Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said on Thursday that his country’s measures to fight poverty have improved the lives of millions of Colombians.
In a presentation held at Oxford University, the Colombian president talked about how his administration’s Multidimensional Poverty Index has been Colombia’s source of inspiration for social programs and subsequently improved life of millions. The presentation was attended by delegates from 21 countries, and Nobel prize-winning economist Amartya Sen.
“This tool was used to design concrete public policies focused on significant social achievements. The index was the source of inspiration for social programs that today are improving the life of millions of Colombians,” Santos stated.
According to the president, the country has already has already seen the first improvements, “in just two years, the poverty, measured in income, fell with 4.5%, from 37.2% to 32.7%. This means that 1.7 million Colombians have left a life in poverty behind.”
Santos said that his administration’s poverty policy is oriented in five dimensions; education, employment, health and access to public services, housing, and welfare of children and youth.
Regarding Colombia’s inequality, the head of state said that Colombia is no longer the most unequal country in Latin America.
FACT SHEET: Colombia poverty and inequality statistics
“Today we are closer to the average for the region,” reassured Santos.
The Colombian President said that there was no doubt that the country owed a lot to the multidimensional poverty index, which was developed in 2010 by Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative and the United Nations Development Program.
Santos concluded his presentation by stating, “the index will help to plant growth and welfare in each country that implements it with commitment. Of that I am sure.”
The president’s talk on reducing poverty was a part of his tour to the United Kingdom and the Middle East. Hours earlier met with the British prime minister David Cameron.
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Sources
- Presidente Santos presenta modelo de reducción de pobreza ante delegados de 21 países en la Universidad de Oxford (Presidency of the republic)
- Santos reafirmó en Oxford su compromiso de reducir la pobreza (El Espectador)
- Santos presentó en Oxfor modelo de reducción de pobreza ante delegados de 21 países (Santa Fe Radio)