Issue 4, August 2005 - In mid-September, world leaders will gather at the United Nations to take stock of progress to cut global poverty in half by 2015. To date, some countries are making strides, while the poor are getting poorer in others. Nonetheless, governments, U.N. agencies, and civil society groups have all rallied around global goals to “make poverty history” and have generated unprecedented public support in the process.

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Efforts to end extreme poverty worldwide by the year 2015 have so far been successful in some regions and less so in others. Global policies on aid, trade, and debt will play key roles in determining success over the next ten years.

While development aid is often vital for combatting poverty, is it really being invested in local communities to change the circumstances of the poor? This article examines where aid goes and proposed solutions for making it more effective.

The world now has the resources to end extreme poverty, say many of those working in the field around the world--it is only the political will that is lacking. Anti-poverty campaigners have formed vast coalitions in every region of the world to tell their leaders to finally "make poverty history."

A friendship with a priest from Africa inspired Alex to raise awareness and resources to meet the medical needs of a village in Uganda. His initiative was honored by NetAid.

Many of the poorest countries in the world are already showing that, with political commitment, the Millennium Development Goals can be achieved. 2005 is a critical year to mobilize constituencies, says veteran civil society leader and Millennium Campaign director Salil Shetty.

Humanitarian organizations prove daily they can provide for those victimized by disease, disaster, or war, but long-term solutions to persistent poverty lie in removing obstacles created by trade barriers, colonial history, tribal bias, and corrupt governments, says Action Against Hunger-USA.

When women have an extra dollar a day, they send their children to school, put food on the table, and help break the cycle of poverty. Women must be at the center of efforts to eradicate poverty, says Ritu Sharma.

There are millions of people who, if given the right financial tools—business training, tiny loans, and savings accounts—are able to work themselves and their families out of poverty. Microfinance is a unique solution to poverty that taps into the entrepreneurial spirit, says ACCION International.