This month Guyana will be joining the rest of the United Nations member countries in commemorating International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
Through Resolution 47/196, adopted on December 22, 1992, the General Assembly declared October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The UN invited all States to devote the Day to presenting and promoting, as appropriate in the national context, concrete activities with regard to the eradication of poverty and destitution.
The resolution further invites inter-governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations to assist States, at their request, in organising national activities for the observance of this important day. The resolution requests the Secretary General to pursue, within existing resources, the necessary measures to ensure the success of the Day’s observance by the UN.
People of all backgrounds, beliefs, and social origins gathered every year since 1992 on October 17 at various places to renew their commitment to eradicating poverty and to show their solidarity with the poor. October 17 presents an opportunity for the world to acknowledge the efforts made by Member States as well as the poor in their struggle to overcome poverty. It also allows Member States, as well as the poor, a chance to make their concerns heard. And it allows the world a day to recognise that poor people are the first ones to combat poverty in their own ways.
According to the UN, some one billion people live in extreme poverty and more than 800 million endure hunger and malnutrition. The UN has noted that poverty was not simply measured by inadequate income. It is manifested in restricted access to health, education, sanitation and other essential services and, too often, by the denial or abuse of other fundamental human rights. The poor are marginalised in government participation.
As pointed out by former Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, poverty is both a cause and consequence of marginalisation and social exclusion. To fulfil the promise of the 2030 UN Agenda not to leave anyone behind, Member States must address the humiliation and exclusion of people living in poverty in governance. Governments need to be reminded that humiliation and exclusion are powerful drivers of social unrest.
It is the duty of all Governments and societies to address systemic socio-economic inequalities and to facilitate the governmental engagement of all people living in extreme poverty. Governments must provide them a role so they can help themselves, their families and their communities to build a more equitable and meaningful life as well as a sustainable and prosperous future for all.
In Guyana, too many citizens are still considered living below the poverty line, and many more are still waiting to access the opportunities that would allow them to lift themselves out of poverty. Even though President David Granger has said before that Guyana has enough resources to banish poverty forever, the nation is still waiting to see what concrete plans and programmes are being put in place by the Administration to eradicate poverty and to create “the good life” for all that was promised.
The Government must come up with plans to improve education and expand Guyana’s economy to create job opportunities. This is a basic condition to lift people out of poverty as well as, in the process, promote socio-economic equality.
Guyana is not a poor country in terms of natural resources. Guyana’s hinterland possesses bountiful natural resources. But despite this endowment, the country remains underdeveloped and mired in poverty. It is plagued by poor infrastructure and environmental hazards.
It is also noted that there is a wide disparity in development and in household income between the hinterland and the coastland regions and between urban and rural areas; urban areas are more developed and have much higher household incomes. Efforts must be made to reduce this gap if the nation is to become a more equal nation in terms of urban versus rural areas and/or hinterland versus coastal regions.
Building a sustainable future requires Governments as well as people to intensify efforts towards eradicating extreme poverty and ensuring that everyone can fully exercise their human rights. The full participation of the poor in decision making that impacts on their lives and communities must be at the centre of Government policies and strategies to build a sustainable future.
