The New Penguin English Dictionary, 2001 edition, defines the word “poverty” as: the lack of sufficient money or material possessions for a life of moderate comfort.  However, the editors note that: “economists have tended to distinguish between conditions of absolute poverty, under which living standards are low according to an objective measure of human need; or relative poverty under which living standards are low relative to the society in which they are sustained.” That means the sense of the word poverty is determined by external circumstances and therefore, very difficult to define.

As always, when dealing with such an important social issue, there is good news and bad news. So, let’s start with identifying the negatives and then we’ll progress to where you, I – all of us – can create a more positive and better world.