Nearly all countries that have significantly reduced poverty in recent decades, have embraced some version of this strategy. Those countries that have not achieved sustained economic growth have been unable to reduce poverty substantially. We should also note that those countries that have been successful in fostering growth have moved strongly in the direction of market-oriented reforms. The need for empowerment is a constant concern for poor people, who often lack ways to express their views and protest abusive treatment suffered at the hands of officious bureaucrats, police and even outright thugs. These problems are often most vivid at the community level.
Security is one of the most important and frequently overlooked needs of poor people.
Those with meagre assets are especially vulnerable to unexpected misfortunes, and less able than others to undertake potentially high-return risks. Increasing the assets of the poor is one of the most effective means for them to cope better with risk. We have learned a great deal about how to overcome poverty. But in putting it into action, we must not confine ourselves just to following sound economic policies and focusing on measures which are directly oriented to the poor, important though these actions are. This kind of openness will ensure we in the international community continue to do things better.