Global problems

Poverty

• Interviewer: Mr Delrio, do you believe we can solve the problem of world poverty?
• Delrio: I am more optimistic now than before. Millions of people have succeeded in escaping poverty in the last decade, but it is also true that in some regions, more people than ever are living below the poverty line, and we must help these people to lift them out of poverty.
• Interviewer: But how can we achieve that?
• Delrio: I accept that there is no simple solution. The widening gulf¹ between rich and poor in some countries is often due to external forces beyond their control. Some of the most deprived regions have large populations living on the margins of society, and it is for these specific groups that we can do most.
• Interviewer: But poverty is not just an issue for developing countries, is it? We have thousands sleeping rough² every night in cities like London and New York, and street children in a lot of big cities around the world.
• Delrio: I agree, and I accept that children and adults who live on the streets are in desperate need, and that these social conditions breed crime. But so much depends on the global economy. Right now, we have a golden opportunity to combat poverty. Perhaps we cannot eradicate³ poverty altogether, but we can certainly alleviate⁴ poverty, and that is our challenge.
• Interviewer: Mr Delrio, thank you very much.