Children play in an impoverished area of Piracicaba, Brazil.

Perspectives:
What People are Saying About Poverty

"People everywhere share the same dream of a caring international community that prevents war and oppression. During the past two decades, as Rosalynn and I traveled around the world for the work of our Center, my concept of human rights has grown to include not only the right to live in peace, but also to adequate health care, shelter, food, and to economic opportunity."
--former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in an acceptance statement for receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, Oct. 11, 2002

"[The United States] does indeed have an affordable housing problem of crisis proportions. That said, it is more than unfortunate that this crisis is not well known and not well understood. ...Our research indicates that all is not well."
--Robert J. Reid, executive director, National Housing Conference, May 2002

"When poverty is extreme and unending, human rights erode, natural resources deteriorate, and human dignity gives way to despair."
--Mark Malloch Brown, United Nations Development Programme administrator, Oct. 17, 2002

"On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, let us recognize that extreme poverty anywhere is a threat to human security everywhere. Let us recall that poverty is a denial of human rights. For the first time in history, in this age of unprecedented wealth and technical prowess, we have the power to save humanity from this shameful scourge. Let us summon the will to do it."
--United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Oct. 17, 2002

"Decent, affordable and accessible housing fosters self-sufficiency, brings stability to families and new vitality to distressed communities, and supports overall economic growth. Very particularly it improves life outcomes for children. In the process, it reduces a host of costly social and economic problems that place enormous strains on the nation's education, public health, social service, law enforcement, criminal justice and welfare systems. Housing very much matters--to the individual, to the family, to the neighborhood and to the nation."
--Millennial Housing Commission's report to Congress, May 30, 2002