STWR - Share The World's Resources

Recent reports by the United Nations and the OECD highlight increasing levels of global inequality and the socio-economic impact on poor communities. Both reports draw attention to the failure of trickle down economic theory. 

The World Bank's recent estimates on global poverty, particularly in relation to China, are being challenged by an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) which monitors poverty eradication and gender equality: the 2008 Basic Capabilities Index. By Thalif Deen.

Some 220 million people are "on the edge of emergency" in 2008, almost twice as many as in 2006, says a report by CARE released ahead of next week's UN summit to measure progress toward the Millennium Development Goals. By Alison Raphael.

Between 320 and 440 million people live in chronic poverty worldwide - but need not, according to five policy measures that could help them escape the poverty trap, says the Chronic Poverty Report 2008-2009. By Mercedes Sayagues.

Global levels of inequality threaten to halt progress toward economic development and efforts to alleviate deprivation such as the Millennium Development Goals, argues a new report.

Add an extra zero to the ranks of the millionaires club. The number of people around the world with at least $1 million in assets passed 10 million for the first time last year, according to a new report. And their bank accounts are growing even faster.

Privatisation, free trade and market forces. . . the rich world insists poor states play by our rules. But they don't work. Is it time to let countries determine their own destinies, asks Duncan Green.