Sustainable Development and the Cycle of Poverty Daniel Eden VP Communications EWB McGill Chapter Courtney Miller Junior Fellow, Ghana, Summer 2008 Co-VP Member Learning EWB McGill Chapter

Overview Complexity of Poverty Status of our world Cycle of poverty EWB Case Study Courtney in Ghana YOUR Responsibility Privileges Obligations

But first, let’s dance! Ari chi cha, ari chi cha, ari chi cha, hey! 3

Our World How many people live without access to clean drinking water? 250 Million 500 Million c) 950 Million

Our World How many people live without access to sanitation? 500 Million 1 Billion c) 2.6 Billion 6

Access to sanitation: UNEP (www.unep.org)

Our World How many children die each year from hunger? 500,000 6 Million c) 1 Billion 8

Percentage of population affected by malnutrition by country according to United Nations statistics 35% 20-34% 5-19% 2.5 – 4% <2.5%

Our World 1 in 7 people live without access to safe drinking water - that means 4900 children die each day due to diarrhea alone 2.6 billion live without access to sanitation 6 million children under the age of 5 die each year from hunger alone - that is about a fifth of Canada’s population 1 in 6 people live under 1$US a day (1.1 billion) - about 3 billion under 2$US a day

4 Simple Ideas Poverty is a complex cycle Q. What are some of the factors ? Geography Politics Economics Social

Complex Cycle Geography Drought, unstable water source Infertile soil Limited resources

Complex Cycle Politics Warfare Government instability Corruption

Complex Cycle Economics Debt servicing Global market tariffs No subsidies

Complex Cycle Social Education Health care Infrastructure

Can’t afford to send children Money is scarce Can’t afford to send children to school ? Cycle of Poverty Vulnerable to changes in weather and unable to produce excess food Children won’t become literate and numerate New generation depends on inappropriate farming techniques

Can’t afford to send children No access to local markets Can’t afford to send children to school Children won’t become literate and numerate New generation depends on inappropriate farming techniques Vulnerable to changes in weather and unable to produce excess food Money is scarce Cycle of Poverty

Can’t afford to send children No access to local markets Local school can’t afford teacher Can’t afford to send children to school Children won’t become literate and numerate New generation depends on inappropriate farming techniques Vulnerable to changes in weather and unable to produce excess food Money is scarce Cycle of Poverty

Can’t afford to send children No access to local markets Local school can’t afford teacher Can’t afford to send children to school Children won’t become literate and numerate New generation depends on inappropriate farming techniques Vulnerable to changes in weather and unable to produce excess food Money is scarce Cycle of Poverty No healthcare or clinic Disease strikes family

Can’t afford to send children No access to local markets Local school can’t afford teacher Can’t afford to send children to school Children won’t become literate and numerate New generation depends on inappropriate farming techniques Vulnerable to changes in weather and unable to produce excess food Money is scarce Cycle of Poverty Government Debt inhibits farmer aid No healthcare or clinic Disease strikes family

Poverty is a complex cycle It is not impossible – there are successes 4 Simple Ideas Poverty is a complex cycle It is not impossible – there are successes

Success Story: Zambia The Objective: The Problem: The Solution: Introducing sorghum as a more appropriate crop instead of corn The Problem: Social stigma views sorghum as a “poor man’s crop” The Solution: Work with local farmers and entrepreneurs to break down stigma

Success Story: Zambia Sorghum Corn

Poverty is a complex cycle It is not impossible – there are successes 4 Simple Ideas Poverty is a complex cycle It is not impossible – there are successes It will be difficult What needs to change in community? What needs to change in development work? What needs to change in the West?

Change in the Community Break down stigmas and stereotypes Self-sufficiency less reliant on nature and land water capture and irrigation

Change in the Community Creating ownership Ensures maintenance and repair Entrepreneurs Leaders in the community Catalyze change

Change in Development Work Technology vs Implementation Appropriate technology for appropriate community “Doing” vs Building Capacity helping communities help themselves

Change in Development Work Sustainability Created, maintained, and controlled by community Not just a financial issue

Aid Change in the West Politics Make it an issue Quantity and Quality Trade Barriers and tariffs

Change in the West Politics : Make it an issue Use Your Vote, Your Voice Your MP represents You Shift in Aid (see www.my.ewb.ca)

Aid: More and better foreign aid Change in the West Aid: More and better foreign aid 0.7% of GDP commitment Tied and restrictive aid

Trade: Barriers and tariffs Change in the West Trade: Barriers and tariffs Aware consumers Fair Trade Fair Cooperations Global markets African Trade

4 Simple Ideas Poverty is a complex cycle It is not impossible – there are successes It will be difficult What needs to change in communities? What needs to change in development work? What needs to change in the West? 4. Abolishing poverty is possible and You can drive that change

THANK YOU!