Term Project Presentations
Another good presentation was the honors presentation of goal 1, eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. Again, the country of focus was Somalia, which tells you just how much help this country needs. This country has a big problem with poverty and hunger for a number of reasons. Lack of a stable government is a big reason, but also conflict over territory, and limited natural resources.
Like many other African countries, a stable government is hard to find. Over time, we've caught wind of government coups and changes of power in many African nations. This has negatively impacted Somalias citizens because the government can't focus on providing for its citizens. Hunger and poverty aren't important issues for the government. Conflict over territory has also had a negative impact because war can destroy vital farmland draw the attention away from hunger and poverty. Lack of natural resources and climate are other reasons hunger and poverty is rampant in Somalia. They have nothing like diamonds or coal that they can extract for profit, and the harsh climate doesn't facilitate farming very well.
The presenters proposed a number of initiatives that include improving governmental stability with more community involvement, reverse rural degeneration, reduce aid dependence, and create new methods of income generation. I think these changes would make a big difference in poverty and hunger. With a more solid government, they can devote more time and money into taking care of the problem, and reversing rural degeneration would give more people jobs as farmers. If the UN uses these tactics in their goal of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, they are on the right track.
