As private and public players at all levels examine our progress in moving people out of poverty, the time is right to explore if and how livelihoods have improved. What factors really determine livelihoods? Which issues will most affect them over the next 20 to 30 years as economic growth shifts from West to East, amid increasing global interdependence? And how can rising living standards across the globe be ensured and sustained?
Livelihoods are constantly at risk. Local and global crises, demographic shifts, climate change, new technologies and other challenges impact livelihoods in many ways. These challenges vary dramatically across countries, cultures and communities. Their impacts’ complexity demands that relevant stakeholders from the public and private sectors, universities, nonprofits and the public join forces in a holistic way to design future strategies for securing sustainable livelihoods.