SEATTLE — Global poverty has been cut in half since the 1980s; yet, there are still billions of people living with little food and unsanitary water. In fact, poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa has increased. Despite this, World Bank President Dr. Jim Yong Kim believes the end to world poverty can be achieved by the year 2030. While he understands how intimidating this goal is, his passion to create a world free of poverty remains.
In 1990, the U.N. set a goal to cut poverty in half by 2015. This goal was met five years ahead of its deadline. Focusing on agriculture, environmental sustainability and maintaining partnerships are some of the ways this was achieved.
The Millennium Development Goals, or MDGs, have played a large part in eradicating poverty. They continue to tackle eight key issues from hunger to gender equality. Although not all of the targets will be reached by the 2015 deadline, the progress that has been made will be continued in the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals and the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
While ending world poverty is possible, The World Bank has determined the stopping point would be at a three percent poverty rate. There will still be people who may lose their jobs or experience shortcomings which can put them into poverty. In his Georgetown University speech Kim said, “to achieve the desired result, particularly in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa…efforts to curb inequality and enhance inclusiveness need to increase.”
If the world can cut poverty in half five years ahead of schedule, it is more than possible for nations to gather and eradicate poverty by 2030. Linda Yueh, Chief business correspondent of BBC says if a similar approach is taken from the past, “it’s possible that another 18% of the world population can be lifted out of poverty.”
With advocacy, agricultural development and equality we may soon see a world where better living conditions for all will be achieved.
– Kimberly Quizton
Sources: BBC, Georgetown University