Post your thoughts on tackling poverty and helping families in the developing world

[carriemumsnet]

Hi all

We've been asked by International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander for our ideas and comments on tackling global poverty.

Here's his statement where he outlines some of the issues and what's currently being done and what's planned. If you can post your questions/comments/suggestions here, the plan is that he will check back in the next couple of weeks and answer some of the questions/comment on the suggestions.

Over to you Douglas Alexander....

star - they were listening!

police men too rhubarb. and as for police women - don;t even go there - I had a horrible experience not so long ago where I became convinced an intruder was in the house. I called the police. I was "rescued". by 3 women carrying torches and batons who were, on average, about 10 years younger than me. blimey did I feel a prat

I think I'll sign ds up for Popehood early then!

"Creams, ointments, sticking plasters..."

An unusually honest summary of government policy. This country, committed to a National Health Service at home, should argue against the privatisation of healthcare (and water, and education etc) in the developing world instead of pushing G.A.T.S. and T.R.I.P.S. policies with one hand while applying sticking-plaster with the other.

( Husband of "ByTheSea")

I fear we are getting to the nub of the problem, or at least one of the nubs . The UK is signatory to all kinds of treaties and conventions that tie its hands comprehensively WRT development policy. I think the privatisation of healthcare, santitation and so in the developing world is an absolute abomination, but unless the UK extricates itself from the WTO and so on (which ain't gonna happen under Gordon Brown), I suspect any Secretary of International Development is going to have his/her hands firmly tied. Let's face it - even Clare Short couldn't get much done.

Another thought - we're not meeting the UNDP's target of 0.7 per cent on development aid yet, are we? That's something this government could do without having to ask the permission of the US.

Education, for girls in particular.
Roads, good ones, everywhere. Not only so that aid can get in, but so that people can travel between villages / towns, get to the nearest school, health centre or whatever efficiently.
Microcredit and loans for small businesses, and so that wells can be dug. Any way possible to give people control over their own lives.
I really liked the idea above about twinning rich countries with less developed ones. Perhaps every school in the UK could be twinned with one elsewhere? Our local scout troop is twinned with one in Malawi, and has raised about £4000 in the last few years on top of their own fundraising needs to keep the group going. That's from a rural village with a population of 2000, in a not-particularly-well-off area.

Give more visas, for people from developing countries to come and work in Europe. They will send the money where it's most needed.

Or how about sponsoring colleges and universities in the countries themselves, to train the professionals they need?

(I am as cynical as others re the movtives behind this thread, but cant resist giving my opinion anyway)

I am an academic in the field of Development. It's good to hear about a focus on poverty, health and healthcare systems. Lack of access to decent and affordable healthcare plays a major role in the generation of poverty, as I'm sure you are aware. I'm also sure you know, as so many have pointed out here already, that empowering women is vital not only for better health, but also for tackling poverty.

However, I also agree strongly with posters who point out that getting serious about tackling poverty means creating a level playing field in international trade. Tariff barriers against exports from poor countries make it difficult for poor people to help themselves. Let's hope that you include your colleague Peter Mandelson, the EU Trade Commissioner, in your discussions about tackling poverty at the global level.

Others have written about the problem of corruption. The 'good governance' agenda is commendable, but the BAE debacle means that your Department now has an uphill struggle to be taken seriously on this issue. Perhaps you need to talk to your colleague David Miliband about how to reconcile Britain's security interests with its commitment to good governance in developing countries. It would be interesting to overhear the conversation.

I welcome your initiative - the more consultation with the public, the better. However, I wonder quite what you are hoping to achieve. I hope this consultation is not at the expense of discussion with practitioners and academics in the field of Development. There are plenty of very knowledgeable professionals working in the field of healthcare, reproductive health and poverty who would be only too glad to share their expertise with you.

agree with Rhubarb and others. BTW Rhuby, email me again - I went on holiday and your email has got lost in a welter of offers from young women who want to show me their naked holiday snaps

Give tax relief to companies and people investing their profits directly into health care & educational needs; ie. Microsoft,Tesco,Wooly's, Joe Blog's etc., funding schools, hospitals in areas of dire poverty, deserve tax relief proportionate to their giving.

I don't really have any suggestions or solutions to the 'big' issues, but through being involved in charities such as Send a Cow and The Mango Tree Foundation I'm aware that even a very small effort here (be it fundraising, or sending old school text books out to schools in Kenya & Tanzania), can have a massive impact on individuals and a trickle down effect on their families and communities.

With Charities such as Send a Cow the ethos is very much about empowering and equiping people with education and resources so that they can independently farm, set up orchards, trade with neighbours, set up businesses etc.

As I previously worked for the NHS (and my DH still does) I'm aware of the massive resource the NHS and teaching Universities have in this country. A resource that I'm sure with the right connections, communications and Govt. backing could be put to good use with information, up to date research, case histories, successful public health initiatives shared easily with our collegues in 3rd world countries.

How about a National twinning system where each Hospital, University, Medical School, Nursing School, (even down to GP surgeries) etc was twinned with a similar establishment abroad. There could be local and focused fundraising at this level, but more importantly a system where knowledge is encouraged to be shared.

So where's Dougie boy gone? Have we frightened him?

Hi there Rhubarb

The plan is that he'll be back in the next couple of weeks - give folks time to gather their thoughts and post them.

Agree with so many, ie policywonk, rhubabb, yaddayah aloha and hatwoman (lol re the rescue!!) Why are they asking us?

(but since you do...)

Sort out that trade tariff stuff
Peace

By all accounts educating the women is key
But it wont happen without population control

Don't forget climate change/global warming (again maybe an even bigger problem looming)

I firmly believe we need to pay the true cost of the stuff we use/consume/eat so the true cost of a cheap plastic toy has to include carbon neutralling the transport used to get it here and cleaning up the planet when we chuck it in the bin to buy next years must have plastic toy you get my point I think

can someone else please post on here. I don't want to finish it off Rhubarb where are you?

The launch last Wednesday was extremely positive. I?ve read your comments and your insights are helpful.

I will consult within my Department and post a more in-depth response by next Friday.

Many thanks for posting your comments on this vital subject ? and I look forward to hearing from many more of you.

Hi there DouglasAlexander and thanks for getting back to us - we look forward to your in-depth response. Meantime Mumsnetters - anyone else got anything else they'd like to add?

Cop Out!

Oh and Carrie, could you pleasy weasy put my pixie thread on homepage?

Don't think he has any. But he's definitely a "new man"!

Oh, the whole kids scenario will be contracted out, obviously.

Will he adopt third world children do you think?

Oh dear, I'll bet Carrie doesn't put my pixie thread onto the home page now, bummer!