Part B - Activity 2 - Understanding poverty

Some people believe that environmental disasters such as floods and drought are the cause of poverty. Others say that population growth is the major cause of world poverty. Others again believe it is population density not the actual numbers or growth rates that causes people to be poor. Another view is that it is a shortage of land or not enough fertiliser means that not enough food can be grown where it is most needed and this, in turn, is the cause of poverty.

Open your workbook.

Before the new San Lang Primary School was built – teacher Huang Ruming with AusAID officer Anne Rigby and children, c.1990.Question 1

Do you think that any of the above views represents the cause of poverty in the world today? Outline the evidence that supports your view.

Question 2

Do you know of others who believe any of these views is a cause of poverty? What evidence might they use to support their view?

Question 3

Read the following transcript of a discussion about many of the myths about poverty - this particular discourse is about poverty in Asia

Rethinking poverty in Asia
  1. Does this discussion challenge any of the generalisations made about poverty
    • by you?
    • by other people?
  2. What is the effect of high population density on poverty?
  3. Do all countries with a high population density have difficulty feeding their people? Give an example.
  4. Describe the relationship between poverty and the desire to have more children.
  5. What factors might change this relationship?
  6. You may wish to have your students take on the various roles and record this script.

Question 4

Requires Internet AccessThere are many different causes of poverty around the world. The World Development Report (http://www.worldbank.org/poverty/wdrpoverty/report/index.htm) has information about causes of poverty in Chapter 2.

Describe, in your workbook, how the following conditions help cause poverty:

Requires Internet AccessThese links will provide you with further explanations for the causes of poverty. The video clips are in the Real Media format. You will need the free Real Player to view these videos. If this player is not already installed on your computer, the player is available here. Choose the "Free RealPlayer" link.

Question 5

The cycle of poverty - You will need to click and drag the statements and place them in order to create the correct cycle of poverty.

  1. What are some of the causes of poverty?
  2. Are there other causes not mentioned? Describe what they are.
  3. Why does poverty often continue as a cycle?
  4. Are any causes of poverty more problematic or more enduring then others? Explain.
  5. Suggest one major strategy to combat poverty and break the poverty cycle. Provide reasons for choosing this strategy. Share your idea with others in the course via your e-mail chat room. Would one major strategy be necessary to be effective, or would several strategies be necessary? Explain.
  6. Of the ideas shared in the chat room, which strategy/strategies would be easiest to carry out (i.e. easier to obtain access to resources).

Source: Based on Go Global page 19

Helping students understand the causes of poverty

The following activities are designed to help students come to an understanding about the causes of poverty.

Question 6

List two reasons for and two reasons against using each activity in your classroom.

Question 7

Choose one activity you think would be most useful for your class to study? Why have you chosen this activity? Describe how you might modify the activity to cater for your class.

Question 8

List the key message you would like your students to take from each of these activities.

Save and close your Workbook and then return to Part B: Poverty Reduction.