Robert Wrigley, Intern for the Director, UNRIC Brussels
This 9th issue of Internal Voices on poverty highlights a theme which strikes a sensitive chord in each and every one of us. Wherever in the world we may come from, and in whichever UN agency we may be interning, we are all constantly confronted with the fact that there are some who are in dire need of food and shelter.
As UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his message on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2009, “the global economic crisis has claimed at least 50 million jobs this year. A further 100 million more people are expected to fall below the poverty line in 2009.” The fact that the first Millennium Development Goal is the “Eradication of Extreme Poverty and Hunger” reflects the importance this issue has in the minds of world leaders for improving the human condition.
In compiling this issue I was surprised at the wide variety of passions and opinions unleashed. Be it on the theoretical level of defining the concept of poverty, or real-life experiences which you decided to share, each contribution presents a different view, describes a different, grim reality and proposes original solutions. Poverty is always discussed in relation to another defining issue of our time: gender equality, environmental sustainability, universal education, global partnership… In a most exceptional way, the patchwork of articles which emerges, perfectly matches the first Millennium Development Goal with the other seven.
What can we make of this? Your contributions have made it obvious that poverty cannot be treated as a woe of its own; its sources and effects are widespread and it is only by tackling the world’s problems together that we can hope to bring an end to extreme poverty and hunger. The Millennium Development Goals offer this fantastic opportunity to act in a coordinated and global manner. Indeed, they have galvanized the efforts of the world’s countries and leading development institutions to meet the needs of the world’s poorest.
Yet as interns, what can we do? Can we make a difference? I hope that after reading this issue you will each come to appreciate the importance you can have. The tools for combating poverty around the world go far beyond donations and medical aid. Information, education, everyday acts for the preservation of our planet, respect towards women and children… They are all inter-related. Awareness is a first step, yet individual actions, when they come together, can make a difference.■
This 9th issue of Internal Voices on poverty highlights a theme which strikes a sensitive chord in each and every one of us. Wherever in the world we may come from, and in whichever UN agency we may be interning, we are all constantly confronted with the fact that there are some who are in dire need of food and shelter.
As UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his message on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2009, “the global economic crisis has claimed at least 50 million jobs this year. A further 100 million more people are expected to fall below the poverty line in 2009.” The fact that the first Millennium Development Goal is the “Eradication of Extreme Poverty and Hunger” reflects the importance this issue has in the minds of world leaders for improving the human condition.
In compiling this issue I was surprised at the wide variety of passions and opinions unleashed. Be it on the theoretical level of defining the concept of poverty, or real-life experiences which you decided to share, each contribution presents a different view, describes a different, grim reality and proposes original solutions. Poverty is always discussed in relation to another defining issue of our time: gender equality, environmental sustainability, universal education, global partnership… In a most exceptional way, the patchwork of articles which emerges, perfectly matches the first Millennium Development Goal with the other seven.
What can we make of this? Your contributions have made it obvious that poverty cannot be treated as a woe of its own; its sources and effects are widespread and it is only by tackling the world’s problems together that we can hope to bring an end to extreme poverty and hunger. The Millennium Development Goals offer this fantastic opportunity to act in a coordinated and global manner. Indeed, they have galvanized the efforts of the world’s countries and leading development institutions to meet the needs of the world’s poorest.
Yet as interns, what can we do? Can we make a difference? I hope that after reading this issue you will each come to appreciate the importance you can have. The tools for combating poverty around the world go far beyond donations and medical aid. Information, education, everyday acts for the preservation of our planet, respect towards women and children… They are all inter-related. Awareness is a first step, yet individual actions, when they come together, can make a difference.■
0 comment(s) to... “Editorial”
0 comments:
Post a Comment