Short courses for Permanent Missions in Geneva
Organized by the Division on Technology and Logistics, Technology, Innovation and Knowledge Development Branch
Policy Capacity Building Section / P166 Courses
Understanding poverty in developing countries: trends, drivers and policy options
Palais des Nations, Geneva (Room XII)
Thursday, 26 March 2026 (10:00 to 13:00)

Poverty remains one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Ending poverty in all its forms, everywhere, is the first Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 1), reflecting the central role of poverty eradication in achieving the broader 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Progress on poverty reduction is foundational to advancing other SDGs and to ensuring dignity, rights, and shared prosperity for all.

Given the continued importance of this issue for Member States, and the urgency of accelerating poverty eradication as the world approaches 2030, there is a critical need to deepen understanding of the underlying causes of poverty, as well as the policies and tools required to address them effectively.

Against this background, the course will cover the following topics:

  • Concepts and measurement of poverty
  • Regional trends in poverty
  • Socioeconomic attributes of people living in poverty
  • Key drivers and structural determinants of poverty
  • Linkages between poverty, inequality, and economic growth
  • Policies and tools for poverty reduction, illustrated through selected case studies
Last modified: Friday, 24 April 2026, 4:04 PM