Extreme poverty
Encyclopedia
Extreme poverty, as defined in 1996 by Joseph Wresinski
, the founder of ATD Fourth World, is:
This definition was adopted by the UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in s:The Despouy Report on Human Rights and Extreme Poverty.
In 2005 the World Bank defined extreme poverty as living on less than US$1.25 a day. This meant living on the equivalent of US$1.25 a day, in the US, buying US goods. In 2011, this means surviving on the equivalent to US$1.50, AUD$2 or 1 pound per day.
The eradication of extreme poverty and hunger
was the first Millennium Development Goal
, as set by 179 United Nations
Member States
in 2000. Economists and activists consider epidemic diseases (AIDS
, malaria
, tuberculosis
) as crucial factors in and consequences of extreme poverty.
Extreme poverty is most common in Sub-Saharan Africa
.
Joseph Wresinski
Born into poverty, Fr. Joseph Wresinski established major landmarks throughout his life in the fight against the worst forms of poverty, in collaboration with the very poor themselves and other partners...
, the founder of ATD Fourth World, is:
"The lack of basic security connotes the absence of one or more factors enabling individuals and families to assume basic responsibilities and to enjoy fundamental rights. The situation may become widespread and result in more serious and permanent consequences. The lack of basic security leads to chronic poverty when it simultaneously affects several aspects of people’s lives, when it is prolonged and when it severely compromises people’s chances of regaining their rights and of reassuming their responsibilities in the foreseeable future."
This definition was adopted by the UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in s:The Despouy Report on Human Rights and Extreme Poverty.
In 2005 the World Bank defined extreme poverty as living on less than US$1.25 a day. This meant living on the equivalent of US$1.25 a day, in the US, buying US goods. In 2011, this means surviving on the equivalent to US$1.50, AUD$2 or 1 pound per day.
The eradication of extreme poverty and hunger
Hunger
Hunger is the most commonly used term to describe the social condition of people who frequently experience the physical sensation of desiring food.-Malnutrition, famine, starvation:...
was the first Millennium Development Goal
Millennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals are eight international development goals that all 193 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015...
, as set by 179 United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Member States
United Nations member states
There are 193 United Nations member states, and each of them is a member of the United Nations General Assembly.The criteria for admission of new members are set out in the United Nations Charter, Chapter II, Article 4, as follows:...
in 2000. Economists and activists consider epidemic diseases (AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
, malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
, tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
) as crucial factors in and consequences of extreme poverty.
Extreme poverty is most common in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...
.
See also
- Absolute poverty
- Income inequality metricsIncome inequality metricsThe concept of inequality is distinct from that of poverty and fairness. Income inequality metrics or income distribution metrics are used by social scientists to measure the distribution of income, and economic inequality among the participants in a particular economy, such as that of a specific...
- Least Developed CountriesLeast Developed CountriesLeast developed country is the name given to a country which, according to the United Nations, exhibits the lowest indicators of socioeconomic development, with the lowest Human Development Index ratings of all countries in the world...
- Global Poverty Project
- Make Poverty HistoryMake Poverty HistoryMake Poverty History is the name of a campaign that exists in a number of countries, including Australia, Canada, Denmark , Finland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Romania, the United Arab Emirates, Great Britain and Ireland...
- Millennium Development GoalsMillennium Development GoalsThe Millennium Development Goals are eight international development goals that all 193 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015...
- Poverty line
- Poverty reductionPoverty reductionPoverty is the state of human beings who are poor. That is, they have little or no material means of surviving—little or no food, shelter, clothes, healthcare, education, and other physical means of living and improving one's life....
- The Life You Can SaveThe Life You Can SaveThe Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty is a 2009 non-fiction book written by Australian philosopher Peter Singer. In it, Singer argues that citizens of affluent nations are behaving immorally if they do not act to end the poverty they know to exist in developing nations.The book...
- Live Below the Line
Campaigns around extreme poverty
- Live Below the Line - this campaign challenges people in developed countries to feed themselves with the equivalent of the extreme poverty line to raise awareness of the challenges faced by those trapped in the cycle of extreme poverty, and raise funds for organisations working against global poverty. This campaign was started by the Global Poverty Project and Oaktree Foundation and launched in 2010.
- 40 Hour Famine - World Vision Australia started the 40 Hour Famine in 1975, for the purpose of raising money to help children, their families and communities in desperate need. The funds raised each year by the 40 Hour Famine continue to support World Vision’s work tackling the causes of poverty, through both short term solutions and long term development projects.