One in five of the world's population - two thirds of them women - live in abject poverty, in a world of growing material plenty. The new millennium offers a real opportunity to eliminate world poverty. This is the greatest moral challenge facing our generation.
It is also in the UK's national interest. Many of the problems which affect us - war and conflict, international crime and the trade in illicit drugs, and the spread of health pandemics like HIV/AIDS - are caused or exacerbated by poverty.
Globalisation creates unprecedented new opportunities and risks. If the poorest countries can be drawn into the global economy and get increasing access to modern knowledge and technology, it could lead to a rapid reduction in global poverty - as well as bringing new trade and investment opportunities for all. But if this is not done, the poorest countries will become more marginalised, and suffering and division will grow. And we will all be affected by the consequences.
In order to make globalisation work for the poor we need not just strong and vibrant private sectors, but also effective governments and strong and reformed international institutions. We need to work collectively to tackle the problems of conflict and corruption, boost investment in education and health, spread the benefits of technology and research, strengthen the international financial system, reduce barriers to trade, tackle environmental problems and make development assistance more effective.
This White Paper sets out the UK Government's policies in all these areas. It reflects our commitment to work across all parts of Government in order to help eliminate world poverty, and to cooperate with other governments and international institutions as part of a broader international effort. It is consistent with our determination to tackle poverty and social exclusion in the UK.
We will work with vigour and determination and will take these issues to the highest level. The opportunity to eliminate poverty is within our reach. If we can grasp this, we can help build a world in which mass poverty will exist only as memory - and a world that is more stable and secure for our children and grandchildren.
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Tony Blair |
December 2000 |
