Introduction to Global Human Rights Issues: Poverty

Key Terms Poverty – The state of being poor or wanting of the necessities of life, including access to health, education, and minimum standards of living (cooking fuel, toilet, water, electricity, floor, assets).

UN 2015 Human Development Report: Those living in extreme poverty and deprivation are among the most vulnerable. More than 2.2 billion people are either near or living in poverty. About 842 million suffer from chronic hunger. 1.2 billion people live with $1.25 or less a day. Almost 1.5 billion people in 91 developing countries lack basic health, education and living standards. Although poverty is declining, almost 800 million people are at risk of falling back into poverty if setbacks occur.

Key Terms Systemic vulnerability – A complex whole of connected parts (i.e. a “system”) that increases the vulnerability of individuals or their communities. Examples – Lack of jobs – Inability to work due to illness or family obligations – Poor working conditions, including low wages

Causes of Poverty What contributes to systemic vulnerability? – economic shock – rights violations – natural disasters – disease – conflict – environmental hazards

Symptoms of Poverty In the home: – selling assets (things we want or need) – children not going to school – postponing or neglecting necessary medical care In the community: – increase in crime, suicide, violence, drug abuse, and migration

Key Terms Human Development: – Enlarging people's critical choices and their ability to be educated, be healthy, have a reasonable standard of living and feel safe -- and ensuring security of these elements. – Removing barriers that hold people back in their freedom to act. – Enabling the disadvantaged and excluded to realize their rights, to express their concerns openly, to be heard and to become active agents in shaping their destiny. – Having the freedom to live a life that one values and to manage one's affairs adequately.

Reducing poverty: Access to social services – education, health care, water supply and sanitation, and public safety Social protection: – unemployment insurance, pension programs, labour standards