1. Why did the UN choose No Poverty as the first goal
on their list, in your opinion?
2. How extensive is poverty in the world?
3. What changes need to happen to end poverty?
1. In my opinion, the UN chose No Poverty as the first goal on their list because poverty is a fundamental issue that affects various aspects of human development. By prioritizing the eradication of poverty, the UN aims to address the root causes of many social, economic, and environmental problems. Furthermore, without addressing poverty, achieving other sustainable development goals becomes more challenging. Therefore, by focusing on poverty reduction efforts from the outset, the UN can create a strong foundation for sustainable development.
2. Poverty remains a significant global challenge, affecting millions of people worldwide. According to the World Bank, around 10% of the world's population lived in extreme poverty in 2015, which means surviving on less than $1.90 per day. However, the extent of poverty can vary across regions and countries. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are among the regions with high poverty rates, with a large proportion of the population living below the poverty line.
3. To end poverty, several changes need to be implemented on various levels. Firstly, there is a need for inclusive economic growth that provides employment opportunities and decent wages for all individuals. This can be achieved through investment in sectors that have the potential to generate sustainable and inclusive growth, such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and technology. Additionally, there is a need for social protection programs to provide a safety net for vulnerable populations, ensuring access to basic services and income support. Moreover, addressing systemic issues like gender inequality, discrimination, and corruption is crucial to create an enabling environment for poverty reduction. Collaboration between governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector is essential to implement effective policies, mobilize resources, and ensure coordinated efforts to end poverty.
1. The UN chose to prioritize the goal of No Poverty as the first on their list due to several reasons. Firstly, poverty is a fundamental issue that affects millions of people globally, impacting their access to basic human rights such as food, shelter, healthcare, and education. By addressing poverty, the UN aims to tackle one of the root causes of inequality and improve the overall well-being of individuals and societies. Additionally, eliminating poverty is closely linked to achieving other Sustainable Development Goals, such as good health, quality education, gender equality, and reduced inequality.
2. Poverty remains a significant global challenge. According to the World Bank, as of 2021, around 9.2% of the world's population lives in extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $1.90 per day. This translates to around 689 million people. Moreover, a vast number of individuals face various forms of poverty, including multidimensional poverty, which takes into account factors such as education, health, access to clean water, and sanitation.
3. Ending poverty requires a multifaceted and comprehensive approach. Here are some changes that need to happen:
a) Economic empowerment: Promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth to ensure equitable access to resources, job opportunities, and income generation.
b) Social safety nets: Establishing social protection programs that provide support and assistance to vulnerable populations, including cash transfers, healthcare coverage, and educational opportunities.
c) Access to essential services: Improving access to quality education, healthcare, clean water, sanitation, and affordable housing for all individuals.
d) Gender equality: Ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and girls, as gender disparities contribute significantly to poverty.
e) Sustainable development: Implementing sustainable policies and practices that protect the environment and address climate change to secure the future well-being of communities and prevent poverty.
f) Empowering marginalized groups: Promoting empowerment and participation of marginalized populations, including indigenous communities, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities, to address inequalities and overcome poverty.
g) Global partnerships: Encouraging international cooperation, financial assistance, and technology transfer to support poverty reduction efforts in developing countries.
It is important to note that the alleviation of poverty involves complex systemic changes that require the collaboration of governments, civil society organizations, and individuals to create sustainable solutions.