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LOCALThursday 5 November 2015
ECLAC Calls for Redoubling Efforts to Combat Poverty and Inequality
--A new study by the United ment, including a signifi- ing levels in some countries. America and the Carib- digence, a percentage
Nations regional organiza- cant reduction in poverty Poverty reduction has stag- bean (49.1%) does not live that rises to 11% in the case
tion highlights the impor- and a moderate decline nated since 2012 and indi- in situations of indigence, of Afro-descendants and
tance of creating produc- in inequality as a result of gence shows a slight up- poverty or vulnerability to to 18% among indigenous
tive and decent jobs, since social and labor-market ward trend. In addition, Lat- poverty. Children, wom- peoples. Similarly, while
wage income represents policies implemented in a in America and the Carib- en, young people, older 62% of the non-indigenous
80% of total household in- favorable economic sce- bean continues to be the adults, persons with disabili- and non-Afro-descendant
come on average in the nario, which enabled ob- most unequal region in the ties, indigenous peoples population was consid-
region. jectives related to social world in terms of income and Afro-descendants are ered to be not vulnerable,
inclusion to gain unprece- distribution. According to the groups that most suffer this figure falls to 56% in the
LIMA - The Economic Com- dented space on the pub- the latest estimates by the situations of discrimination, case of Afro-descendants
mission for Latin Ameri- lic agenda and in develop- regional organization for 19 scarcity, deprivation of and to just 33% among in-
ca and the Caribbean ment strategies. Latin American countries, in rights or vulnerability in the digenous peoples.
(ECLAC) calls for redou- But there is still a long path 2014 there were 167 million region, ECLAC states. In the same vein, in the
bling efforts to defeat pov- ahead, the Commission people in situations of pov- According to information region women account
erty and reduce inequality stresses, above all consid- erty (28% of the total popu- gathered in household sur- for approximately 51% of
in the current context of ering the current economic lation), of whom 71 million veys from eight Latin Ameri- the total population but
economic deceleration situation, which augurs dif- (12% of the total popula- can countries in 2011, 7% only access 38% of the to-
in the region, in its latest ficulties in terms of returning tion) were indigent. of the population that is tal monetary income that
study entitled Inclusive so- to the growth rates record- Furthermore, figures from neither indigenous nor Af- people generate and earn,
cial development: The next ed in previous years and 2013 indicate that only half ro-descendant is indigent with the remaining 62% go-
generation of policies for maintaining public spend- of the population of Latin or highly vulnerable to in- ing to men.
overcoming poverty and “Of the different aspects
reducing inequality in Latin of society that produce,
America and the Carib- exacerbate or mitigate in-
bean. equalities, the most deci-
This new document by the sive is the world of work. It is
United Nations regional or- there that most household
ganization was presented income in Latin America
officially, and analyzed by and the Caribbean is gen-
authorities and special- erated, along with the in-
ists of the region, during herent inequalities in its dis-
the Regional Conference tribution,” the organization
on Social Development in explains in the document.
Latin America and the Ca- According to calculations
ribbean, which took place by ECLAC based on data
from Monday, November from 17 Latin American
2 through Wednesday, No- countries from around 2013,
vember 4 in Lima, Peru. wage income represents
According to ECLAC, in the on average 80% of total
last decade Latin America household income; 74% of
and the Caribbean made the total income of house-
notable progress in diverse holds in situations of pov-
areas of social develop- erty; and 64% in households
in situations of indigence.q
ECLAC’s Executive Secretary Receives Award from Spain
LIMA - The Executive Sec- participated in the event. main function rewarding Caribbean under the aegis Heads of State and Gov-
retary of the Economic The ceremony took place those who contribute in a of ECLAC,” Alicia Bárcena ernment took place in 1991.
Commission for Latin Amer- in Lima, Peru, where the Re- relevant manner to favor- said during the ceremony. This summit has now been
ica and the Caribbean gional Conference on So- ing Spain’s cooperation Recalling the teachings of held a total of 24 times. The
(ECLAC), Alicia Bárcena, cial Development in Latin ties with the international Mexican intellectual Carlos Cabañas Hospice harbors
was awarded on Monday, America and the Caribbe- community. “This honor, Fuentes, the Executive Sec- one of the most known wall
November 2 with the Re- an is being held this week. although it bears my name, retary said that “via Spain paintings of the renowned
cipient of the Order of Isa- The Real Order of Isabella recognizes the role of the the Americas received the Mexican painter José Cle-
bella the Catholic, granted the Catholic was created hundreds of men and wom- Mediterranean tradition mente Orozco, “The Fire
by King Felipe VI of Spain, in 1815 by King Ferdinand en who work each day for with all its strength. Because Man”, which fuses the
during a ceremony held at VII of Spain and its cur- development with equality Spain is not only Christian, Mediterranean and Indo-
the residence of the Span- rent rules establish as its in Latin America and the it is also Arab and Jewish, american men in just one
ish Ambassador to Peru, Er- Greek, Carthaginian and single image.
nesto de Zulueta Habsbur- Roman, Gothic and Gypsy. Secretary of State Jesús
go-Lorena. Spain embraces us all; it is, Gracia said that Bárcena’s
The distinction was award- in a certain way, our com- recognition responds to the
ed to Bárcena by the Sec- mon place.” sustained work that ECLAC
retary of State for Interna- As a symbol of this cultural and Spain have been de-
tional Cooperation and syncretism, Bárcena also veloping in recent years
for Ibero-America, Jesús remembered the Cabañas through various coop-
Gracia. The Director Gen- Hospice, one of the most eration programs, an en-
eral for Ibero-America of distinctive constructions in deavor that has been fun-
Spain’s Ministry of Foreign the Mexican city of Gua- damental to “knitting the
Affairs and Cooperation, dalajara, where the first relationship between Spain
Pablo Gómez Olea, also Ibero-American Summit of and America.” q
