Last week we had an opportunity to attend a lecture by Professor Thomas A. Nazario at the University of San Francisco School of Law. He is the founder of The Forgotten International. For over 30 years Professor Nazario has worked in a variety of ways to help identify the needs and defend the rights of children, not only here in the United States, but worldwide.
He posed the question “What is Poverty?” He breaks it down into three categories. Relative Poverty is your condition as compared to other people in your proximity. An example of this could be someone who is living below the poverty line here in the U.S. is considered poor compared to most people in the country, but would be considered to have many basic needs that many don’t in other parts of the world. Moderate Poverty are those who have some resources. People living in Extreme Poverty are “living on the edge of life and death.” 2.3 billion people live on less than US$2 a day with 1.1 billion of those living on less than US$1 a day. They live very precarious lives. Famine and disease can easily wipe them out as most survive on sustenance farming. The average life expectancy in poor countries is 37 to 41 years. It is almost double this in affluent countries.
Professor Nazario illustrated the obstacles to poverty alleviation. Geographic isolation, government corruption, demonstrated lack of will, lack of natural resources, climate change, large debt and political instability. While his talk was mostly focused on the problem, he did say that education and jobs are two of the top solutions in helping pull people out of poverty.
He published a book in April called “Living on a Dollar a Day: The Lives and Faces of the World’s Poor.” “Living on a Dollar a Day shares the personal stories of some of the poorest of the poor, honoring their lives, their struggles, and encouraging action in those who can help. In making this beautiful and moving book, a team traveled to four continents, took thousands of photographs, conducted numerous interviews, and researched information on the agencies around the world that strive to help the destitute. The resulting stories and photographs offer a heartrending glimpse into the everyday realities of individuals and families facing extreme poverty.” It truly is a beautiful book, while it makes you sad, it also puts a smile on your face. While many of us talk about international development, support relief efforts and promote education programs, the stories and beautiful photographs by Renee C. Byer makes it personal.