Don't marginalise the poor

By Mary Robinson | Thu, 02 Apr 2009 - 17:08

Mary Robinson

Oxfam International

Honorary President of Oxfam International

I am worried about what the outcome of this G20 Summit will be for poor
developing countries. I understand from experience how these kind of
discussions are held and the pressures that are exerted. But I do get the
strong sense today that the G20’s focus is much closer to home – that this
meeting is about reforms through stronger regulation and stimulus packages all designed to move the richer and more powerful countries out of financial crisis.

I have just returned from Liberia, the DRC, Rwanda and Kenya where I have been with poor people who are living on the very edge of survival.

They are truly desperate. They are still suffering from the crippling effects of
inflated food and energy prices, and from worsening climate change, and now they’re being hit by a financial crisis that their governments played no
part in causing. The financial crisis is hurting rich countries – but it is truly catastrophic for the poor.

Can I remind about Article 28 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It’s very short. “Everyone is entitled to a social and international order
in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully
realized.” Today, I see our “social and international order” unraveling.
There have been food riots. There will be others. The financial crisis is
having a profound de-stablising effect. I believe that the security concern
is an extremely strong one.

The developing world needs its own stimulus package to help ensure better
global security and to meet finally the millennium development goals
particularly to halve poverty and achieve people’s rights to health and
education. The amount of money needed to do this is minimal compared to the
vast bail-outs of the banks; one of the biggest lessons we have learnt in
the past 12 months is that huge resources can certainly be mobilized if
there’s a will to do so.

This afternoon we should look to the G20 for specific numbers to help poor
and developing countries. We should be wary of rhetoric only. More money to the IMF and World Bank is welcome but alone will not be sufficient. The G20 must put poor countries at the centre of its agreement, not in the margins.

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Comments

Don't marginalise the poor by Mary Robinson

Submitted on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 - 21:34.

Mary Robinson has got it absolutly right. The richest nations cannot continue to behave the way they have been doing. The G20 Governments must listen to the cry of the poor. In the words of Archbishop Romero he was assassinated by a right-wing group in El Salvador for speaking out on behalf of the poor. They (G20 goverments) are workers not master builders,
ministers not messiahs, prophets of a future not their own.

Would They Take My SEMFO Global Plan

Submitted on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 - 07:15.

Honorable Madam,

Your above blog posting has really reflected the gournd reality which is being ignored in he wake of recent global recession. Madam, as far as the gap and problems of poor and rich nations is concerned I have recently announced and offered my SEMFO Global Plan (http://www.saeedabasi.blogspot.com) to provide a new strong global socio-economic system. I bet that through my proposed SEMFO Global Plan there is possible to carry out a recession free system in both rich and poor countries.

I ask you and the G-20 organization that Would they take my SEMFO Global Plan in this connection.

One of the clearest lessons

Submitted on Fri, 21 May 2010 - 06:58.

One of the clearest lessons of the last few decades is that capitalism is indestructible. Marx compared it to a vampire, and one of the salient points of cdl comparison now appears to be that ccp always rise up again after being stabbed to death. Even Mao’s attempt, in the Cultural Revolution, to wipe out the traces of capitalism, ended up in its triumphant return cbest. Today’s Left reacts in a wide variety of ways to the hegemony of global capitalism and its political supplement, liberal democracy. It might, for example, accept the hegemony cen, but continue to fight for reform within its rules (this is Third Way social democracy).

Honorable Madam, Your entry

Submitted on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 - 09:27.

Honorable Madam,

Your entry is on the spot. Thank you for this lucid reflection. It raises many questions. Since the WB and the IMF will be at the driver seat again, how will the money be disbursed? under which conditions poor countries and their population will be supported? what will be the conditionalities? The first and second generation of structural reform funds have proven to be catastrofic to many countries. Will it be different this time?

How can you marginalize those excluded.

Submitted on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 - 21:39.

How can those that are excluded from many things be marginalized? I always thoought that marginalisation was a form of exclusion. I've been marginalised myself because of -no I'm not having a pity party. Maybe athere should be a marginalised anonymous. Realy it is a beautiful idea but how? I do a lot for disadvantaged people, I'm not rolling in wealth, but have a word with the footballers who spend an enourmous amount of money on gambling and womanising and having their lives run for them by other people. What about people who run charities being paid large salaries? No offence intended but a lot of people go round with c ololecting buckets and they believe the money goes to look after starving people when it keeps shop managers in a good wage (I bet they aren't marginalised) A voluntary organisation should be run by volunteers on subsisrtance wages. Then you would know why the poor are marginalised.

I totally agree...

Submitted on Sat, 04 Apr 2009 - 07:38.

I totally agree with Mary. Conditions are really worse especially in the countries which under went a decade civil war. I am a citizen of Nepal and currently the socio-economic, political and environmental issues such as glacier melting from the Himalayas has been a deadlock for the prosperity of my country. If the G20 doesnot address such issues and come up with the suitable programs, then it is most likely that the human civilization will surely enter the darkest and the most embarrasing stage. May be we won't be able to head our held high in front of our upcoming generations? Thus, G20 should take all these issues seriously and initiate for partnership programs with the poor developing nations to meet MDGs rather than just investing on unfruitful wars.

Also, I request all viewers

Submitted on Sat, 04 Apr 2009 - 07:43.

Also, I request all viewers to follow up the latest ups and downs of Nepal socio-political scenario. You can get much info by googling it.
Regards
Kamal Prajapati
kamal_prajapati@hotmail.com
Currently:USA

Very useful website, wants to

Submitted on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 - 10:12.

Very useful website, wants to see much more on it! Go on!

Compliments and Questions

Submitted on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 - 17:43.

This is a good article that really puts the situation in perspective. And, although I agree that these poorer nations should be a high priority, especially in these trying times, I can't help but be left with some questions. For instance, how much is given to third world countries, and what have these poor nations done with the money they've received throughout the years? I'm all in favor of these countries getting aid, but it seems that nothing ever changes for the better. What is going on?