Make Poverty History: Reform the Monetary System

“Poverty is not a lifestyle choice” said Democrat Leader, Stephnie de Ruyter at a Christchurch meeting today.

“Whether it is the relative poverty of our country’s poor, or the abject poverty of Africa’s people that concerns us, we need to remember that poverty is a direct result of a fundamentally flawed, out-dated financial system which initiates then perpetuates the poverty cycle and excludes entire populations from access to basic human requirements such as clean water, food and shelter.

“Given the choice, parents around the world choose to feed, clothe and house their children, to educate them and to keep them in good health. They do not choose to live in poverty, thus denying their children of long and happy lives. Poverty is not now, never has been and never will be a lifestyle choice.”

Ms de Ruyter said that the G8 leaders would fail to develop a sustainable plan to lift the African nations out of poverty.

“The G8 leaders may well decide where to stick a few band aids, but the cure for this disease is monetary reform.

“There is an urgent need to change the financial infrastructure at a global level. A system which depends on the creation of interest bearing debt as the foundation of economic activity only serves to generate expansive wealth for the owners and operators of the debt mechanism.

“Those who benefit most from the current system use the wealth and power which they have accumulated to ensure they retain their advantage, at the expense of all other considerations.”

Ms de Ruyter said that the G8 nations needed to look beyond greed and accept their role as leaders in the fight against poverty.

“They have the power to change lives, to make poverty history: it’s time they used it” Ms de Ruyter said.

ENDS

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