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Poverty


	Definition: Poverty is the condition of being without adequate food or money to survive within society. Examples: • Famine and starvation • Not having an adequate home or shelter • Not being able to afford adequate healthcare • Not being able to afford education • Not being able to socialise with friends due to lack of money Why the situation occurs? Poverty does not occur because there are not enough resources to be shared: it is reflection of the way resources are shared out both across the world and within nations and communities. 25% OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION OWN 75% OF THE WORLD’S WEALTH THE OTHER 75% OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION SHARE THE OTHER 25% BETWEEN THEM There are two types of poverty relative poverty and absolute poverty: - Relative poverty is people who are less well off than others and do not have the money to function normally within a society. - Absolute poverty is people who do not have enough to survive physically, for example not enough food to eat. Poverty usually occurs because resources are not shared out equally within a society or because of the way society works. It is very rare in countries with people starving that the richest people will be affected and also in almost all cases of famine the growth of cash crops such as coffee, sugar and cocoa for the rich nations continues without hindrance. How you can make a difference: Tackle the issue – help people to understand the differences in people’s lives in the different parts of the world and why these occur. Learn how it feels to be without the basics in life and what it would mean for health, education etc. Find out about poverty in your own community and look at how this may be changed. Use the materials and tools provided to follow the process of: 1. Identify the problem 2. Develop Awareness and empathy 3. Take action 4. Measure the change Resources and links: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) website contains information on this subject: http://www.undp.org The eradication of Poverty and Hunger is the first Millennium Development Goal. More information on the MDGs and on Poverty can be found on the website: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals The United Nations CyberSchoolBus website includes briefing papers for teachers or leaders on the subject of poverty: http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/poverty2000/index.asp The Make Poverty History Campaign: http://www.makepovertyhistory.org