Current events

In an increasingly urban world, “cities are simultaneously the scenario for opportunities and inequalities,” says Jiménez Araya. To reverse this situation, he says, “the most disadvantaged sectors must first be identified using indicators disaggregated by age, sex, ethnicity, housing and family income; and second, public policies need to prioritize children as the pillars of development.”

The numbers are, in fact, staggering. “Although infant mortality has generally declined, about eight million children under the age of five (22,000 a day) still die each year – almost half in Africa, the epicentre of the problem”, notes the UOC expert.

Optimal public policies

To break the vicious circle of poverty, Jiménez Araya proposes adopting the following public policies: “primary health care that prioritizes women and children; education relevant to life, especially for girls; a decent living environment (housing, water and sanitation); and food security.”

Getting people on board

Children need to be protected because they are the generation of the future. “Local, national and international commitment must be directed towards the poor and socially excluded sectors; but, above all, target groups must be involved and their participation ensured so that they are fully included as citizens,” concludes the UNICEF advisor.

The effects of the economic crisis: 2.2 million children in poverty in Spain

The latest research reveals the existence of the “new poor”, an outcome of the economic downturn and of cutbacks in basic social services. However, as Jiménez Araya explains, “municipal welfare policies and the assistance of NGOs have mitigated the worst effects before and during the crisis.”

Spain's child poverty rate is among the highest in the EU

“The increase in spending cuts over 2010 to 2012 has aggravated the situation, as evidenced by a recent UNICEF report on the impact of the crisis in children in Spain. Child poverty affects more than 2.2 million children – 26.2% of those under the age of 18. Spain is near the top of the child poverty league in the EU countries, only behind Bulgaria and Romania”, notes Jiménez Araya.

Awareness – especially among younger people

According to recent UNICEF-promoted surveys on international cooperation, “Spanish people consider poverty and inequalities between rich and poor to be one of the most important problems worldwide” and “nearly three-quarters of Spanish people support development aid” says the UOC expert.

Furthermore, despite being disproportionately affected by high unemployment, “it is young people aged 18-24 who most want to see an increase in international aid.” In fact, “nearly a third of all respondents believed that the bulk of cooperation should go to sub-Saharan African countries, where nearly four million children under five die annually from preventable causes,” concludes Tomás Jiménez Araya.