The word evokes strong images. Images that are one- dimensional and reveal little about the circumstances of a life lived on the edge of survival. The perception is often one of weakness. And that emerging from poverty is simply a matter of determination-picking oneself up by the bootstraps. The truth is quite different.
Poverty is complex, multidimensional.
Its origins are bound up in geography, history, culture and politics. At the same time, poverty makes all these problems worse, creating a cycle of despair that affects an individual's self-esteem, ability to communicate needs, and faith in the future. It undermines political stability, social cohesion and the environmental health of our planet. One-third of humanity still live in poverty, despite steady increases in global income since 1960. The gap between rich and poor is growing as never before, leaving hundreds of millions with little stake in a secure global future.