Agampreet Singh

Ms. Chawkat

IR GT

December 8, 2023,

5th Annotated Bibliography

Lee, Yearn and Kind, Martjin. (2021, May 20). United Nations.
https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/2021/05/reducing-poverty/

This paper from the United Nations talks about key messages. It discusses the
challenge of reducing poverty and inequality in rural areas, emphasizing its importance for
inclusive development. The brief highlights that extreme poverty is predominantly a rural
phenomenon, with a significant portion of those living below the international poverty line
residing in rural areas. Despite progress in reducing rural poverty over the past decades,
this has not been equitable, and poverty is on the rise again, especially due to the
COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic has particularly impacted rural areas, disrupting
livelihoods and exacerbating existing inequalities. The brief identifies that poverty is
primarily a rural challenge, with rural areas lagging in access to public services,
infrastructure, and social protection. It notes that poverty reduction in rural areas has been
faster than in urban areas, but reaching the poorest remains a challenge. The brief also
acknowledges that while rural poverty rates are higher, income inequality is often lower in
rural areas compared to urban ones. However, gaps in access to basic services and
opportunities between rural and urban areas persist. Key policy recommendations include
investing in infrastructure and public services, promoting inclusive agricultural
development, ensuring fair distribution and secure access to land and resources, improving
social protection coverage in rural areas, and ending discrimination. These policies aim to
create a more equitable and inclusive rural development, contributing to overall economic
growth while reducing both poverty and inequality in rural areas. The brief asserts that
reductions in rural poverty have not always led to reductions in inequalities, and stresses
that equitable rural development requires a mix of economic and social policies, both at the
local and federal government levels.

The authors Yern Fai Lee and Martijn Kind are qualified to discuss reducing poverty and
inequality in rural areas because their credentials (or experience) include their positions at the
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) in the Division for
Inclusive Social Development. Their contact information is included in the article. Written on
May 21, 2021, this source is current on the topic of reducing poverty and inequality in rural
areas. It addresses recent global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on
rural poverty and inequality. The source is timely and relevant, providing insights into current
trends and policy implications for rural development. The authors of this article thoroughly
evaluated all sides of the issue. For example, they acknowledge that while rural development and
urbanization have been successful in reducing poverty, these same forces can also increase
inequalities. They address this opposing viewpoint by illustrating how economic growth in rural
areas, when not managed correctly, can lead to increased disparities within these communities
and between urban and rural areas. This inclusion shows that the article’s authors acknowledge
alternative viewpoints by presenting a great understanding of rural development. The
information contained in the source can be verified elsewhere. For example, the authors talk
about how investments in infrastructure and public service policies matter which can be
corroborated by the World Bank in their publication "Investing in Public Transit Systems Can
Empower Workers and Transform Urban Economies, New Research Shows." This publication
provides extensive data and analysis on global poverty, supporting the claim that poverty is
predominantly a rural issue, particularly in developing countries. This article offers in-depth
analysis and data on how public transit investments in urban areas can lead to broader economic
benefits and improved labor market conditions. The purpose of this article is to look into how
poverty and inequality change over time and how they affect each other in rural areas, and to
suggest policies that will help these areas grow in a way that benefits everyone. The audience is
primarily policymakers, investors, and researchers focused on rural development, poverty
alleviation, and economic policy. The article is appropriate for this purpose and audience because
it looks at poverty and inequality in rural areas in depth and is based on relevant facts and
studies. For example, it talks about how the COVID-19 outbreak hurt rural areas more than
urban ones and how specific policies and measures are needed to help rural people deal with the
unique problems they face.