OneWorld.net (U.S.)

© Millennium CampaignAlthough there are many crises facing the world today, the crisis of poverty and inequality is one of the most important. Unfortunately, we have become insensitive to its urgency. Some one-third of the planet’s population lives in shocking deprivation. It is estimated that 30,000 people, mostly children, die every day from poverty. This is equivalent to a silent tsunami every six days. While per capita income declined in at least 54 countries in the 1990s—and put 100 million more people in extreme poverty--there was unprecedented economic progress in the rich world during this time. The 1000 richest people in the world are now said to have a personal wealth greater than the 600 million people living in the so-called “least developed countries.”

Shamed by the sheer magnitude of these statistics, world leaders committed themselves to the Millennium Declaration in September 2000—and rededicated themselves to freeing their fellow citizens from the indignity and suffering accompanying abject poverty. They gave themselves 15 years to meet a set of very minimal, but concrete targets called the Millennium Development Goals. Best estimates are that an additional $50-100 billion could help achieve these Goals within the next decade. With some $900 billion spent on arms every year, world leaders cannot assert that there are not enough financial resources to meet the basic needs of all.

But why should Americans care about global poverty? Firstly, it isn’t a case of addressing domestic over global poverty, which is a false choice. We simply have to deal with both. And, the causal factors and attitudes that lead to exclusion and poverty are the same in rich and poor countries. Everyone on the planet has the right to food, shelter, education, respect, and the right to lead a life free from poverty. From the perspective of social justice alone, it’s the ethical choice. Secondly, in survey after survey, the public in rich countries has made it loud and clear that they want governments to do more. Thirdly, our security depends on combating poverty. Living in a world of new and evolving threats, nation states must combat poverty in order to combat terrorism, organised crime, and proliferation.

Finally, in 2005, we have a real chance to make a difference—to bring development back on the agenda vs. an obsession with the so-called “war on terror.” The U.N. meeting in September 2005, which will review progress on the Goals, is critical. Despite the rhetoric from governments, action is only likely when there is pressure from citizens holding governments accountable for their promises. The good news is that things are beginning to change. Many of the poorest countries in the world are already showing that, with political commitment, these Goals can be achieved. Malawi, Eritrea and The Gambia are making progress on primary education, as are Thailand, Uganda and Senegal with AIDS. We still have a long way to go, however, if we want the Goals to be achieved by 2015.

Mobilizing constituencies in the U.S. can make a big difference. The ONE Campaign, for example, brings together major U.S. and international NGOs to push for a real breakthrough on poverty and AIDS. Ultimately, we don’t need another tsunami or a 9/11 to remind us of how closely the world is interlinked. We are the first generation that can actually end poverty, but we are running out of excuses.

Salil Shetty, Director © Millennium Campaign