By 2030 © UN Photo / Eskinder Debebe 167 million NO POVERTY: children will live in WHY IT MATTERS extreme poverty What’s the goal here? live in Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa and To end poverty in all its they account for about 70 if the world forms everywhere by 2030. per cent of the global total of extremely poor people. doesn’t take Why? In 2017, economic losses More than 700 million peo- attributed to natu- action ple, or 11% of the world pop- ral disasters were esti- ulation, still live in extreme mated at over $300 to improve poverty and is struggling to billion, among the highest fulfil the most basic needs losses in recent years. health like health, education, and access to water and san- However, this issue also and education itation, to name a few.. affects developed coun- tries. Right now there Yes. The overwhelming are 30 million children majority of people living growing up poor in the on less than $1.90 a day world’s richest countries. Why is there so much So what can I do about it? for the poor, focusing on poverty in the world? segments of the econ- If you are a young person: omy where most of the Poverty has many dimen- Your active engagement poor are active, namely sions, but its causes in policymaking can make on micro and small enter- include unemploy- a difference in addressing prises and those operating ment, social exclusion, poverty. It ensures that in the informal sector. and high vulnerability your rights are promoted If you are part of the sci- of certain population and that your voice is ence and academic com- to disasters, diseases heard, that inter-gen- and other phenomena erational knowledge is munity: The academic and which prevent them shared, and that innova- education community have a major role in increasing from being productive. tion and critical thinking the awareness about the are encouraged at all ages impact of poverty. Science I’m not poor. Why should I to support transforma- provides the foundation care about other people’s tional change in people’s for new and sustainable economic situation? lives and communities. approaches, solutions and There are many reasons, If you are a policymaker: technologies to tackle the but in short, because as Governments can help challenges of reducing human beings, our well- create an enabling envi- poverty and achieving sus- being is linked to each tainable development. The ronment to generate pro- other. Growing inequality contribution of science ductive employment and is detrimental to economic to end poverty has been job opportunities for the growth and undermines significant. For example, poor and the marginalized. social cohesion, increas- it has enabled access They can formulate strate- ing political and social to safe drinking water, gies and fiscal policies that tensions and, in some reduced deaths caused stimulate pro-poor growth, circumstances, driving by water-borne diseases, and reduce poverty. instability and conflicts. and improved hygiene to If you work in the private reduce health risks related Can we actually to unsafe drinking water sector: The private sector, achieve this goal? and lack of sanitation. as an engine of economic Yes. To end extreme pov- growth, has a major role To find out more erty worldwide in 20 to play in determining about Goal #1 and years, economist Jeffrey whether the growth it cre- other Sustainable Sachs calculated that the ates is inclusive and hence Development Goals visit: total cost per year would contributes to poverty http://www.un.org/ be about $175 billion. This reduction. It can promote sustainabledevelopment represents less than one economic opportunities percent of the combined income of the richest countries in the world.