Poverty and community engagement

Abstract

Poverty This chapter provides definitions on poverty, and attempts to establish the link between poverty and community engagement. In this chapter, we share the details of the government programmes in Botswana, Nigeria and Malawi that have been set to address poverty through national development programmes and in the process work towards the realization of MDGs as ratified in 2004. Apparently, MDG 8 has provided an added impetus to refocus and re-align partnership issues around development needs around the MDG targets: MDG Goal 8 is calling for the Development of a global Partnership for Development. Local, regional and global partnerships are crucial to build for prudent management of scarce resources to promote lifelong learning, poverty reduction programme strategies for sustainable community development and engagement even without donor support. The regional collaborative research study on Community Services and engagement was done through a four stage case study using Action Research. The study revealed that a critical mission of Universities globally is to eradicate poverty by infusing programs in their third mission through Community Eengagement and Service. This third mission of Universities has been undeveloped due to the global and clear demands of teaching and research.