In 1995, the UN General Assembly declared that: “Eradicating poverty is an ethical, social, political and economic imperative of humankind”. And it set up the First United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006). However much I identify with and admire the work of the United Nations, in this instance it is generally recognised that poverty was neither eradicated (i.e. eliminated) nor even made to recede. While the problem is immense and will continue as a plague on our conscience for years to come, we have become wiser as to how to go about it. For example, recent studies have shown that most anti-poverty programmes lift out of poverty only those that are just below the poverty line, leaving the poorest of the poor even further behind, hence the immense value, as model, of the work of Teresa of Calcutta. Also, as already stated, building a partnership with the most disadvantaged which takes into account their efforts and aspirations is the only possible way to really eradicate poverty.

The people of Agalega, the Masaai of Kenya, the Aboriginal population of Australia may each, as a group, require special consideration (based on the people’s needs and priorities). to move out of poverty into self-sufficiency. As an example, in rural Vietnam, a project of “Sustainable Aquaculture for Hunger Eradication and Poverty Alleviation” has been designed to enhance the livelihood of poor and vulnerable peoples through aquaculture. Irony of fate, the programme was inspired by the action of peasants who used craters left by American bombs, filled with rain water, to do fish and prawn-farming! And when one considers the added value of prawns on the local and world markets, coupled with a very hard working population, success was assured.

Development must come from within, although assistance from UN and other agencies, as well as from bi-lateral donors, can be extremely helpful. However, the nature and pace of development can NEVER be dictated by the latter, as every honest UN official knows. I quote here, as an example, a Bangladeshi Minister Dr A.M. Khan, who, in August 2006, threw a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) to the floor right in front of the World Bank country director. He termed the paper as “worthless”, and mentioned that “it belonged to the area of no merit, and which served the interest of the donors only”. He expressed grave disappointment that the paper did not even include science and ICT in its contents, the PRSP authors having failed to realise the importance of cyber technology in their poverty reduction strategy. And of course he was right, if we go by the contribution of cyber technology to the development of their larger neighbour, India, which together with Malaysia and China are well embarked, against fearful odds, on the road to “MAKING POVERTY HISTORY”.

This historic phrase aptly describes the aim of poverty eradication policies. We are not referring here to reduction or alleviation, which to use a dental comparison, is not the panadols which alleviate and reduce a toothache, but the permanent filling or even the extraction of the bad tooth! Which as you will have perceived involves a certain degree of sacrifice! The correct comparison is with the eradication, that is the complete elimination worldwide, of smallpox, so proclaimed on May 8, 1980 by WHO.

The Make Poverty History campaign was a British and Irish coalition of charities,religious groups, trade unions,campaigning groups and celebrities who mobilized around the UK’s prominence in world politics in 2005 to increase awareness and pressure governments into taking action towards relieving absolute poverty. The three demands of the campaign were: “trade justice”; “drop the debt” and “more and better aid”, with the aim of making poverty history by 2020. It should be noted that none of these aims are new and typically they reflect the rich countries’ attitude and contribution to poverty eradication. THE VIEW FROM POOR AND MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES REFLECTS INSTEAD THE NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH LEADING TO SELF SUFFICIENCY AND FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE OF INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITIES AND NATIONS.

The cynics say that to eradicate poverty, we have to eradicate human greed itself, besides having to eradicate all disease, all hunger and all suffering in the world. This is not feasible, not in the present politico-social climate prevalent in the world at large in this 21st century including in tiny Mauritius. May be 2220, not 2020, would be a more realistic target date for the elimination of poverty and suffering amongst humans and why not amongst all living creatures on planet earth!

TEN PRIORITIES:The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has outlined ten priorities to eradicate poverty. All those of us concerned with poverty eradication (and who is not!) should carefully reflect on these points, but without taking them as all inclusive, immutable laws. These are, in short version:

1. Eradication of poverty cannot be brought about by charity (hand-outs), but means first and foremost empowering poor people;

2. Since women fall into poverty more easily and more frequently than men, ending discrimination against women and girls and promoting gender equality are critical for poverty eradication;

3. Productive employment, including self-employment, plays a central role in poverty eradication; access of the poor to land, capital and other productive resources must be improved;

4. Hunger and malnutrition are the worst manifestations of poverty. The chronically hungry cannot grow out of poverty (implying the need for increased production and more equable distribution of food);

5. Sufficient supply of safe water and a clean environment are necessary for life; poverty eradication and environment protection should be mutually supportive;

6. Good health and in particular comprehensive programmes of preventive medicine;

7. Education is the key to development; quality basic education, as well as secondary and higher education, vocational training, and skill acquisition throughout life are indispensable tools to eradicate poverty;

8. More investment by governments to develop social services and less expenditure on military;

9. Good governance and effective administration are prerequisites to effectively fight poverty; public policy should aim at preserving social cohesion and promoting social stability, especially through democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;

10. A global alliance must be forged by the entire international community, with governments, the United Nations, international financial institutions, regional organisations, civil society and private sector joining hands to make poverty eradication a central goal of humanity.

Dr. Michael ATCHIA</B> <I>[email protected]</I>