May 26, 2021
12–1 p.m. CT via Zoom
The economic fallout from the global COVID-19 pandemic could increase global poverty by half a billion people, or 8% of the total human population, according to research published by the UNU World Institute for Development Economics Research. More than 700 million people or 10% of the world’s population live in extreme poverty today, with limited access to basic needs like health, education, water, and sanitation. Poverty is a key social determinant of health. Living in poverty can cause emotional and social challenges, acute and chronic stress, as well as health and safety issues. Poverty and health are irrevocably intertwined and in Minnesota, people living in poverty have a greater risk for health challenges like childhood lead poisoning, cardiovascular disease, and hospitalizations. Although Minnesota has a lower proportion of people living in poverty than the U.S. average, it still affects about 1 in 10 Minnesotans and 1 in 9 children. About 8% of Minnesota’s population, representing more than 434,000 people, lives in more remote rural areas where the poverty rate is higher than in urban areas.
In this 8th webinar of a series on issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals, a panel of scholars and practitioners will discuss how poverty plays an important role in the economic development of communities and the complete well-being of a person. Panelists will offer examples and insights on where progress is being made and where more work is needed. Comments and discussion will focus on these SDG’s targets.
Panelists:
- Mary Holz-Clause - Chancellor, University of Minnesota Crookston
- Amanda Lyons - Executive Director of the Human Rights Center, University of Minnesota Law School
- Ragui Assaad - Professor, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
Moderators:
- Karen Brown, PhD, Co-Lead UMN Sustainable Development Goals Initiative, University of Minnesota
- Katey Pelican, DVM, PhD, Co-Lead UMN Sustainable Development Goals Initiative, University of Minnesota
This webinar is hosted by the University of Minnesota Sustainable Development Goal Initiative in partnership with the Office for Public Engagement.