[Volunteer Voices] A birthday wish for a world without poverty

By: Maha El Bchiri (Results Fellow)

October 17th, marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. It's a day that shouldn't need to exist, yet here we are. Let's face it: poverty isn't just unfunny, it's downright tragic. But you know what is darkly amusing? The fact that in 2024, we're still debating whether everyone deserves a decent meal and a roof over their head. It's like arguing whether the sky is blue or if weekends are too short. (Spoiler alert: It is, and they are.)

Now, before you think I'm some comedian moonlighting as an economist, let me hit you with some numbers that are about as funny as a root canal:

• Since 2000, global child mortality has dropped by more than 50% (UNICEF, 2021). Great news, right? Except it means we were letting way too many kids die before, and we're still not at zero.
• Over a billion children have been vaccinated through initiatives like Gavi (Gavi, 2024). That's billion with a 'b', like the number of times I've been told, "We can't afford to end poverty."
• Here's a knee-slapper: In one of the world's wealthiest nations, the richest 20% control over 67% of total wealth, while the bottom 40% hold a measly 2.5% (Statistics Canada, 2024). I'd laugh, but I'm too busy checking my couch cushions for spare change.
• And then came COVID-19, the uninvited guest that crashed our already uneven economic party and cranked up the inequality dial to eleven.

Now, I'm just a humble resident of this big, beautiful, contradiction-filled planet, but even I can see that our current approach to poverty is about as effective as using a teaspoon to empty the ocean. It's time for some real solutions, not just throwing pocket lint at a forest fire.

So, what's the solution? Well, if I had all the answers, I'd probably be sipping margaritas on a private island instead of writing this letter. But here are a few wild ideas:

1- Maybe, just maybe, we could support global health initiatives like they're the latest streaming service everyone's binging on.
2- How about we treat education, especially for girls and women in conflict zones, like it's the hottest ticket in town? Because let's face it, knowledge is power, and power is… well, powerful.
3- Here's a crazy thought: What if we designed economic policies that don't treat the planet like a disposable coffee cup? Climate change is real, and it's hitting the poor harder than a heavyweight boxer.
4- Imagine a world where we value diversity as much as we value our morning coffee. Inclusivity isn't just a buzzword, it's the secret sauce to a thriving society.
5- And here's the kicker – what if we ensured workers' rights like we guard that old receipt from our favorite childhood dish? Because decent work is the OG poverty buster.

Now, I know what you're thinking: "This sounds great, but what can I do? I'm just one person." Well, my friend, so was Gandhi, and he did alright. Start small. Support organizations fighting the good fight. Volunteer. Speak up. Vote like your life depends on it, because for some people, it does.

Remember, poverty isn't just some abstract concept or a statistic in a report. It's a daily struggle for millions of people around the world. It's the child going to bed hungry, the parent working three jobs and still not making ends meet, the elderly choosing between medicine and food. It's real, it's pervasive, and it demands our attention and action.

So, on this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (yes, that's a real thing, and no, the irony of needing a special day for it isn't lost on me), let's do more than just shake our heads and change the channel. Let's change the world instead.

Because a future without poverty isn't just a pipe dream – it's the only acceptable outcome in a world that can launch billionaires into space for fun. And that's no joke.

Sincerely,
Maha El Bchiri
A concerned resident of Earth hoping for a fairer world

P.S. If you're wondering why I chose today to write this letter, it's because birthdays have a funny way of making us reflect. As I mark another year, I'm not wishing for the usual things people wish for on their birthdays. My wish is more ambitious: a world where poverty is a thing of the past, where everyone has the dignity of economic security. Because in the end, isn't that the best gift we could give to future generations?