Social Justice and the World of Globalization – Vincentian Experience in the Region of Consisting of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (Group 2 Asia – SSVP)
This Region is one of the most densely populated areas in the world having a combined population of approximately 1.3 billion people. Economically the poorest region in the world with more than 40% living below the poverty line. Poverty causing illness and illness causing Poverty is the circle of living. The Christian population is around 3% with half of them being Roman Catholics. That’s why Vincentian Conferences are working to the best of their ability.
Globalization – Regional Perception:
It is a ‘SYSTEM’ where the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. This perception arises largely because of the level of Literacy and illiterate in the Region. It is accepted as the integration of the Global Economy through Product and Factor Markets, by way of Trade, Direct Investment and Financial flows, greatly aided by Deregulations of Markets and the Liberalization of Trade & Capital movement. It is said that ‘Globalization’ is not a choice, but a reality. The marginalized countries are being washed away because of the poverty of education, health standard, food and access to information. These are the major negative aspects of the mentioned ‘system’.
Projects:
Vincentians of the Region have several projects. Some of them are: fish/vegetable vending, machine/bicycle distribution, computer training/tailoring center, water supply, housing, education etc. In the past many rich countries and organizations agreed to remove Poverty & Misery. Broken promises.
What Can We Do:
When God took his chosen people to the Promised Land, He provided them with Manna from Heaven to meet their DAILY NEEDS. Not trusting God some tried to hoard it and over night it began to stink. The purpose of Life is not just acquisition of wealth but for the development of the world for the good of all its inhabitants including future generations. Let us resolve to work for the well being of people by increasing the levels of health, nutrition and education, giving them the opportunity to earn a fare reward for their labors and ‘allowing them to participate in decisions that affect their lives’.
Vincentian Response:
The Region suffers from the poverty of Clean Drinking Water, Insanitation, Housing, Illiteracy and Environment. The Governments’ budgeting is insufficient. The Vincentian of the Region have selected ‘EDUCATION’ as the top priority and are tackling it with limited resources. Education is not universal in the region and this should be the first step to be achieved. We need to have a massive program for educating the illiterate and this should have surfaced at the recently concluded Johannesburg Meeting where a deadline should have been set to eradicate illiteracy within a given period.
Source: The President of the National Council of Pakistan, Valentine Gonzalves (Coordinator of Group 2 Asia SSVP) – 2002
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Tags: Poverty Analysis
