Coffee consumers are all around the world. Currently, the United Kingdom (U.K.) consumes about 95 million cups daily. Globally, the demand for coffee is increasing by 2.2% per year. Presently, the import of coffee is soaring. This is especially seen with the quantity of coffee beans.
A main coffee-producing country is Indonesia. Indonesia’s reliance on the coffee industry is crucial. It exported a total of $1.58 billion of coffee in 2024. Indonesia’s biggest buyer is the United States (U.S.). With a total of $302 million made, this shows the popularity of the coffee industry. This is seen significantly in North America.
Indonesia’s coffee trade originated in 1711. This started when the Dutch East India Company sent its first export from Java to Europe. From this, it made significant profits. Therefore, this influenced the rise of the coffee industry. Currently, Indonesia is ranked as the fifth-largest coffee provider globally.
Background on Poverty in Indonesia
The problem of inequality has put many in poverty. There is a large wealth gap between the rich and the general population of Indonesia. Increasing inequality hinders economic development. Wealthier individuals often have better access to basic services, while others do not.
Rural areas suffer more than urban areas. Alongside women who earn low wages, they also suffer from inadequate basic services. Rural areas have limited availability of electricity and insufficient roads. The education system faces challenges through barriers and restricted funds. Consequently, this increases challenges within the agricultural sector.
Positives and Negatives in the Production of Palm Oil
Palm oil is an important point in Indonesia’s agricultural production. Around 57% of its production comes from Indonesia. It is also found in vegetable oil, cosmetics, processed food and more. Economically, this has helped the wealth of Indonesia. However, this has had some negative impacts.
This has pressured some children in Indonesia into child labor. Besides this, they suffer from unequal conditions. The increase in child labor is due to them being paid less. Although Indonesia has child labor restrictions, it is estimated that 1.01 million children participated in labor.
Another factor that is impacting this is the rural setting and private farming. This restricts education and increases poverty. Agriculture is a hard career in which to control child labor. Although Indonesia was one of the first countries in Asia to have restrictions and create national legislation. The minimum age of employment is 15 years old.
Indonesia’s Importance in Agriculture
Indonesia relies heavily on agriculture. This is seen to be rising in popularity. Through reaching $29.6 billion in 2024, higher than in 2022, it presents its dependence on this trade. Many agricultural products are becoming more popular.
Indonesia’s variety of sources is vital worldwide. More than 60% of the sector is involved with the agricultural industry. This therefore shows the reliance of the agriculture sector on its income.
Agriculture is needed globally. This helps countries worldwide and the economic development of Indonesia. It provides food security and job opportunities. Agriculture provides many positive effects. This also provides growth in industrial development and builds closer communities. A main part of this trade is farming, which is the main source of agriculture.
A hidden step before the craft of coffee is the production of coffee beans. Although the people working are not always treated fairly. Indonesia’s reliance on the coffee industry is crucial, as it supports 1.8 million families. However, they do not even earn $0.50 per cup.
Mainly in the “bean belt,” coffee production occurs in more than 50 countries. Even with this major working industry, many people suffer. With 17 countries having recorded child labor, this highlights some negatives. Through the threat of poverty, people are pressured to work. Alongside this, the production of coffee and agriculture can be challenging. This also has implications for the environment.
Another downfall is the hardships farmers face. Factors such as irregular weather patterns, the threat of pests and the sensitive nature of coffee plants make the growth of coffee more challenging. Coffee production and agriculture depend on the quality of their environment. However, there are some ways to solve these difficulties.
Physical Solutions
Even with some hardships, there are some physical solutions. This helps with agriculture, especially regarding the production of coffee.
Improving soil quality is an important factor. This is done by cover cropping and applying compost. By protecting soil quality and growth, this allows a sustainable environment for crops.
Agroforestry integration is another solution. This is when trees play a role in farming. Trees would provide shade, control temperature and support biodiversity. Not only would this help crops, but it would also help surrounding species.
Increasing biodiversity is crucial. From maintaining plants to supporting living organisms, these act as natural pest control. This environmentally friendly method is beneficial because pests are a consistent challenge. Water control is fundamental. This helps to stabilize soil, increase infiltration and control surface runoff. The management of water will help crops grow healthier and stronger.
Practical Solutions to Help Coffee Farmers
Indonesia’s coffee consumption has grown significantly. Tripling since before the pandemic shows Indonesia’s important role in the industry. There are practical solutions that buyers can follow to support farmers more. Some simple steps, such as choosing, donating and educating are key ways to implement this.
Choosing fair trade coffee is a small change, but it helps ensure a fairer wage. This helps provide a more stable income for farmers. A fairer wage would increase the quality of life for many families. About 37,000 products are sold in more than 140 countries, showing its success.
Donating to organizations is another step that can support equality in communities and human rights. Funds donated can support training and bring more job opportunities. This is supported by fair trade programs, where approximately 2 million farmers are involved.
Education is also vital. Knowledge about the hardships farmers face can increase advocacy. This helps improve policies and influences fair trade. This can support a healthier future for farmers and the economy.
– Daisy Sheena
Daisy is based in Manchester, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
ZNotes: Reducing Learning Poverty Through Education
Education can transform lives socially and empower people across demographics to improve their own lives. Even people in developing nations like India are achieving state ranks due to these educational opportunities.
ZNotes
ZNotes is an educational platform created by Zubair Junjunia, who witnessed the inequalities students faced during their end-of-year exams. Junjunia launched the platform when he was just 16. Now, this platform has amassed a wealth of information to help people gain further access to educational rights.
With more than 500,000 subscribers to its databases, ZNotes has had a profound impact on more than 6 million students from more than 190 countries. Epic Angels is one of the educational platform’s biggest benefactors in the Asia Pacific region.
The Importance of Education
UNESCO reports that global poverty would be reduced by more than 50% if everyone completed secondary education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the learning poverty rate skyrocketed to about 70% due to limited access to educational resources. ZNotes is a good way to quell this hindrance.
If everyone (including those in developing or low-income households) had proper access to education, then 171 million people would be able to have better lives and be free from poverty. Although ZNotes has garnered support from more than 4.5 million students globally, coverage of certain topics remains limited.
How ZNotes Is Reducing Learning Poverty
ZNotes is an immensely popular online learning tool that has also won awards for its syllabus-tailored study materials, which increase the chances of getting good grades. What started as a personal effort quickly turned into a global fight against educational inequality. It has worked to reduce the rate of learning poverty ever since by connecting learners across cultures, genders and faiths.
In these diverse spaces, students exchange guidance on university, internships and career pathways, widening access to valuable social capital. Beyond preparing students for high-stakes exams, ZNotes equips them for life after school. Through its internship and contribution programs, young people gain real-world experience in a global social impact startup, building both academic and employability skills. The results are clear: 77% of interns report stronger candidacy for jobs and future internships.
Conclusion
Education is a powerful yet complex tool to foster growth, independence and success. ZNotes is an online educational platform dedicated to working collaboratively with students to reduce learning poverty. With millions of supporters, ZNotes has significantly contributed to reducing learning poverty by empowering students to become globally connected, career-ready leaders through a combination of academic support and real-world experience.
– Shruti Reddy
Photo: Flickr
Women’s Economic Empowerment in Nepal
Although progress has been made worldwide, major gaps remain. According to U.N. Women, women still perform 2.8 times more unpaid care work than men, and nearly 30% of women globally have experienced physical or sexual violence. These challenges underscore why countries like Nepal must continue to strengthen women’s economic and social rights.
Stronger Political Representation
Nepal’s 2015 Constitution requires that women make up at least 33% of seats in the federal parliament and provincial assemblies. By 2018, women held 33% of parliamentary seats and 41% of local government positions. This increase in representation gives women a stronger voice in national and local decision-making.
Greater political participation supports women’s economic empowerment in Nepal because women leaders often advocate for education access, property rights and equal employment policies. Nepal has also institutionalized gender equality and women’s empowerment through the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) frameworks to support equal opportunity across sectors, reinforced by the National Women’s Commission and parliamentary committees that implement gender-sensitive policies and programs. This legal commitment is further anchored in Nepal’s Gender Equality Act (2006), which abolishes discriminatory legal provisions and promotes equal treatment for women in areas such as employment, property rights, and public participation. These policies help expand access to education, protect legal rights and support women’s participation in development programs, including disaster response and climate action. By building stronger laws and institutions, Nepal is creating long-term systems that support gender equality.
Expanding Financial Access and Entrepreneurship
Access to finance plays a key role in women’s economic empowerment in Nepal. According to the World Bank, expanding financial inclusion allows women to start businesses, invest in agriculture and improve household stability. In 2026, the World Bank approved a $95 million operation to support sustainable and inclusive finance in Nepal, including measures that help women-led businesses access credit and grow their enterprises. Microfinance programs and cooperative banking models have helped increase women’s financial access in recent years.
Women entrepreneurs are also receiving new investment support. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has invested in programs that expand financing for women-led businesses. These investments help women grow enterprises in agriculture, retail and small-scale manufacturing.
In addition to funding, many programs offer business management and vocational training. For instance, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative provides entrepreneurs with business education, mentoring, networking opportunities, and access to capital. The program includes courses in leadership, marketing, and financial management. Combining financial services with practical training increases the chances that women-owned businesses will succeed long term.
Closing the Digital Gap
Digital access is becoming more important for economic participation. However, global data from the International Telecommunication Union shows that 65% of women use the internet compared to 70% of men. This gap limits women’s access to online work, digital banking and e-commerce opportunities.
Nepal is responding by expanding digital literacy and technology training programs for women and girls. These initiatives aim to reduce the gender digital divide and prepare women for jobs in an increasingly digital economy.
Simultaneously, legal protections remain important. The United Nations in Nepal has urged stronger enforcement of laws addressing gender-based violence, including domestic violence and human trafficking. Protecting women’s safety allows them to participate more fully in the workforce and public life.
Women and Climate Leadership
Women in Nepal are also playing important roles in disaster response and climate adaptation. Community-based women’s groups often lead local preparedness efforts, especially in rural areas affected by floods and earthquakes. However, women are still underrepresented in national climate planning and funding decisions.
Regional discussions during the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review in 2024 emphasized the need for women’s inclusion in sustainable economic transitions. Expanding women’s access to green jobs and climate-focused industries can support both gender equality and environmental progress.
Through continued reforms and participation in global forums such as the World Federation of United Nations Associations International Model United Nations, Nepal has shown commitment to reviewing and strengthening its policies. By improving financial access, increasing political representation and expanding digital opportunities, the country is building a foundation for lasting women’s economic empowerment in Nepal. Continued enforcement of laws and investment in women-led initiatives will help ensure that progress remains steady and inclusive.
– Anaisha Kundu
Photo: Flickr
Child Soldiers in Libya: Reintegration Efforts
International organizations and local authorities are working to provide education, psychological support and employment pathways for children affected by conflict. These initiatives aim to improve long-term stability while reducing the likelihood that vulnerable youth will return to armed groups.
Child Recruitment
Children can become associated with armed groups in a variety of ways. Some join voluntarily due to economic hardship, while others are coerced or influenced by community pressures. In many cases, conflict disrupts education systems and employment opportunities, making armed groups appear to be one of the few available options for income or security.
Years of political instability have also weakened institutions responsible for protecting children. Humanitarian organizations report that refugee and migrant children in Libya face increased vulnerability to exploitation, violence and recruitment into armed activities
These conditions highlight why addressing the issue of child soldiers in Libya requires broader social and economic solutions, including education access and community-level support systems.
Reintegration Programs for Former Child Soldiers
A growing number of reintegration initiatives aim to help former child soldiers transition back into civilian life. Many of these programs follow a disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) framework. DDR programs focus on removing children from armed groups and supporting their return to education, family life and employment opportunities.
In the Libyan city of Zintan, cooperation between local authorities and international organizations helped release and reintegrate 125 children and adolescents formerly associated with armed forces. These programs included psychosocial counseling, community activities and educational support designed to help children rebuild social connections
Community involvement could play a key role in reintegration success. Training sessions for teachers, social workers and community leaders could help address stigma and encourage communities to accept returning children. According to child protection organizations, reintegration programs that include community-based support and mental health services significantly improve long-term outcomes for former child soldiers.
Strengthening Child Justice Systems
Alongside reintegration programs, Libya has taken steps to improve its child justice system. In 2022, Libyan authorities partnered with international organizations to launch initiatives focusing on creating a more child-friendly legal framework. The program focuses on rehabilitation, skill development and reintegration support for children who encounter the justice system).
Strengthening legal protections could help ensure that children previously involved in armed groups are treated as victims of conflict rather than criminals. Access to social services, counseling and education programs could reduce the long-term economic and psychological effects of conflict on young people.
Reintegration and Poverty Reduction
Poverty reduction could help reduce the issue of child soldiers in Libya and the world. Armed groups recruit children who often come from communities facing unemployment, limited education opportunities and economic instability. Without alternatives, returning to armed groups can appear to be the most viable option.
Reintegration programs attempt to break this cycle by providing vocational training, life skills education and job placement support. By helping young people access employment opportunities and return to school, these programs contribute to long-term economic stability for individuals and communities
Looking Ahead
Efforts to address child soldiers in Libya demonstrate the importance of combining humanitarian assistance, education programs and legal reforms. While challenges remain due to ongoing political instability, reintegration initiatives provide a pathway for children affected by conflict to rebuild their lives.
Expanding these programs may not only support individual recovery but also contribute to broader peacebuilding efforts. By investing in youth rehabilitation and opportunity, Libya and its international partners are working toward long-term stability and a future in which children are no longer drawn into armed conflict.
– Jason Hill
Photo: Flickr
Community Health Services Sustain Health Care Access in Cuba
Authorities and community clinics have reorganized services to protect health care access in Cuba. This ensures the continuous availability of life-saving treatments, including oncology care, dialysis and maternal health, across rural provinces. It also maintains regular access to primary family care physicians.
Cuba’s widespread, free-at-the-point-of-use medical system plays a critical role in maintaining access to health care, particularly during periods of economic or energy disruption. The health system’s ability to function under these conditions reflects Cuba’s family doctor and primary health care model. This model is built on principles that protect universal care and strengthen community resilience for all people in Cuba. These key principles form the foundation of Cuba’s strategy for maintaining health care access during humanitarian crises.
Accessibility and Regionalization
These first two principles establish that health care access in Cuba is universal and should remain available regardless of geography, income or social status. Before Cuba’s post-revolution health care reforms, rural Cubans had little to no access to hospital care. Today, “polyclinics,” general medical care centers are found in communities across the country, giving people outside major cities access to health care on a scale not seen since before the Spanish colonization of Cuba.
During the current fuel shortages and electricity disruptions, maintaining accessibility has required reorganizing how doctors and staff deliver care across Cuba. As a result, five million patients, including those undergoing dialysis or chemotherapy, who require constant electricity and regular specialist care, may see changes to their treatment plans.
Hospitals have prioritized electrical power for critical treatments to ensure staff can continue treating the most vulnerable patients. Thousands of cancer patients require ongoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, procedures that rely on stable electricity. Local health authorities have responded by concentrating patients in facilities with reliable power generators and hospital beds so that treatments can continue uninterrupted.
The newspaper Girón spoke with Yamira López García, the provincial director of Public Health in Matanzas, about the situation. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining the operational capacity of all facilities within the public health system and expanding outpatient services so that “no patient will be left without the possibility of treatment.”
The paper also reported that radiotherapy, chemotherapy and dialysis remain available to patients and that authorities have established infrastructure for new admissions. These efforts demonstrate how the system seeks to preserve health care access in Cuba even as logistical conditions deteriorate.
Prevention
Preventive medicine is the central pillar of Cuba’s health care model. Rather than focusing solely on hospital treatment, the system relies on neighborhood doctors and nurses to monitor family health and identify risks early. The NHS has called for doctors to be reassigned to facilities near their residences to strengthen neighborhood clinics and reduce transportation pressures.
Specialists from secondary care institutions have also been temporarily deployed to community polyclinics to ensure local services remain operational. Because this regionalized network already exists, the system can redistribute medical personnel across local facilities without dismantling care. Clinics remain embedded within the communities they serve, helping maintain health care access in Cuba even when transportation and electricity shortages disrupt larger hospitals.
These visits allow health workers to identify patients who may require urgent care before conditions worsen, reducing pressure on hospitals and helping preserve health care access at the community level in Cuba.
Community Participation
Rather than imposing health care structures on communities, Castro’s system sought to integrate local populations and emphasize organized public participation. Health care delivery, for example, is not limited to professional staff but also involves collaboration among medical institutions, local communities and educational programs. To maintain universal health care access in Cuba, medical students have joined primary care teams in clinics and doctors’ offices.
As part of their training, students assist with household visits, patient monitoring and public health education. Their work expands the capacity of the neighborhood health system while allowing services to continue despite staffing and transportation challenges. This collective approach strengthens the resilience of local clinics. It ensures that community-based care remains a cornerstone of health care access in Cuba.
International Collaboration
Cuba’s health care strategy also includes international collaboration, with thousands of medical professionals participating in missions across Africa, Asia and Latin America. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, tens of thousands of Cuban doctors were working in more than 50 countries. Rather than recalling them, the Cuban government asked them to cooperate with host nations in combating the pandemic.
In recent months, many of those host countries have donated thousands of tons of critical aid, reflecting how international cooperation and reciprocal support can lead to better outcomes. The Nuestra América Convoy to Cuba is one such coalition aimed at delivering humanitarian aid based on “cooperation, respect for international law and U.N. values.” Arriving in Havana on March 21, 2026, the convoy is made up of volunteers from around the world and carries food, medicines and energy supplies.
Final Remarks
The energy crisis has tested every link in Cuba’s health care system. The resilience of community clinics and primary care networks demonstrates how strong public health infrastructure can protect health care access in Cuba, even under severe resource pressures. The polyclinic model supports universal accessibility and regionalized services, while prevention and community participation make clinics more adaptable under pressure. This approach offers a potential model for other low-resource settings facing similar shocks.
– Zoey Cruz
Photo: Pixabay
Poverty Reduction in Namibia: Progress and Practical Solutions
Poverty Trends and Current Challenges
Namibia reduced its national poverty rate from 37.7% in 2003 to 17.4% in 2021, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency. Yet broader indicators show that many households still experience deprivation. OPHI reports that 43% of Namibians live in multidimensional poverty, which includes limited access to health care, education and basic services.
Rural communities face the highest risks. UNICEF report notes that poverty is the highest in northern regions, where access to water, sanitation and employment remains limited.
Women and children experience the greatest vulnerability, according to Namibia’s 2024 Voluntary National Review, which highlights persistent gaps in nutrition, education and income stability.
Unemployment also remains a major barrier. Reuters reports Namibia’s broad unemployment rate as more than 36%, one of the highest in southern Africa.
Supporting Families and Skills Development
Namibia operates one of the most extensive social protection systems in the region. The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare provides old-age pensions, child grants, disability support and food assistance. In 2023, more than 600,000 Namibians relied on social grants, according to The Namibian.
UNICEF’s Social Protection Budget Brief shows that grants significantly reduce poverty and narrow inequality gaps, especially for children and elderly residents.
Namibia has also tested innovative approaches. The Basic Income Grant pilot in Otjivero-Omitara showed improvements in nutrition, school attendance and local economic activity.
Education has been a national priority since independence. Namibia now maintains primary school enrollment above 95%, according to UNICEF. In 2025, the government announced plans to introduce free higher education and vocational training beginning in 2026. This expansion aims to help young people enter careers in agriculture, construction, information technology and renewable energy.
Agricultural Investment and Economic Diversification
Agriculture remains a major source of income for rural households. The Namibia Agricultural Mechanization and Seed Improvement Project (NAMSIP) provides farmers with equipment, improved seeds and training to strengthen food security.
The Green Scheme irrigation program expands crop production and market access for small-scale farmers. Recent reporting from New Era shows that Green Scheme projects are increasing productivity and helping communities adapt to climate challenges.
Land access remains central to Namibia’s poverty reduction strategy. The Legal Assistance Centre documents ongoing efforts to redistribute commercial farmland and provide training to resettled families. Beneficiaries who receive continued technical support report higher food security and more stable incomes. Rural development projects (including road upgrades, water infrastructure and electrification) could also help communities access markets, schools and health services. These improvements strengthen local economies and reduce regional inequality.
Namibia is internationally recognized for its Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) program. Through conservancies, communities manage wildlife and benefit directly from tourism and conservation income.
Maliasili’s analysis highlights that conservancies generate millions of dollars in community revenue each year and support women’s cooperatives, youth enterprises and local governance.
Look Forward To What’s Ahead
Namibia’s progress shows that consistent investment and inclusive policy can reduce poverty. Strengthening social protection, expanding education, supporting farmers and improving land access remain essential pillars of poverty reduction in Namibia. Continued collaboration between government agencies, community organizations and international partners will be vital to ensuring long-term stability and shared economic growth.
– Angela ‘Phoenix’ Garrett
Photo: Flickr
Indonesia’s Reliance on the Coffee Industry
A main coffee-producing country is Indonesia. Indonesia’s reliance on the coffee industry is crucial. It exported a total of $1.58 billion of coffee in 2024. Indonesia’s biggest buyer is the United States (U.S.). With a total of $302 million made, this shows the popularity of the coffee industry. This is seen significantly in North America.
Indonesia’s coffee trade originated in 1711. This started when the Dutch East India Company sent its first export from Java to Europe. From this, it made significant profits. Therefore, this influenced the rise of the coffee industry. Currently, Indonesia is ranked as the fifth-largest coffee provider globally.
Background on Poverty in Indonesia
The problem of inequality has put many in poverty. There is a large wealth gap between the rich and the general population of Indonesia. Increasing inequality hinders economic development. Wealthier individuals often have better access to basic services, while others do not.
Rural areas suffer more than urban areas. Alongside women who earn low wages, they also suffer from inadequate basic services. Rural areas have limited availability of electricity and insufficient roads. The education system faces challenges through barriers and restricted funds. Consequently, this increases challenges within the agricultural sector.
Positives and Negatives in the Production of Palm Oil
Palm oil is an important point in Indonesia’s agricultural production. Around 57% of its production comes from Indonesia. It is also found in vegetable oil, cosmetics, processed food and more. Economically, this has helped the wealth of Indonesia. However, this has had some negative impacts.
This has pressured some children in Indonesia into child labor. Besides this, they suffer from unequal conditions. The increase in child labor is due to them being paid less. Although Indonesia has child labor restrictions, it is estimated that 1.01 million children participated in labor.
Another factor that is impacting this is the rural setting and private farming. This restricts education and increases poverty. Agriculture is a hard career in which to control child labor. Although Indonesia was one of the first countries in Asia to have restrictions and create national legislation. The minimum age of employment is 15 years old.
Indonesia’s Importance in Agriculture
Indonesia relies heavily on agriculture. This is seen to be rising in popularity. Through reaching $29.6 billion in 2024, higher than in 2022, it presents its dependence on this trade. Many agricultural products are becoming more popular.
Indonesia’s variety of sources is vital worldwide. More than 60% of the sector is involved with the agricultural industry. This therefore shows the reliance of the agriculture sector on its income.
Agriculture is needed globally. This helps countries worldwide and the economic development of Indonesia. It provides food security and job opportunities. Agriculture provides many positive effects. This also provides growth in industrial development and builds closer communities. A main part of this trade is farming, which is the main source of agriculture.
A hidden step before the craft of coffee is the production of coffee beans. Although the people working are not always treated fairly. Indonesia’s reliance on the coffee industry is crucial, as it supports 1.8 million families. However, they do not even earn $0.50 per cup.
Mainly in the “bean belt,” coffee production occurs in more than 50 countries. Even with this major working industry, many people suffer. With 17 countries having recorded child labor, this highlights some negatives. Through the threat of poverty, people are pressured to work. Alongside this, the production of coffee and agriculture can be challenging. This also has implications for the environment.
Another downfall is the hardships farmers face. Factors such as irregular weather patterns, the threat of pests and the sensitive nature of coffee plants make the growth of coffee more challenging. Coffee production and agriculture depend on the quality of their environment. However, there are some ways to solve these difficulties.
Physical Solutions
Even with some hardships, there are some physical solutions. This helps with agriculture, especially regarding the production of coffee.
Improving soil quality is an important factor. This is done by cover cropping and applying compost. By protecting soil quality and growth, this allows a sustainable environment for crops.
Agroforestry integration is another solution. This is when trees play a role in farming. Trees would provide shade, control temperature and support biodiversity. Not only would this help crops, but it would also help surrounding species.
Increasing biodiversity is crucial. From maintaining plants to supporting living organisms, these act as natural pest control. This environmentally friendly method is beneficial because pests are a consistent challenge. Water control is fundamental. This helps to stabilize soil, increase infiltration and control surface runoff. The management of water will help crops grow healthier and stronger.
Practical Solutions to Help Coffee Farmers
Indonesia’s coffee consumption has grown significantly. Tripling since before the pandemic shows Indonesia’s important role in the industry. There are practical solutions that buyers can follow to support farmers more. Some simple steps, such as choosing, donating and educating are key ways to implement this.
Choosing fair trade coffee is a small change, but it helps ensure a fairer wage. This helps provide a more stable income for farmers. A fairer wage would increase the quality of life for many families. About 37,000 products are sold in more than 140 countries, showing its success.
Donating to organizations is another step that can support equality in communities and human rights. Funds donated can support training and bring more job opportunities. This is supported by fair trade programs, where approximately 2 million farmers are involved.
Education is also vital. Knowledge about the hardships farmers face can increase advocacy. This helps improve policies and influences fair trade. This can support a healthier future for farmers and the economy.
– Daisy Sheena
Photo: Flickr
How Job Training for Refugees in Turkey Strengthens Communities
Many refugees in Turkey face significant barriers when they try to enter the formal labor market, including limited access to certified vocational training, challenges with skills recognition and work permit requirements. The International Labor Organization (ILO) reports that regulatory and structural obstacles push many refugees into informal employment, increasing their vulnerability and limiting long-term stability. At the same time, rising inflation and labor market instability have placed growing economic pressure on Turkish citizens, particularly workers in lower-income sectors. In response, policymakers and development organizations design programs that align vocational training with employer demand and encourage businesses to hire workers formally.
Aligning Skills With Industry Demand
From November 2022 to January 2025, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) implemented a workforce initiative focused on Turkey’s textile sector. The project aimed to expand employment pathways for Syrian refugees and members of host communities through targeted vocational training.
The initiative, titled “Decent and Sustainable Job Opportunities for Refugees and Host Communities in the Turkish Textile Sector,” aligned training directly with labor market needs. Turkey’s textile industry remains one of the country’s major export sectors and a significant source of employment across manufacturing and supply chains. The Government of the Republic of Korea funded the project with $178,620. In 2023 alone, the program directed $131,522 toward training and implementation activities.
Rather than offering generalized training, the program developed sector-specific curricula in collaboration with textile industry partners to address identified labor market needs. It provided on-the-job training at employer premises, strengthening participants’ practical skills and increasing their chances of securing formal, sustainable employment. By working closely with private-sector actors, the project connected skills development directly to hiring pathways.
Promoting Shared Economic Participation
The project targeted both Syrian refugees and vulnerable Turkish citizens, aiming to strengthen social cohesion by expanding access to vocational training and formal employment pathways.
Access to formal employment plays a key role in economic stability. Formal jobs often provide regulated wages, safer working conditions and access to social protection systems. For displaced individuals, stable employment can reduce reliance on informal labor markets, which frequently offer inconsistent income and limited worker protections.
In addition to UNDP’s textile sector initiative, the International Labor Organization (ILO) has implemented broader employment and vocational training programs to improve refugees’ access to formal labor markets in Turkey. The ILO works with government institutions, employers and worker organizations to expand skills development, promote formal hiring and strengthen labor market governance.
Economic Integration and Long-Term Impact
The World Bank emphasizes that integrating refugees into labor markets can contribute to long-term economic growth when programs align skills development with employer demand. Workforce initiatives that connect vocational education to employer needs can reduce reliance on short-term assistance while strengthening national economies.
Beyond employment-focused initiatives, international agencies have also invested in strengthening the textile sector itself. The United Nations Environment Programme’s InTex Programme trained 230 industry representatives and supported 32 small and medium-sized enterprises in adopting eco-innovation and circular production practices in its first phase. By building technical capacity within the textile value chain, such programs demonstrate how skills development can improve both environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness in refugee-hosting countries.
Employment programs are increasingly recognized as a key component of refugee response strategies. International development agencies note that long-term displacement requires economic solutions that move beyond short-term humanitarian assistance. When refugees gain access to skills training and formal employment, they contribute to local consumption, industrial productivity and broader economic activity. Host countries may also benefit from addressing labor shortages in specific sectors.
Concluding Thoughts
The UNDP textile sector project concluded in January 2025 after completing its planned activities. By combining targeted skills training, industry partnerships and inclusive enrollment, the initiative demonstrated how job training for refugees in Turkey can contribute to poverty reduction, economic resilience and shared prosperity in refugee-hosting countries.
– Isil Ertas Senturk
Photo: Flickr
Smallholder Farmers in India: How Unilever Reduces Poverty
While India’s mortality rate from hunger and disease is statistically declining, the country still records the highest number of deaths from these causes.
The Influence of Smallholder Farmers
Although smallholder farmers account for a large share of India’s food production, numerous challenges restrict their ability to maximize output. There is very little support for improving farming practices among smallholder farmers in India. They have very little access to the necessities for growing crops: quality seeds, fertilizers and irrigation.
Many of India’s smallholder farmers are living in poverty, earning less than $2.15 a day. Regardless, they still face pressure to feed those in poverty while also navigating their own obstacles. In response, Unilever is creating partnerships, prioritizing investment in smallholder farmers and creating a lasting impact.
Tea Farmers in India
Tea farmers face various obstacles across India. A decline in tea prices has led to financial instability for workers and their livelihoods. Small tea growers depend on Bought Leaf Factories (BLFs) to sell their leaves immediately after plucking. These BLFs, which account for 54% of total tea production, prioritize quantity over quality.
Much of the tea is sold while still of low quality. As a result, the price at which tea is purchased also decreases. To address this, since 2013, Unilever has supported smallholder tea farmers in India in producing high-quality, climate-resilient crops.
This is critical as stronger crop yields that withstand climate impacts lead to higher tea sales, increasing income and improving financial stability for smallholder farmers in India. The organization helps between 7,000 and 10,000 Indian tea farmers each year.
Coffee Farming in India
Coffee has been a major part of India’s agricultural industry since the 1600s. However, the coffee farming industry in India is facing diseases and pests that are affecting coffee yields. With additional days of heat harming crop development, yields have declined and bean quality has decreased.
As coffee production is important to India’s economic value and overall financial stability, Unilever is teaching smallholder farmers in India regenerative agriculture practices. These include using natural fertilizers, conserving water and intercropping. Unilever is also investing in changing social norms by improving women’s livelihoods, offering them field-facilitator positions and creating livelihood programs. By 2027, Unilever aspires to support 50,000 coffee farmers.
Final Remarks
As a sustainable company, Unilever plans to create stable, long-lasting farms in India, leading to long-term improvements in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and reducing overall poverty. Smallholder farmers will receive higher incomes, creating a more stable living environment.
– Freya Bryers
Photo: Flickr
Progress Toward Universal Health Coverage
Universal Health Coverage: Goals and Challenges
Universal Health Coverage has been recognized as an important component of the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 goals adopted by United Nations (U.N.) member states for attainment by 2030. SDG 3 aims to ensure health and promote well-being for all people. According to the report, “UHC means that all people receive the health services they need without facing financial hardship.”
According to the WHO, as of 2021, 4.5 billion people (more than half of the global population) were not covered by essential health services. Even those who do receive essential coverage may experience financial hardship when using it, partly due to high out-of-pocket (OOP) costs. These costs are often catastrophic for households already struggling with or threatened by poverty.
According to the 2025 monitoring report, low-income countries have made the fastest progress towards UHC. However, these countries still have the furthest to go before reaching UHC goals. Low and middle-income countries are especially vulnerable to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which, according to the WHO, pose a significant threat to health in countries without adequate health care.
Common NCDs include cardiovascular diseases, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases. According to the WHO estimates, nearly three-quarters of NCD deaths occur in low and middle-income countries.
Progress Persists
Several countries have made significant progress toward UHC. A 2023 article in Exemplars in Global Health (EGH) reports on the steps countries such as Thailand, Ethiopia and Ghana have taken toward achieving UHC. These case studies suggest that adopting UHC is only one step toward equitable, affordable and accessible health care for all.
They underscore the importance of an integrative, holistic approach when reforming an entire health care system.
Thailand’s Investments in Primary Health Care Pay Off
Thailand’s journey with health care reform has illustrated the importance of strengthening primary health care systems alongside the adoption of a UHC program. When the country launched its UHC program in 2002, it responded to rising demand by investing heavily in its public health workforce, sharply increasing the number of doctors, midwives and nurses.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has emphasized the central role of primary health systems (PHS) in achieving UHC. He says investments in PHS are “the most inclusive, equitable and efficient path to UHC.” PHS can improve the distribution of care across both rural and urban areas.
In contrast, heavy investment in hospital-based care can concentrate health workers in cities. A collaborative study by the World Bank and the Government of Japan supports this finding. The study surveyed 11 countries at different stages of progress toward UHC.
It found that progress is typically incremental and highly context-specific, with shared challenges and a need for sustained political commitment and tailored policies to expand coverage.
Ethiopia Commits to Equity in Health Care
Ethiopia’s gains toward UHC have come with a commitment to equity, as reflected in its recognition of women’s specific health care needs. This has been realized through the development and expansion of services and resources. These include family planning, prenatal care, birthing facilities and qualified women’s health professionals such as birth attendants and obstetric care providers.
These areas of care were a key focus of the country’s 2003 Health Extension Program. According to the World Bank, the program has played a central role in the country’s strong progress in improving health outcomes and expanding coverage.
Decreasing OOP Costs in Ghana
Ghana offers another example of progress toward UHC. The country’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which is heavily subsidized by taxes and a national health insurance levy, makes care free at the point of service. According to the EGH, NHIS has reduced OOP costs for insured individuals.
However, the scheme covers less than 70% of the population. The poorest households remain the most vulnerable to OOP expenses that can be financially catastrophic. The article also notes that medical bills are not the only factor straining households.
Other costs, such as transportation, diagnostic tests and lost income from time away from work, can also undermine a family’s financial stability and overall well-being.
Final Remarks
These case studies show what health care reform can achieve when there is a commitment to equitable care, practical and integrated approaches and a willingness to adopt and adapt new strategies.
– Emma Kelsey
Photo: Unsplash
From Opium to Opportunity: Reducing Poverty in Northern Thailand
To address this, the Thai government has worked to reduce poverty in the region and promote alternative livelihoods through agriculture, coffee cultivation and tourism. The Royal Project Foundation, launched as the Royal Hill Tribe Assistance Project in 1969, has fundamentally transformed the way of life for the hill tribes and villages. Today, visitors can explore villages in provinces such as Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai to see how indigenous communities and migrant ethnic groups have embraced the government’s initiative.
Poverty in Northern Thailand
In recent years, Thailand has made notable progress in reducing poverty. Measured against the $8.30-per-day upper middle-income poverty line, the country’s poverty rate was 9.9% in 2023. However, high income inequality and regional disparities remain persistent challenges.
Poverty disproportionately affects agricultural communities due to the country’s reliance on farming jobs. According to the World Bank’s “Rural Income Diagnostic,” 79% of Thailand’s impoverished population lives in rural areas. Northern Thailand, in particular, continues to face heightened poverty levels; in 2013, the rural poverty rate in the region was around 17.8%, compared to 6.7% in central Thailand.
Within this context, the region’s hill tribes and villages continue to navigate economic challenges.
The King’s Vision: Peaches and Agriculture
In 1969, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej visited Doi Pui, a mountainous village in Chiang Mai and home to the Hmong tribe. Like many rural communities at the time, the Hmong were heavily involved in growing drug crops and participating in the opium trade, resulting in low incomes and poor living conditions. Recognizing these challenges, the King proposed a new agricultural model focused on fruit trees, specifically peaches.
This shift aimed to address the legal issues surrounding opium production, reduce local poverty and curb deforestation. “One of the reasons underlying the creation of the project was humanitarianism,” stated the King. The visit to Doi-Pui gave the King a vision he could apply to northern Thailand as a whole. He promptly initiated the Royal Project to help alleviate poverty across the region.
Obstacles and the Royal Project Foundation Today
Nearly 60 years later, the Royal Project Foundation continues to operate across five northern provinces, benefiting as many as 37,561 farming families. Its progress was far from linear, as the project faced significant obstacles in its early years. The first attempts to grow fruit trees failed, requiring collaboration with experts from Taiwan and experiments to adapt to northern Thailand’s unique climate before successful cultivation could be achieved.
As the project has progressed, tourism has become an integral part of the initiative, with visitors coming to see the cultivation of tea, fruit and coffee, as well as reforestation projects. Today, the project has transformed the incomes of its people and has significantly reduced poverty in northern Thailand.
Conclusion
The King’s blueprint for a prosperous countryside in northern Thailand, one where the people could work in tandem with the earth to support themselves, is an exceptional example of vision yielding tangible change. The lives of those who once relied on opium production to survive have been fundamentally transformed by a targeted poverty reduction project centered on sustainable agriculture and economic opportunity. Northern Thailand stands as an exemplary global showcase of what effort and initiative can achieve.
– Polly Laws
Photo: Flickr