Eradicating Extreme Poverty

Democracy, Globalization and Human Rights

Edited by Xavier Godinot

The failure of attempts to tackle global poverty have bred cynicism and ‘compassion fatigue’. Eradicating Extreme Poverty provides an urgently needed fresh approach which will re-energise action on this issue.

Rejecting traditional ‘top-down’ approaches, Xavier Godinot and his colleagues start from the experiences, capabilities and strategies of the poor themselves. They argue that the first step is a close connection with poor communities followed by a commitment to take action alongside them. Life-stories from Burkina Faso, France, Peru and the Philippines are used to show that the poor must be involved in their own liberation.

After decades of failed development policies, this book outlines a radical new approach which will enliven debate amongst policy-makers, researchers, students and academics.

Contents

Preface to the English Edition, by Xavier Godinot
Acknowledgments
Foreword, by Christopher Winship
Introduction: Insecurity, poverty and extreme poverty, by Xavier Godinot

PART ONE
Introduction: Resisting extreme poverty every day, by Xavier Godinot
Country Profiles: Burkina Faso, The Philippines, France, Peru
1: The child who walked with death (Burkina Faso), by Patricia and Claude Heyberger
2: Gold under the bridge (The Philippines), by Marilyn Ortega Gutierrez and Alasdair Wallace
3: Resist to exist (France), by Floriane Caravatta
4: Staying together through thick and thin (Peru), by Rosario Macedo de Ugarte and Marco Aurelio Ugarte Ochoa

PART TWO
Introduction: Human rights and human responsibilities, by Xavier Godinot
5: Basic ties and fundamental rightsm, by Xavier Godinot, Patricia and Claude Heyberger, Rosario Macedo de Ugarte and Marco Aurelio Ugarte Ochoa
6: Democracy, globalisation and extreme poverty, by Xavier Godinot

Conclusion: The eradication of poverty, by Xavier Godinot

About the Author

Xavier Godinot works at the headquarters of the International Movement ATD Fourth World, where he was director of its Research Institute for twelve years. He coordinates anti-poverty projects in Southern and Northen countries, with families living in rubbish dumps, under bridges and in slums. He has edited several books about poverty in the North and the South.