseases and neglect cause a “tsunami every week” says Egeland. (UN News)
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