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Mwangi over at The Displaced African recently had a question and answer session. So I took that opportunity to ask the question “In your opinion, what is the best thing we can do to help prevent poverty in the world?”. A tough question to answer but his thoughts were very interesting.

My attempt at summarizing Mwangi’s main points:

• Support free and fair trade.
• Consume resources in a sustainable manner.
• Support the World Social Forum.
• Help people like the South African Shackdwellers.
• Improve foreign aid programs.
• Don’t try to force western ideals on other cultures.
• Let people lift themselves out of poverty where possible by removing the barriers.
• Love your neighbours.
• Take advantage of modern media .

You can read Mwangi’s answer in full on his blog. Here’s a few quotes from his answer and my thoughts on the points he raises.

We can also try to affect policy within Western countries and get rid of subsidies and tarrifs. Aid is a sick pathetic joke. Tell me the day that a compound interest loan, the humiliation of having people of another country be in charge of your destiny and shove their way of life and ideas down your throat is charity and I will show you the day that a shower curtain is the perfect fashion accesory for any season.

- Mwangi

Regarding the loans, it does seem crazy to give compound interest loans to countries that are already struggling with debt. Perhaps a better idea would be to cancel existing debt or at least allowing suspension of loan repayments until the country can get back on it’s feet. Debt cancellation obviously has to be accompanied by a plan to prevent the debt from reaccumulating.

I believe ideas and technology from other countries can be very beneficial for helping countries that have high poverty. However countries generally should not be forced or coerced into adopting new practices, especially when it comes to cultural issues.

Mwangi also raises the issue of people taking responsiblity for the collective good.

Finally, as a species we need to raise our consciousness to a place where we can actually co-exist with each other, without always trying to dominate and control one another on the one hand and with all of us taking responsibility for the individual and collective good i.e. loving ourselves and loving our neighbour just as much and not only knowing that intellectually but making decisions daily that are guided by that principle.

- Mwangi

I think that loving our neighbour is a fundamental part of reducing poverty. If people look at the world more as a whole and love all people then we will make much better progress.

People and governments are too often reluctant to help, or actually do harm because they fear losing “the competition”. I certainly struggle with this at times; on one hand I really want to support charities that I think are worthwhile while on the other hand I’m worried that I will get behind in the little race that seems to be going on in society. You know the race I’m talking about, the one where you feel as if there is a need to amass more material wealth than those around you. This is one race that isn’t worth winning, the costs are just too high.

I would like to hear your thoughts too. Please join in with the conversation by leaving a comment.

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