World Poverty and Development Issues

World Poverty

• Development is a complex concept encompassing economic growth, social progress, and institutional improvements.
• Developed countries, often in North America or Europe, have higher levels of economic output, education, and infrastructure than developing countries, typically found in Africa or South America.
• The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite measure of development, evaluating life expectancy, education, and income.
• Location patterns of high- and low-development countries demonstrate significant global disparities, often associated with historical factors, economic policies, and geographical conditions.

Causes of Poverty (Haiti)

• Several factors contribute to Haiti's poverty, including political instability, natural disasters, a legacy of colonialism, economic mismanagement, and poor infrastructure.
• These interlocking problems create a difficult environment to escape.

Poverty in Canada

• The cycle of poverty is a complex issue where poverty in one generation can lead to poverty in subsequent generations; this can be exacerbated for marginalized groups.
• Marginalized groups in Canada include those who are disabled, single-headed households, Indigenous people, and visible minorities, facing systemic barriers impacting their economic well-being.

International Efforts to Reduce Poverty

• Successful development projects are often driven by the needs and priorities of local communities.
• Effective approaches use appropriate technology suited to local contexts, fostering local capacity to manage and sustain projects, along with long-term involvement.
• Case studies like Dominion Farms and IDRC projects illustrate examples of successful development interventions.

What is Globalization?

• Globalization represents the increasing interconnectedness and interdependence among countries through trade, technology, and culture.
• Export Processing Zones (EPZs) are areas with favorable policies to attract foreign investment and export production.
• The New International Division of Labour Theory describes the shift of manufacturing jobs from developed to developing countries.

Globalization and Labour

• The Globalization index measures the extent to which countries are involved in global trade, finance or migration.
• Sweatshops are workplaces with exploitative labor practices, often involving low wages, unsafe conditions, and child labor.
• Multinational corporations often have significant influence over labor standards in host countries.

Child Labour

• Child labor violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Child labor deprives children of their right to education and a healthy childhood.
• Case studies such as child mining for gold in Burkina Faso highlight the harsh realities of this issue.

Climate Migrants

• Climate change is a driver for environmental migration, as changing environmental conditions displace populations.
• Climate migrants are individuals forced to relocate due to the effects of climate change.
• The Dhaka (Bangladesh) case study is an example of a region experiencing the impact of climate change and subsequent displacement.

Conflict and Climate Change

• Climate change vulnerability indexes measure the susceptibility of various regions to climate-related risks.
• A link exists between climate change impacts, such as drought or migration, and potential societal conflicts.

This quiz explores the multifaceted issue of world poverty, focusing on both global disparities and specific country case studies. Key topics include the Human Development Index, the causes of poverty in Haiti, and the cycle of poverty in Canada. Test your knowledge and understanding of the complex factors affecting poverty around the world.