Persistence of poverty calls for a new approach to development for countries across the world - North and South

There are 920m people in the Global South living on less than $1.25 a day. In a world with resources many times what is required to eliminate global poverty this situation is intolerable according to the latest Policy Briefing fromSocial Justice Ireland.  

The Briefing argues that “the elimination of poverty in all countries of the world should be a global priority until it is achieved.  But that’s only a part of what is required.  A new development model that has economic, social and environmental sustainability at its core is urgently needed."

It goes on to argue that "in the period ahead Ireland should seek such a sustainable development model for itself as well as for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people and nations”

The Policy Briefing entitled Ireland and the Global South claims that while this millennium has seen some progress in Asia, the situation has changed little since the 1980s in Sub-Saharan Africa and in Lain America.  It goes on to develop this theme and to make recommendations to the Irish Government.

World’s development model is failing

The world’s dominant development model is obviously failing. Whether we focus on the whole world, the Global South or Ireland these failures are clear and consistent.

The current development model has not brought secure economic development.

There are many failures on issues such as governance and accountability. It does not promote human development effectively.

The promotion of human dignity, human rights or equality is not a priority for this model. Above all it is not sustainable economically, socially or environmentally.

The Millennium Development Goals

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) sought to bring a range of issues to the centre of policy-making. They set goals to be achieved by 2015. 

A certain amount has been achieved but nothing on the scale hoped for when these goals were first identified.

Beyond 2015

As we look to the period beyond 2015 we should learn from this experience and follow a process that includes three core, interlinked elements:

i) it must  involve people, especially those who are vulnerable and/or affected, in the decision-making process in a meaningful way;

ii) it must seek out and be guided by a development model that has economic, social and environmental sustainability at its core; and

iii) all countries of the world should be incorporated into this sustainable development process.

An alternative development model is required.

Central to the process of agreeing the essential components of such a model should be the engagement of all stakeholders including civil society. 

Ireland and the Global South

Ireland has had substantial engagement with the countries of the Global South in one form or another for many years. Ireland’s missionaries and volunteers have been involved in some cases for more than a century.

From modest beginnings in 1974, when the aid Budget was £1.5m, Ireland’s programme of assistance to developing countries has grown substantially to its 2012 level of €639m. 

While this marks a fall of more than €280m since 2008 it is still a substantial contribution and one that should be increased in the years ahead to the UN’s target of 0.7% of GNP.

In the period ahead Ireland should seek a sustainable development model for itself as well as for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people and nations

Social Justice Ireland Policy Briefing on the Global South can be accessed here