In today’s world, which is filled with newfound technological advancement, widespread wealth and endless opportunities for many, it can be both confusing and distressing that millions still live in poverty. Therefore, while we tend to celebrate the advancements of the modern world, a significant portion of humanity struggles to meet their most basic needs.
In describing the consequences of widespread poverty, Regis University Professor tells The Borgen Project in an interview, “There are many negative consequences of poverty, both for individuals and for society at large. Poverty is not only associated with exploitation, lack of decent housing, lack of access to health care and lack of access to education, which all impact life expectancy and life satisfaction at the individual level, but it has huge impacts on whole societies. Poverty correlates with high criminality, criminal gang membership and recruitment, civil war onset, with various forms of radicalization and even some forms of gender-based violence.”
As a result, the persistence of global poverty is a challenge that demands immediate attention from every corner of the globe. This being said, here are further reasons why solving global poverty is everyone’s concern.
Moral Concerns
At its core, the fight against global poverty is an urgent moral concern. This is because every individual, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the right to live a life of security and equal opportunity. Nonetheless, widespread poverty continues to undermine these moral principles by depriving individuals of access to food, clean water, education and health care, all of which are essential human rights.
In expressing these inequalities, Regis University Professor tells The Borgen Project, “Of course, we should all care about poverty because it is a moral issue and we should strive for a more just world where people have access to their basic needs at the very least. It is important to point out too that we in rich countries should reflect more often on how our consumerism and choices perpetuate poverty and rely on the oppression of poor individuals in poorer nations.”
Adding to this statement, a report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) emphasizes how poverty remains a significant obstacle to achieving basic human rights globally. For example, poverty often deprives individuals of access to fundamental necessities such as food, clean water, education and health care, all thereby impeding their ability to lead dignified lives. Finally, poverty can exacerbate existing inequalities and perpetuate systemic injustices, injustices we remain complicit in perpetuating if we fail to recognize why solving global poverty is everyone’s concern.
Global Interconnectedness
As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, the impacts of poverty also extend far beyond the communities where it is most prevalent. Poverty is something that breeds instability, perpetuates conflict, fuels migration across the globe and, as a Regis University professor tells The Borgen Project, “can be one variable explaining civil wars. Scholars have found, for example, that civil wars can spread to neighboring countries through the inflow of arms, ideas and combatants across borders. Thus, this is a very real way in which poverty can be a backdrop explaining civil war and the contagion of other neighboring countries, generating regional instability.” Therefore, the eradication of poverty is not only a matter of social justice but also a matter of global security and stability and it is a key reason why solving global poverty is everyone’s concern.
Economic Growth and Prosperity
Despite many traditional beliefs, poverty is not simply a consequence of underdevelopment. It also poses significant obstacles to all types of development. For example, poverty hinders economic growth by depriving communities of human capital and productive resources. Moreover, when individuals lack access to education and health care, their potential contributions to the economy can never be realized. In this way, poverty creates a cycle of hardships that leads families and communities into a state of continuous struggle.
Nonetheless, working to reduce poverty has the potential to break this cycle. The Department for International Development (DFID) highlights, for example, that “strong economic growth therefore advances human development, which, in turn, promotes economic growth.” Therefore, by contributing to poverty alleviation efforts and recognizing why solving global poverty is everyone’s concern, we are able to realize the economic potential of all people, leading to greater prosperity for society as a whole.
Environmental Sustainability
The alleviation of poverty is also inherently connected to environmental sustainability. Research conducted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) specifically describes this intricate relationship between poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability. The IPCC reports that poverty often compels individuals and communities to engage in unsustainable practices, such as deforestation and overexploitation of natural resources, as a means of survival.
These activities then contribute to environmental degradation, including habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity, intensifying the effects of climate change on the most vulnerable populations. As a result, impoverished communities are disproportionately affected by the negative impacts of poverty, such as extreme weather events and declining agricultural productivity. However, by helping to lift people out of poverty and providing them with paths to more prosperous livelihoods, we can promote sustainable practices that protect the planet for future generations.
Long-Term Stability
Finally, working to eradicate poverty is not merely a short-term fix. It is an investment in long-term stability and prosperity. Therefore, by realizing why solving global poverty is everyone’s concern and addressing the underlying structural factors that perpetuate it, we are able to create the conditions for sustainable development and lasting change. Improving education, health care and economic opportunities, for example, serve as platforms for societies to withstand future challenges relating to poverty.
In regard to creating these long-term solutions, Regis University Professor tells The Borgen Project, “As citizens in a democracy, we should recognize more fully the power we have to shape policy. We can form advocacy or lobbying groups, join social movements or create them and donate to international organizations that are credible in fighting poverty. We can also demand better policy-making around this area. In the United States (U.S.), a very tiny percentage of taxes are used for foreign aid through the USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development). We must demand more transparency on how funds are allocated and programs evaluated so we understand which projects and programs are more effective in poverty alleviation.” In these ways, we can lay the groundwork for a more equitable world that will prosper for years to come.
– Olivia Pitrof
Photo: Pexels
Mental Health Crisis in Irish Travelers Community
This historic and culturally rich population continues to face some of the worst discrimination and poverty of any ethnic group in Europe. Their ongoing struggle, in turn, has engendered a widespread mental health crisis among Travelers groups. In a 2021 report conducted by an Irish parliamentary committee, it was found that 11% of all Travelers die from suicide and have a suicide rate six times higher than their stationary counterparts.
Life expectancy among the Travelers community is up to 15 years shorter than that of the wider population and only 3% live past age 65. These statistics, compounded with an alarming 80% unemployment rate, societal discrimination and lack of education, make the mental health struggles of Irish Travelers a glaring issue that has only been more thoroughly addressed in recent times.
Causes
One of the primary origins of this mental health crisis is the negotiation Travelers must have between assuming their cultural identity and adhering to settled Irish societal norms. This complex and often unbalanced dynamic is exacerbated by legislative measures that impinge upon Travelers and their traditional lifestyle. This includes making it illegal for Travelers to camp on land where they have been for generations and forcing them to rest in halting sites and purpose-built residential accommodations for travelers. Furthermore, economic shifts have rendered traditional Traveler employment scarce, heightening stress and anxiety within the community.
There have even been cases of physical segregation being put into effect, such as walls to separate Travelers from settled people, further symbolizing their social marginalization and actively deepening the population’s feelings of exclusion. Furthermore, pervasive prejudice and discrimination against Travelers persists and profoundly impacts the mental well-being of this group.
The complex and systemic marginalization of this indigenous Irish population by their government and their settled counterparts demands further attention. It calls for a more excellent representation of Travelers in legislative spaces where they can actively challenge the discriminatory practices they are facing.
Efforts
Recognizing the disparities Travelers face, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, along with other government officials and the Health Service Executive (HSE), unveiled the National Travelers Health Action Plan (NTHAP) 2022-2027. This initiative marks a significant step towards addressing the mental health crisis the Irish Travelers population faces.
In line with the broader objectives of enhancing healthcare accessibility, the plan underscores the importance of preventive measures, promoting healthcare and fostering collaborative engagement with Traveler communities. The comprehensive inclusion of various mental health interventions and robust monitoring mechanisms within the NTHAP can address the vulnerability and risks that Travelers encounter in their efforts to maintain their traditional way of life for hundreds of years.
Final Remark
Through sustained collaboration and investment, the NTHAP represents a landmark initiative fostering mental health resilience and inclusivity within the Travelers community. By addressing systemic factors perpetuating mental health challenges, the plan heralds a future of improved outcomes and greater societal equity for Irish Travelers.
– Ani Gonzalez Ward
Photo: Pexels
Tuberculosis in Kenya
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognizes common symptoms of TB include prologued cough with blood, chest pain, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, fever and night sweats. In recognition of the 32% undiagnosed and untreated TB patients in Kenya reported in 2023, the Ministry of Health launched the 2023/24 – 2027/28 National Strategic Plan (NSP) for TB, Leprosy and Lung Health. This program aims to put an end to the devastating impact of TB on Kenya’s communities.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Doctors treat tuberculosis with antibiotics. In Kenya, the primary antibiotics improving TB patients’ health are isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol and streptomycin. Patients must take these medications daily for four to six months. WHO advises anyone experiencing symptoms of TB to seek medical attention immediately.
Ministry of Health Support to End Tuberculosis
During its launch, Mary Muthoni, the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, emphasized the 2023/24-2027/28 National Strategic Plan’s commitment to a people-centered approach in addressing tuberculosis in Kenya. In her February 2024 speech to the National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation, Mary announced the start of a community-centered Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiative, to deploy 100,000 Community Health Promoters. This initiative aims to enhance household screenings proactively and strengthen the government’s battle against TB. Furthermore, the program seeks to eliminate TB, leprosy and other lung complications by 2030.
Facilitating Gender Responsive Policies
The Division of National Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Lung Disease Program (DNTLD-P) has collaborated with the LIGHT consortium since 2020 to enhance the Kenyan government’s efforts in addressing gender discrimination among TB patients. This partnership aims to fill gaps identified in Kenya’s previous NSP for 2019-2023, which lacked initiatives targeting gender-specific barriers to TB care and treatment.
The government has evaluated gender-equality approaches to ensure TB patients in Kenya receive fair treatment, regardless of gender. LIGHT, a global health research program, focuses on supporting TB treatment policies and practices in Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria and Uganda, with an emphasis on gender inclusivity. Its research demonstrates that improved access to TB care for men has decreased TB-related deaths, curbed transmission within communities and reduced the financial strain of TB treatment in Kenya. In response to LIGHT’s policy enhancement efforts, the NSP for 2023/24–2027/28 outlines specific initiatives aimed at assisting male TB patients in Kenya through the following targeted implementations:
A Healthier Kenya
Initiatives like the NSP for TB and the LIGHT consortium’s efforts illuminate the path toward ending tuberculosis by fostering inclusivity and community support. These strategies are poised to transform health and tuberculosis care in Kenya and signal a promising future where access to treatment transcends gender barriers, enabling a united fight against this persistent disease.
– Kasia Flisiuk
Photo: Flickr
Facts You Did Not Know about Period Poverty in the CAR
Limited Access To Menstrual Products
Limited access to menstrual products in the CAR exacerbates challenges faced by women and girls, hindering their ability to manage their menstrual health effectively. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned ahead of Menstrual Hygiene Day in 2014, highlighting the dire consequences of stigma, poverty and inadequate access to essential services such as toilets and water on menstrual health and hygiene for women and girls.
Particularly affected are the poorest, ethnic minorities, refugees and individuals with disabilities. Although menstrual materials are widespread, ranging from 81% to 100% across most countries surveyed, some rely on inadequate substitutes like paper or nothing. Additionally, access to private spaces for washing and changing varies greatly, with significant disparities between rural and urban areas and ethnic groups facing even more critical challenges and limitations in emergency settings.
The Educational Barriers
CAR significantly impedes educational opportunities for young women. One in four miss school due to substandard facilities for menstruation and a lack of menstrual education. This absence of proper menstrual hygiene management not only hampers students’ education but also perpetuates the stigma and shame surrounding menstruation.
Health Implications
The deficient management of menstrual hygiene poses significant health risks for young women. Insufficient menstrual hygiene increases the likelihood of infections and reproductive health issues, potentially leading to long-term health complications. Furthermore, poor menstrual hygiene can contribute to social stigma and discrimination, exacerbating the mental and emotional well-being challenges faced by young women.
Cultural taboos surrounding menstruation persist in the CAR, exacerbating challenges for women and girls. The enduring stigma attached to this issue fosters silence, further complicating the establishment of effective policies concerning menstrual health.
Additionally, economic disparities worsen period poverty, particularly affecting women and girls from low-income households. Affording menstrual products becomes a challenge, perpetuating a cycle of poverty that obstructs their opportunities for advancement.
NGO Interventions and Future Prospects
Nonprofit organizations (NGOs) actively assist girls and women in the CAR who face challenges due to period poverty. NGOs like Days for Girls are at the forefront, educating about menstrual health, distributing hygiene products and challenging stigmatizing beliefs surrounding menstruation.
Period poverty in the CAR is a multifaceted challenge demanding attention, awareness and unified action. Despite progress, sustained efforts and partnerships with local communities and the government are essential for lasting change.
– Jayde Andrews
Photo: Flickr
Poverty in Ghana: Challenges and Solutions
Agricultural Reliance and Poverty in Ghana
In Ghana, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reports indicate significant nutritional deficiencies among children. It highlights that one in five children experience stunted growth, while two-thirds of those aged 6 months to 2 years lack sufficient nutrition. Malnutrition compromises their immunity, increases susceptibility to infections, impacts brain development and can be fatal. Hence, the World Food Program (WFP) partners with Ghana’s government to bolster food security and nutrition, mitigate malnutrition and improve the food system. This initiative is vital, as the visible undernourishment of many Ghanaian children underscores poverty’s profound effect on youth.
Thinkers Fighting Extreme Poverty
Rory Stewart and Peter Singer
Peter Singer is an Australian utilitarian philosopher and activist fighting extreme poverty. He founded “The Life You Can Save” and is one of the most vital public voices arguing for GiveDirectly. Rory Stewart is a British politician and advisor to GiveDirectly as of January 2024. These influential advocates fighting against extreme poverty promote a highly successful Unconditional Cash Transfer program in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. They frequently appear on popular podcasts, speak with journalists and lecture at conferences.
GiveDirectly’s research page highlights the benefits of the program. Research from independent sources like GiveWell, The World Bank, MIT and the University of Chicago finds that UCTs effectively reduce poverty, are not wasted, allow individuals and families to spend money on things they need and improve nearly all measurable aspects of life. Additionally, UCTs have positively impacted several measurable aspects of life, including health, education, employment and economic circumstances.
Will MacAskill & Tony Ord
Will MacAskill and Tony Ord are philosophers, activists and thinkers fighting extreme poverty. Born in Scotland, MacAskill is an Oxford’s Global Priorities Institute member. Ord, an Australian, is also at Oxford as a Senior Research Fellow. The men co-founded Effective Altruism, a movement that uses science to help others most effectively.
They also co-founded Giving What We Can, a pledge to donate 10% of one’s annual pre-tax income or 2.5% of one’s yearly net worth (whichever is larger) to the world’s most effective charities. Effective Altruism is estimated to have raised more than $1 billion between 2014-2022, with most going to global health.
Rob Wiblin
Rob Wiblin is the Head of Research for 80,000 Hours and hosts its podcast. One of the main topics he supports on the podcast is the fight against poverty through Effective Altruism. He frequently interviews thinkers who are working to combat extreme poverty, such as Holden Karnovsky, the founder of GiveWell and Open Philanthropy; Alexander Berger, the Global Health and Well-being Program Lead at Open Philanthropy; EA activist Benjamin Todd and EA co-founders MacAskill and Ord. The 80,000 Hours podcast has 16.5 thousand subscribers and 2.3 million views on YouTube.
Sam Harris
The American philosopher and neuroscientist Sam Harris regularly promotes charities and thinkers fighting extreme poverty on his podcast, Making Sense. He has promoted Giving What We Can, GiveWell and GiveDirectly and has taken the Giving What We Can pledge. His organization, the Waking Up Foundation, was the first business to take the pledge. Harris has interviewed guests such as Stewart, Singer, Steven Pinker, Will McAskill, Ord and Chris Anderson. During Harris’ 2020 podcast with MacAskill, Harris shared that GiveWell expected to receive at least $1 million in donations from his listeners by the end of 2021. Harris also shared that his first podcast with MacAskill resulted in $150,000 in donations to the Against Malaria Foundation.
Steven Pinker
Pinker, a psychologist at Harvard University and public advocate against extreme poverty, global hunger and preventable diseases, highlighted the fight to end extreme poverty in his best-selling 2018 book “Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism and Progress.” Pinker explains why there have been sharp declines in extreme poverty and hunger since the Industrial Revolution, especially in recent decades. He argues that open economies, investment in the developing world and international cooperation can continue to reduce extreme poverty, hunger and disease.
Chris Anderson
Anderson, the Head of TED, uses public appearances, the TED conference and his 2024 book “Infectious Generosity: The Ultimate Idea Worth Spreading“ to focus the attention of middle and upper-income people on charitable giving to the extremely impoverished. In the book, Anderson discusses times when generosity has “gone viral” and how positive emotions, creativity and courage can be used to spread generosity.
A 2024 podcast with Harris, Anderson expands on the ideas in his book by arguing that infectious generosity can be applied to a culture of charitable giving by the ultra-wealthy to those living in extreme poverty. In January 2024, Giving What We Can announced that Anderson had taken its pledge.
– Joey T. McFadden
Photo: Flickr
Child Hunger in Brazil – The Sesc Mesa Programme
Sesc Mesa and Its Mission
Sesc Mesa operates more than 95 units nationwide to ensure children in Brazil attend school, nursery or play groups well-nourished. A key depot in Rio de Janeiro serves as a prime example of how organizations like Sesc Mesa address Brazil’s food shortage on a national scale. Covering 400 square feet in Rio’s northern suburbs, the program’s depot recovers unsellable food from supermarkets and collects wonky or otherwise deemed unfit produce from farms, where most of Brazil’s food wastage happens, for supermarkets and restaurants.
Cida Pessoa, program manager for Sesc Mesa in Rio, says, “People want nature to be completely uniform, for carrots to grow in the same way, for papayas to come without spots, for apples to be identical,” leading to vast amounts of perfectly good produce being wasted. This could otherwise help solve Brazil’s undernourishment crisis. After gathering the undesirable produce, Sesc Mesa donates it to soup kitchens, schools, nurseries and other institutions that provide free meals, ensuring daily nourishment for those in need. Due to the program’s success, Sesc Mesa is relocating to a facility 12 times larger. Moreover, this expansion means the potential to feed 12 times more children. With Sesc Mesa feeding 2.1 million people monthly in 2023, the impact of this growth is unmistakable.
Educational Events
Sesc Mesa also organizes educational activities, including courses, classes, seminars and workshops for corporate donors, social institutions and communities. These programs aim to offer information, guidance and training on food hygiene and proper handling. The goal is to maximize the use of foods for preparing safe, healthy and balanced meals for Brazil’s hungry population.
Expanding the Program’s Success
Looking ahead, the efforts to combat child hunger in Brazil by organizations like Sesc Mesa illuminate a path toward a more nourished and prosperous nation. Through its innovative approach to redistributing food waste, it is not only addressing immediate nutritional needs but also fostering a culture of sustainability and care. The potential for international collaboration opens new avenues for expanding its impactful work, moving Brazil closer to eradicating hunger. As Sesc Mesa continues to grow, its model serves as a beacon for other countries grappling with similar issues, showcasing the transformative power of community-driven solutions. Ultimately, the fight against hunger in Brazil is a critical step toward enhancing education, employment and economic vitality in the post-pandemic world.
– Ethan Leyden
Photo: Unsplash
5 Charities Operating in Romania
5 Charities Operating in Romania
Looking Ahead
The efforts of these five charities operating in Romania signal a hopeful future for the country’s most vulnerable children. Through compassionate care, innovative programs and unwavering dedication, these organizations are not just addressing immediate needs but are also laying the groundwork for systemic change. Moreover, they continue to transform lives and challenge the status quo. Their collective impact promises to reshape Romania’s approach to childcare and family support, ensuring a brighter, more inclusive future for all children.
– Nevin Guler
Photo: Flickr
Anno’s One Fine Day: Healing through the Arts
Poverty in Kenya
Rapid urbanization in Kenya has widened the gap between the upper and lower classes. According to the Academic Review of Humanities and Social Sciences (ARHUSS), 16% of the population lived below the national poverty line of $1.90 a day in 2021. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic hindered efforts to eliminate extreme poverty by 2020, with little change from the 17% level of extreme poverty. The World Bank does not foresee the elimination of poverty in Kenya by 2030.
Anno’s Africa Origin and One Fine Day
Founded in 2006 by Bee Gilbert in memory of her creative son Anno, Anno’s Africa focuses on empowering Kenyan youth through the arts. Intending to provide creative access similar to Anno’s upbringing, the U.K.-based organization, alongside the German charity One Fine Day—co-founded by Marie Steinmann and Tom Tykwer—merged in 2018 to enhance arts education in Nairobi’s informal settlements. In addition, Krysteen Savane has played a significant role in the organization’s outreach and impact from the start.
Empowering Through Creativity
Anno’s One Fine Day focuses on aiding children living in Kenya and Malawi’s slums. These children face poverty, leading to childhood mortality, illness, hunger and lack of education. The organization provides creative outlets for self-expression and discovering talents through courses in dance, art, drama, creative writing, music and circus skills.
Savane explains that in addition to its creative outlets, the program for young adults offers career-focused training in music production, fashion design, podcasting and digital skills. The organization collaborates with various groups to deliver these training sessions, equipping young adults for practical, creative careers in the real world.
Additionally, the organization established an Arts Centre in Kibera, Nairobi’s largest slum with a population exceeding 300,000. According to Savane, this center serves as a haven for more than 1,500 students weekly, offering them space to engage creatively. Moreover, regular showcases allow these students to present their work to family, friends and the broader community, celebrating their artistic achievements and learning experiences.
Transformative Power with Anno’s One Fine Day
Anno’s Africa One Fine Day stands as a testament to the transformative power of art, offering hope and new perspectives to Kenya’s youth amid the challenges of poverty. Through its diverse programs, the organization has not only nurtured artistic talent but has also facilitated emotional healing and personal growth. Moreover, the success stories of students advancing to secondary education on scholarships and making marks on international stages underscore the impactful role of arts education in unlocking potential. Looking ahead, the continued expansion and support for Anno’s Africa One Fine Day promise to empower even more children and young adults in Kenya, fostering a community where dreams are pursued and abilities are explored. This journey of creativity and care paves the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for all involved.
– Sophia Lovell
Photo: Flickr
3 Initiatives Improving Mental Health in Kuwait
Kuwait’s First Mental Health Law
The Kuwait government issued Law No. 14 in February 2019 to protect individuals with mental health issues. This marked a major stride in the country’s efforts to improve its response to mental health concerns, mainly because there was no previous law governing mental health in Kuwait. Before the implementation of the Mental Health Law, individuals experiencing mental health challenges couldn’t be held at a facility, even if leaving posed a risk of harm. However, Article 11 of the Mental Health Law grants physicians the authority to detain patients for up to 72 hours during an evaluation period (the “Assessment Period”). This detention protects patients and others around them from danger. It also provides a clear guideline for what to do when one is incapable of self-care or consenting to voluntary assessment or treatment.
Additionally, the law sparked the creation of the Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC), whose members are responsible for following up on the application of the law and its regulations. The implementation of the MHCC means that for mental health in Kuwait, there is a body of individuals dedicated to protecting the rights of mental health patients by developing policies in their best interests. One of these rights includes the fact that, under the Mental Health Law, those with mental health conditions should not be prohibited from obtaining a job, marking the law’s intent to prevent stigma and isolation for mental health patients in the workforce.
Kuwait’s Response to the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
As a result of the pandemic, rates of anxiety and depression, especially among the elderly and those with disabilities, increased, possibly due to fears about harboring the disease in conjunction with isolation and lockdowns limiting access to medical support. In response, the Kuwait Ministry of Health, through the country’s Center for Mental Health and Central Administration for Primary Care, launched several new initiatives to both improve health care access and overcome the limitations of isolation and lockdowns:
Nonetheless, it’s crucial to acknowledge that migrant workers and stateless individuals residing in Kuwait, often living in close-knit communities, have disproportionately felt the impact of COVID-19. This is due to their disadvantaged position, as they do not have access to free secondary health care. Access to mental health services remains a significant issue for this demographic, given the steep costs associated with diagnosis, psychiatric consultations and therapy sessions, which are considerably higher than those for Kuwaiti nationals.
The Improvement of Mental Health and Wellness Services in Kuwait
The Fawzia Sultan Health Care Network (FSHN), founded in 2006, is Kuwait’s first and only nonprofit mental health provider. It has been providing many health care services, including family medicine, cardiology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and psychological services in research and education settings.
While it started as a specialized physiotherapy clinic, the organization soon realized that the health care needs of Kuwait ran much deeper. So, its approach expanded and became much more multidisciplinary. This expansion marked a shift in attitudes regarding mental health in Kuwait and is likely one of the factors that ultimately led to the creation of the Mental Health Law in 2019. The early efforts of FSHN and the later development of the Mental Health Law serve as evidence of the impact that dedication to a specific cause can have, even if that impact is only realized years later.
Final Remark
In a region where mental illness is still considered taboo, the Mental Health Law, along with the impact of health organizations and wellness services, highlights a continuous effort in Kuwait to improve protections for patients with mental illnesses.
– Avery Fuller
Photo: Pexels
Why Solving Global Poverty Is Everyone’s Concern
In today’s world, which is filled with newfound technological advancement, widespread wealth and endless opportunities for many, it can be both confusing and distressing that millions still live in poverty. Therefore, while we tend to celebrate the advancements of the modern world, a significant portion of humanity struggles to meet their most basic needs.
In describing the consequences of widespread poverty, Regis University Professor tells The Borgen Project in an interview, “There are many negative consequences of poverty, both for individuals and for society at large. Poverty is not only associated with exploitation, lack of decent housing, lack of access to health care and lack of access to education, which all impact life expectancy and life satisfaction at the individual level, but it has huge impacts on whole societies. Poverty correlates with high criminality, criminal gang membership and recruitment, civil war onset, with various forms of radicalization and even some forms of gender-based violence.”
As a result, the persistence of global poverty is a challenge that demands immediate attention from every corner of the globe. This being said, here are further reasons why solving global poverty is everyone’s concern.
Moral Concerns
At its core, the fight against global poverty is an urgent moral concern. This is because every individual, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the right to live a life of security and equal opportunity. Nonetheless, widespread poverty continues to undermine these moral principles by depriving individuals of access to food, clean water, education and health care, all of which are essential human rights.
In expressing these inequalities, Regis University Professor tells The Borgen Project, “Of course, we should all care about poverty because it is a moral issue and we should strive for a more just world where people have access to their basic needs at the very least. It is important to point out too that we in rich countries should reflect more often on how our consumerism and choices perpetuate poverty and rely on the oppression of poor individuals in poorer nations.”
Adding to this statement, a report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) emphasizes how poverty remains a significant obstacle to achieving basic human rights globally. For example, poverty often deprives individuals of access to fundamental necessities such as food, clean water, education and health care, all thereby impeding their ability to lead dignified lives. Finally, poverty can exacerbate existing inequalities and perpetuate systemic injustices, injustices we remain complicit in perpetuating if we fail to recognize why solving global poverty is everyone’s concern.
Global Interconnectedness
As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, the impacts of poverty also extend far beyond the communities where it is most prevalent. Poverty is something that breeds instability, perpetuates conflict, fuels migration across the globe and, as a Regis University professor tells The Borgen Project, “can be one variable explaining civil wars. Scholars have found, for example, that civil wars can spread to neighboring countries through the inflow of arms, ideas and combatants across borders. Thus, this is a very real way in which poverty can be a backdrop explaining civil war and the contagion of other neighboring countries, generating regional instability.” Therefore, the eradication of poverty is not only a matter of social justice but also a matter of global security and stability and it is a key reason why solving global poverty is everyone’s concern.
Economic Growth and Prosperity
Despite many traditional beliefs, poverty is not simply a consequence of underdevelopment. It also poses significant obstacles to all types of development. For example, poverty hinders economic growth by depriving communities of human capital and productive resources. Moreover, when individuals lack access to education and health care, their potential contributions to the economy can never be realized. In this way, poverty creates a cycle of hardships that leads families and communities into a state of continuous struggle.
Nonetheless, working to reduce poverty has the potential to break this cycle. The Department for International Development (DFID) highlights, for example, that “strong economic growth therefore advances human development, which, in turn, promotes economic growth.” Therefore, by contributing to poverty alleviation efforts and recognizing why solving global poverty is everyone’s concern, we are able to realize the economic potential of all people, leading to greater prosperity for society as a whole.
Environmental Sustainability
The alleviation of poverty is also inherently connected to environmental sustainability. Research conducted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) specifically describes this intricate relationship between poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability. The IPCC reports that poverty often compels individuals and communities to engage in unsustainable practices, such as deforestation and overexploitation of natural resources, as a means of survival.
These activities then contribute to environmental degradation, including habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity, intensifying the effects of climate change on the most vulnerable populations. As a result, impoverished communities are disproportionately affected by the negative impacts of poverty, such as extreme weather events and declining agricultural productivity. However, by helping to lift people out of poverty and providing them with paths to more prosperous livelihoods, we can promote sustainable practices that protect the planet for future generations.
Long-Term Stability
Finally, working to eradicate poverty is not merely a short-term fix. It is an investment in long-term stability and prosperity. Therefore, by realizing why solving global poverty is everyone’s concern and addressing the underlying structural factors that perpetuate it, we are able to create the conditions for sustainable development and lasting change. Improving education, health care and economic opportunities, for example, serve as platforms for societies to withstand future challenges relating to poverty.
In regard to creating these long-term solutions, Regis University Professor tells The Borgen Project, “As citizens in a democracy, we should recognize more fully the power we have to shape policy. We can form advocacy or lobbying groups, join social movements or create them and donate to international organizations that are credible in fighting poverty. We can also demand better policy-making around this area. In the United States (U.S.), a very tiny percentage of taxes are used for foreign aid through the USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development). We must demand more transparency on how funds are allocated and programs evaluated so we understand which projects and programs are more effective in poverty alleviation.” In these ways, we can lay the groundwork for a more equitable world that will prosper for years to come.
– Olivia Pitrof
Photo: Pexels