A fairer world - The Tasmanian Center for Global Learning
Beggar, Nepal. Source: www.bigfoto.com

Did you know?
  • More than 1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water. *
  • Six million children die each year from illness that could be prevented by basic health services. *
  • The richest one fifth of humanity is 50 times wealthier than the poorest fifth. *
  • The world's 3 richest people have greater wealth than the world's 48 poorest countries, with a population of 600m. *

WEALTH AND POVERTY


Living well doesn’t require great wealth, but it requires sufficient resources to live in health and dignity. Many of the world’s people lack those resources, for no other reason than the place and circumstances of their birth. More than 800 million people live in hunger, and nearly half of humanity is struggling to survive on less than $2 a day.

Poverty is a vicious circle that is maintained by factors such as poor health and inadequate education. Debts and unfair trade rules are keeping many countries locked in poverty. These factors could be eliminated given sufficient political will.

In 2001, world leaders agreed to eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that include halving extreme poverty and achieving universal primary education by 2015. Some progress has been made – for example, the number of children missing primary school has fallen in the last five years. But there have also been setbacks, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

To take action, join the Make Poverty History Campaign, an international coalition that is working to achieve better aid, fairer trade and debt relief for low-income countries.

This section contains information and links on Food and water, Housing and land, Health, Education, Employment and Disaster relief.



Find out about wealth and poverty in our world
  • The United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Reports will give you a perspective on the different levels of development around the world.
  • Another source of development information is the World Bank's World Development Indicators. They also have a page on poverty - PovertyNet - which looks at monitoring, measurement and strategies for the reduction of poverty.
  • The Development Gateway Poverty page will lead you to a wide selection of background materials.

How rich a lifestyle do you really need?

We live in luxury compared to so many of the people in this world. By living more simply and using less of the world's resources we can help to create a world in which all people can receive their fair share.
  • The American Public Broadcasting Service has a site for a program they did on Escape from Affluenza which discusses practical solutions to overconsumption, waste and environmental deterioration.
  • The Lifestyle Movement is a British group that provides guidance on how to live in ways that "reflect the ideals of justice for our Earth and those who live on it".

Acting to bring an end to poverty

There are many organisations working to reduce poverty internationally. Here is a sample selection.
  • War on Want tackles the root causes of global poverty by helping poor communities and by challenging the corporations that help to create poverty.
  • CAFOD is actively working against poverty in over 60 countries.
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