Why Poverty? is a collaborative effort whose mission is to get people thinking about poverty and what they can do to help end it. Working with award winning film makers, talent that is just starting out and documentary film makers from all over the globe, Why Poverty? wants to reach wide and diverse audiences to get perspective on what poverty really is and what actually needs to be done about it.

Documentaries include factual information about the various causes and effects of extreme poor. Short films are thought provoking and inspiring to deliberately force audiences to question what they have learned and what they can do next. The effort was launched by the nonprofit organization called Steps.

All of the film and video content on the Why Poverty? website is free for non commercial purposes.

Students who want to show a film to their class or bloggers who are spreading the word to their readers are both allowed to take and share content from the Why Poverty? films. Many of the films investigate how inequality in communities lack of education in children, corruption in government and economical failures can all lead to poverty in nations across the globe.

Visiting foreign lands and talking to people living under these conditions is an example of how the films bring the questions surrounding the issue of global inequality to life. What does it take to feed a family? Is it okay for some people to be rich beyond their wildest dreams while others cannot afford to eat? Does gender make a difference in the chances someone has to escape poverty?

Filmmakers collaborate with writers and documentary experts to find out.

Half the battle of ending poverty is education and awareness. Nobody can help solve a problem about which they know nothing. Millions and millions of people all over the world are struggling with disease, lack of clean water, hunger, violence and economical instability. People live in distress and fear, and nations like the United States and other fully developed countries are in a position to help.

Wealthy and powerful, the leading nations have the ability to put an end to the suffering in many parts of the world. Implementing time conscious policies and aid programs would pose a fraction of the cost of military spending or other government department budgets. Why Poverty? asks the general public to think about the facts and consider ways that the everyday person and not just the government can take action.

– Kaitlin Sutherby

Sources: Healthedeals, Bloomberg Opinion, The Washington Post
Photo: BBC