Still from the film Solar Mamas
Non-profit organisation Steps International has created the Why Poverty? initiative as a groundbreaking cross-media project to help audiences across the world understand what they can do about poverty.
The project creates an international partnership with broadcasters such as the BBC, NGOs, institutions such as The Open University and concerned citizens around the world.
Find out more about the series by visiting the BBC pages, and get information on the project by visiting the Why Poverty? website. You can also find out more about the Living with Poverty series which focuses on UK poverty.
A big aim of the project is to produce narratives that inspire people to think and be part of the solution. Can you be one of those people? First watch the fascinating documentaries on the Why Poverty website or YouTube site, then follow the steps below to start making a difference.
- Step 1: Watch our specially-produced video guides which provide a lens on the stories behind the statistics, allowing you to easily navigate the data for yourself
- Step 2: Read our related articles below to further enhance your knowledge, then find out about a project that The Open University is involved with: the Poverty and Social Exclusion in the United Kingdom research project
- Step 3: Take your learning further with a free course like Living in a globalised world
- Step 4: Find out what's involved with studying the International development: making sense of a changing world course with The Open University
- Step 5: Discuss the topics highlighted in these films and articles using our Comments facility
- Step 6: Spread the word and join the debate by following the #whypoverty hashtag on Twitter Twitter, Facebook and Google+
Step 1: Explore the data
Why Poverty: Four Born Every Second Featuring:
Use data to explore the factors affecting life expectancy and delve into the hidden stories behind the figures Watch now: Why Poverty: Four Born Every Second
Why Poverty: Solar Mamas Featuring:
Interrogate gender inequality by looking at the stories behind the figures in this video Watch now: Why Poverty: Solar Mamas
Why Poverty: The Great Land Rush Featuring:
Get insights into different approaches to food security and land rights in Africa and other nations in this video Watch now: Why Poverty: The Great Land Rush
Why Poverty: China's Ant People Featuring:
In this video, discover the surprising figures and stories of education in China following its burst in economic... Watch now: Why Poverty: China's Ant People
Why Poverty: Poor Us Featuring:
Do we know what poverty is and what's been achieved so far in our attempts to end it? Delve into the stats to find out Watch now: Why Poverty: Poor Us
Step 2: Useful articles
Why Poverty: Give Us the Money
Read these articles to get an insight into the trend of celebrities campaigning against poverty Read more: Why Poverty: Give Us the Money
Why Poverty: Stealing Africa
We show you how to use the UN Development Programme’s explorer tool to see how Africa is the poorest continent on... Read more: Why Poverty: Stealing Africa
Why Poverty: Park Avenue
Find out more about the trend of rising inequality in the UK with these useful articles Read more: Why Poverty: Park Avenue
Reith 2007: Bursting at the Seams - Poverty in the Midst of Plenty
Raphael Kaplinsky responds to the 2007 Reith lecture by Jeffery Sachs on 'Poverty in the Midst of Plenty' Read more: Reith 2007: Bursting at the Seams - Poverty in the Midst of Plenty
OU Lecture 2008: China's miracle Featuring:
Rapid expansion in production, coupled with a massive population, is changing the rules, says Professor Kaplinsky in... Watch now: OU Lecture 2008: China's miracle
Patterns of disease - looking at the evidence
Course extract from Preparing For Development - Patterns of Disease - Looking at the Evidence Read more: Patterns of disease - looking at the evidence
Uganda and the World Bank
Trushna P. Patel concludes an investigation into the World Bank by looking closely at how the body influenced Uganda... Read more: Uganda and the World Bank
Creative Climate
Join thousands of diarists in charting people's responses to environmental change. Read more: Creative Climate
Feeding on empty
The shortage of food in some parts of the world is acute – Richard Skellington asks what can be done? Read more: Feeding on empty
Step 3: Free learning
Living in a globalised world
Try this free OpenLearn unit which will give you an insight into just how equal the globalised world is Read more: Living in a globalised world
Step 4: Study with The Open University
International development: making sense of a changing world
An interdisciplinary module including key areas such as different models of development, power in the international... Visit prospectus for International development: making sense of a changing world
