I would like to spend the first part of this presentation defining different forms of poverty. The poverty that is described by lack of money exists in many parts of the world. But, there is a difference between money poverty and food poverty. In Central America, people lack both money and food. This makes life very difficult and as a consequence, dangerous.
People have nothing to eat and no money to feed their families.
The results are alarming, with extremely high crime rates, including violent crimes such as armed robbery, muggings and murders. The ghettos that exist in all wealthy nations are similarly characterised by high crime rates, violence and domestic unrest. Now let me compare this with the poverty witnessed in the Pacific Islands such as Bougainville. Although there are very few people walking around with new clothes or sneakers, or driving new four-wheel drives, when I was there, I did not encounter any beggars. And despite there being a conflict for over 10 years, Bougainville remains one of the safest places I have visited.