Poverty reduction links and resources

Websites AusAID resources

Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative URL:  http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTDEBTDEPT/0,,contentMDK:20260411~menuPK:64166739~pagePK:64166689~piPK:64166646~theSitePK:469043,00.html HIPC is an initiative of the World Bank. The scheme's principal objective is to bring the debt burden of HIPC to sustainable levels, subject to satisfactory policy performance to ensure that adjustment and reform efforts are not put at risk by continued high debt and debt service burdens. Key statistics on long-term debt sustainability, development and country profiles can be downloaded from the site. Related papers by NGOs and churches on debt relief are also available. International Monetary Fund (IMF) URL:  http://www.imf.org/external/index.htm The official site for the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF is a sister institution to the World Bank in the United Nations system. It shares the same international membership and the same goal of raising living standards in its member countries. It works to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty. Contents of the site include a clear explanation of the role of the IMF, a FAQ, the Annual Report 1998, member nations, current issues on world finance and a range of interesting articles. Site relevant for Upper Secondary students studying Economics, Accounting, Politics and History. Suitable for Secondary, Teacher Reference. PovertyNet (Worldbank) URL:  http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTPOVERTY/0,,menuPK:336998~pagePK:149018~piPK:149093~theSitePK:336992,00.html PovertyNet is a World Bank web site developed to provide resources for people and organisations working to understand and alleviate poverty. It provides broad introductions to key issues, data sets and country analysis. Learning resources include poverty reduction strategies, poverty diagnostic, and the impact of macroeconomic crises and adjustment programs on poverty and inequality. Towards the Elimination of Poverty (UNDP) URL:  http://www.beta.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/ourwork/povertyreduction/overview.html United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) addresses poverty as a denial of human rights - the denial of various choices and opportunities basic to human development. The site contains a wealth of poverty related reasearch and policy papers, poverty related forums and discussion lists, a list of resources covering work on poverty, social exclusion, governance, and development, produced by the different units of UNDP or research done in collaboration with or sponsored by UNDP and more. The Resource Center provides a search and browse facility of classified poverty resources. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) URL:  http://www.beta.undp.org/undp/en/home.html UNDP's mission is to help countries in their efforts to achieve sustainable human development by assisting them to build their capacity to design and carry out development programmes in poverty eradication, employment creation and sustainable livelihoods, the empowerment of women and the protection and regeneration of the environment, giving first priority to poverty eradication. World Trade Organisation URL:  http://www.wto.org/ The World Trade Organization (WTO) is a global international organisation dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world's trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business. Youthink! URL:  http://youthink.worldbank.org/ Hosted by young people for young people, this site contains the research, knowledge and experience, gathered by World Bank experts, on issues such as poverty, development, and conflict. This part of the World Bank's website provides information on global issues, links to activities for young people in different regions, multimedia, games and quizzes, and has sections for kids and teachers. Global issues include: HIV/AIDS, Conflict, Corruption, Debt Relief, Development, Education, Employment, Environment, Globalisation and Trade.

AusAID resources Focus articles Focus, a quarterly magazine published by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), provides a variety of items about how the Australian Government's overseas aid program addresses specific global issues. You can subscribe to Focus online or order printed copies at: http://www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/pubs.cfm?Type=PubFocus

Australian Humanitarian Aid to Iraq URL:  http://www.ausaid.gov.au/hottopics/topic.cfm?Id=8614_8794_4510_8987_445 Developed by the Australian government this website documents the significant and constructive role that Australia plays in the reconstruction of Iraq. Mekong Delta Poverty Analysis: Final Report URL:  http://www.ausaid.gov.au/research/pdf/mekong_poverty_report_04.pdf The findings of this report by AusAID highlight increased differentiation within communities in the Mekong Delta and a movement to groups of poor with similar characteristics of poverty. The research found that people are more at risk of being poor in the region if they are landless or land scarce; live in rural areas; are dependent on unstable employment; are Khmer and/or female. This is a more complex social and economic situation than existed a decade ago. Poverty reduction programs need to be tailored much more specifically to the particular situation and needs of these socially and economically marginalised groups. One Clear Objective: Poverty Reduction through Sustainable Development URL:  http://www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/pdf/simons/simons.pdf The recommendations of the April 1997 Simons Report, an independent Committee which conducted a review of the Australian overseas aid program, examining how it can best contribute to lasting poverty reduction, while also serving Australia's interests. It reports on the overall priorities, objectives and focus for Australia's overseas program, and makes recommendations for renewal and reorientation. Race against global poverty URL:  http://raceagainstglobalpoverty.direct.gov.uk/ Race against global poverty is an interactive educational quiz game to help young people aged 11 to 16 develop a greater understanding of world poverty. Reducing Poverty : the Central Integrating Factor of Australia's Aid Program URL:  http://www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/pdf/povertystrategy.pdf This 2001 paper refines and articulates the linkages between Australia's aid program and poverty; it includes a definition of poverty, key strategies for reducing poverty, the importance of poverty analysis, and principles for future action. Role of Overseas Aid in Encouraging Development and Alleviating Poverty URL:  http://www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/pdf/heindorf.pdf The 1996 Heindorff Lecture by Trevor Kanaley, Director General, AusAID outlines the importance of development to the peoples of developing countries, to the strength and stability of the global political and economic system and to Australia's interests. It states that under the right conditions aid works. It provides an important catalyst to the development process and to improving the quality of people's lives in developing countries.