proportion ofthetotalpopulation. Inmostcountries implementing structural adjustment programmes, theincidence ofpoverty hasrisen. 20.Wheregrowthhasbeensustained andrapid,ashasbeenthecaseinmany countries inAsiaandafewelsewhere, thepotential forpoverty alleviation has beenincreased. Poverty hasdeclined, bothinabsolute andrelative terms. 21.Poverty allevi~tion should notbeviewedasamatterofcharity. Thepoor shouldheseenashavingthepotential tobecomehighlyproductive; investing in POvertyalleviation should beseenashaving apotentially highrateofreturn. 22.Governmental programmes asawhole_thesystemoftaxation, theincidence of Subsidies andtaxincentives, theimpactofregulations, theburdenofthe hinflation tax"_haveinmanycountries beenbiasedagainst thepoor. 23.AfewCQuntries withlowpercapita income andmodestgrowthrateshave ~anaged todesign andimplement policies whichhavebeenhighlysuccessful inlmpr.OVlngthelotofthepoor. -3-2.CQnclusiQns fQrpolicy " f theeradicatiQn Qfpoverty issustained political24Theprimary requ1rement or ,• hl't'Icommitment whatisneededismoreant1-povertyCQmmitment. G1ventatpo11ca , , .tsbutadevelopment strategy centred ontheeliminat1Qn ofpoverty, prOJec . tfomen'ssocial, eCQnomic, cultural andlegalincluding ageneral 1mprovemen 0w'l' h 11.ddevelopment strategy should a1matacceerating growt status. Awe-CQnCe1Ve andeliminating poverty simultaneously. 25.Indesigning astrategy forpoverty alleviation, ~07~~Y m:::r~o~h:~yld examine thenetimpactofthemUltiplicity ofgQvernmental activi7es " ft"'t'sthathappentohaveananti-poverty labelattached particular subset 0aciV11e " toit.Theyshouldexamine inparticular theeffectof~hesumtotalofthe1r activities ontheincomes ofthepQor-womenandmenalike. 26.Awell-conceived strategy shouldinclude abr~adandconsistent setof measures, including mostofthoseindicated below1nsummary formandexpanded upon inchapter IV: (a)Redistribution ofland; (b)Greater provision ofagricultural services andruralinfrastructure; (c)Greater investment inthedevelopment ofhumanresources; (d)Removal ofbiasagainst thepoorinexpenditures oninfrastructure; (e)Social andlegalreforms toenhance thefullparticipation ofwomenin economic andsQcialinstitutions; (f)Removal ofunnecessary constraints onurbanindustry, especially small-scale enterprises, ensuring thatpricesofcredit andQtherinputsreflect realscarcities; (g)Familyplanning programmes andprovisiQn ofbirthcontrol facilities; (h)Greater democracy andparticipation ofthepoorinlocalelectoral pQlitics andinthecreation ofQrganizations thatsupport theircause. 27.Themajorresponsibility foreradicating poverty necessarily restswiththe developing countries themselves. butinternational cQ-Qperation canprQvide effective support totheirefforts. Themostobvious waythiscanbedQneisby creating aglQbalenvironment conducive tQaccelerated andsustained growth. Perhaps themosteffective areaQfinternational co-operatiQn isinternational trade. ThedevelQping countries needexpanding markets fortheirexports inthe developed countries inQrdertoincrease emplQyment andraisetheproductivity Qf labourinbothruralandurbanareas. Equally important fQrmanycQuntries is greater progress towards solving theinternational debtproblem. Additional bilateral Qfficial development assistance (ODA),morefQcused onpQverty alleviation, canalsocQntribute. 28.TheInternatiQnal Monetary Fund(IMF),WorldBankandregional bankscan contribute thrQugh theirfinancial andlending pQlicies tofastergrowth andby setting conditiQns forlending whichtakeintoaCCQunt theimpact onpQverty Qfthe prQgrammes whichtheirlending ismeanttosupport. -4-Theworkofthemanyspecialized agencies isanother areawheremoreeffective 29. . .thd'.f .. trnational co-operat~on ~neera~cat~on 0poverty should beposs~ble. 10e .d Nt' . f • • •eraloftheUnIte alonsagencIes nowocusqUIteexpllcltly onpoverty Sev •f' t . th'l' .reduction. AmaJorarea 0ImporancelSecnlca ass~stance, partlcularly the
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses economic issues, such as poverty, economic growth, and development, which are closely related to economic development and international trade. The text also touches on education, employment, and humanitarian aid, but these topics are secondary to the main focus on economic issues.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade