How do we get people out of poverty?
I was recently asked: "What is the government's big mistake?"
"Not tapping into the skills, talents and abilities that often lie just below the surface of people’s need", was my reply.
That most programmes for replenishing the poor don't see people, but see problems.
That governments don't involve patients in the cure. They see them as recipients, as receptacles of help. And not as active players in their own redemption.
How do we get people out of poverty? Out of need?
How do we prevent poverty happening in the first instance?
Isn't there something to turning government into an engine for spreading out fortune so that it hits every part of society?
There's big work to be done in the world.
But the first problem is getting the movers and shakers to realise that only a revolution in government delivery across all sectors will solve poverty.
NED - Sustainability Professional - Chair Scottish Power Foundation - former Chair ICRS
7 年Business working in partnership with NGOs and charities can help to alleviate poverty (e.g. fuel poverty, debt management) through the services they provide and community investment. But they need to understand the needs of the poor, the complexities that lead people into poverty and to engender trust.
Engagement & Programme Management | Anthropist | Trustee | NPPV3 (National) & Security Cleared (SC)
7 年"...being in employment does not guarantee poverty reduction: since 2011 more than half of the people in poverty in the UK live in a family where someone is in work..." This seems a particularly damming comment on a society where someone working is still within poverty. I do feel that governments in themselves can't actually solve anything, the political system is too short termist in its view and therefore will always be contrived in strategy. However I do certainly believe government can, and should, create the conditions and frameworks that the private sector can then use to develop solutions that resolve a particular issue. An immediate thought I have regarding the poverty trap, I can't help but think the apprenticeship levy could do more to help here, I know of a couple of providers that are actively targeting the 'no qualifications / disadvantaged background' sectors of society; why can we not extend this out to the homeless and poverty stricken? (and yes you're right, perhaps I should ask them ;)) https://theconversation.com/to-get-people-out-of-poverty-the-right-sectors-need-help-hiring-63226
NED - Sustainability Professional - Chair Scottish Power Foundation - former Chair ICRS
7 年We need business leaders who have a better understanding of the complexities of poverty by meeting those living in poverty, a greater focus on people not products and a cross sector approach.
Anthropy Chairman: The UK's largest leadership gathering focused on the Future of Britain and its role in the world: Past EMEA Managing Partner of Omnicom's 100 Agency Group: See: www's .Anthropy.uk & .johnobrien.world
7 年I also believe the private sector has a role to play in everything from their employee welfare, provision of childcare, salary levels and conditions of work through to sourcing from smaller enterprises, social enterprises and charities and becoming much more aligned around a business purpose which helps people in a particular way rather than simply concentrate on shareholder return. All sectors united in common purpose to build a fairer, more resilient and cohesive society is the most urgent of challenges we face.
SIGNAL - Building Agency for Individual and Community Transformation
7 年Spot on John