Job creation effective way to fight poverty
Bangkok, 17 October 2010— Decent and productive work is one of the most effective ways to fight poverty and accelerate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, says the United Nations Millennium Campaign in observance of the 2010 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
This year’s observance focuses on decent work, meaningful employment, income-generating livelihoods under the theme of ‘From Poverty to Decent Work: Bridging the Gap.’ The theme underlines that combating poverty is linked to the satisfaction of basic social needs, including education, health, food, sanitation, shelter and clothing, as well as the provision of sufficient work opportunities as stipulated in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“Different facets of poverty are manifested in every MDG being off track. When a child doesn’t go to school or a family cannot afford health or sanitation, the underlining cause is poverty,” says Minar Pimple, Regional Director, UN Millennium Campaign Asia and the Pacific Regional Office.
Almost 70% of the world’s poor live in Asia and the Pacific region, according to the UN Asia-Pacific Regional MDG Report 2009/10. Whilst Asia and the Pacific is anticipated to serve as the engine that pulls the global economy out of recession, the same report shows a contrast picture to that speculation. Hundreds of millions of people in this region are still left in appalling destitution—living on less than $1.25 a day, lacking clean water and sanitation, their families devastated by the tragic and needless deaths of mothers and children.
“Asia and the Pacific region are at greater risk of losing development gains made during the past decade and even plunging deeper into poverty should the global economic crisis persist. Thus the fight against poverty is of extreme urgency and should be put at the forefront of national development policy. It must go hand in hand with efforts to accelerate the achievement of the MDGs,” he continues.
A clear resonance of the global call against poverty was made last month when millions of people around the globe joined the annual Stand Up Take Action Make Noise campaign, sending a message to end poverty to the world leaders gathering at the Millennium Development Goals Summit in New York.
The subsequent MDG Summit agreed on an action agenda to intensify the global poverty fight, recognizing the importance and urgency of investing in economic and social policies that foster job creation and promoting decent labour conditions as measures to eradicating poverty, strengthening economies and building peaceful and stable societies.
Echoing the UN Secretary-General’s message on this occasion, Mr. Pimple emphasizes that, “Widespread economic uncertainty and fiscal austerity should not be excuses to do less. Rather, they are reasons to do more to meet the target of ending global poverty by the 2015 target. One way of doing so is to strive to expand job opportunities and safe working conditions everywhere.”
Media Contact for further information and interviews with Minar Pimple, Regional Director, UN Millennium Campaign Asia and the Pacific Regional Office
Shafqat Munir Ahmad
+66 2 288 2542 (Office)
+66 89 8831545 (Mobile phone)
ahmad57@un.org
Natthinee Rodraksa
+66 2 288 1485 (Office)
+66 80 2235253 (Mobile phone)
rodraksa@un.org
About the UN Millennium Campaign
The UN Millennium Campaign was established by the UN Secretary General in 2002. The Campaign supports citizens’ efforts to hold their governments to account for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The Millennium Development Goals were adopted by 189 world leaders from rich and poor countries, as part of the Millennium Declaration which was signed in 2000. These leaders agreed to achieve the Goals by 2015. Our premise is simple: we are the first generation that can end poverty and we refuse to miss this opportunity. For more information, visit www.asiapacific.endpoverty2015.org.
Background on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
The observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty can be traced back to 17 October 1987. On that day, over a hundred thousand people gathered at the Trocadéro in Paris, where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948, to honour the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger. They proclaimed that poverty is a violation of human rights and affirmed the need to come together to ensure that these rights are respected. These convictions are inscribed in a commemorative stone unveiled on this day. Since then, people of all backgrounds, beliefs and social origins have gathered every year on October 17 th to renew their commitment and show their solidarity with the poor.
Through the UN resolution 47/196 adopted on 22 December 1992, the General Assembly declared 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The observance aims to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries, particularly in developing countries.
