0.7 percent target:

A commitment made by countries who signed the Millennium Declaration to designate 0.7 percent of their gross national product (GNP) to official development assistance. This level of aid would enable developing countries to reach the 2015 Millennium Development Goals. Only five countries, including the United States and Canada, have not laid out a timeline for achieving this target.

Alternative income project:

A development project that provides poor families with productive resources such as milking animals, sewing machines and arable land. This enables families to earn a sustainable source of income and remove their children from dangerous working conditions, giving children the opportunity to receive an education.

Carbon emissions:

The release of carbon dioxide into the Earth’s atmosphere as a result of human activity.

CFC:

The abbreviation for chlorofluorocarbon, a chemical compound formerly used widely in industry that is known to deplete the ozone layer.

Child labor:

Work done by a child that interferes with the child’s education or is harmful to the child’s physical, emotional, intellectual or social growth. Many countries have passed laws prohibiting children from working before a certain age, with the exception of some household chores and schoolwork.

Children’s rights:

The basic rights and freedoms to which all children are entitled. In 1989, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) established the rights that all children have, including the right to life, religion, a name, privacy and to be protected against all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation. It is the most widely adopted human rights convention in history, only not ratified by two United Nations member states: Somalia and the United States. See also human rights.

Climate change:

Variation in the Earth’s climate over time as a result of natural or human causes. In discussions of environmental policy, climate change most often refers to global warming in the modern climate.

Communism:

A theory of social and political organization that seeks to create a society based on communal ownership, in which all people have equal social and economic status.

Consumption:

A broad term used to refer to the amount of energy used by an individual or a group of individuals. Consumption includes direct energy use in the form of fuel, as well as the purchase of consumer goods.

Cultural Revolution in China:

A campaign launched in 1966 by the chairman of the Communist Party of China, Mao Zedong. Its stated purpose was to continue the struggle of the working classes against the oppressive bourgeoisie (middle and upper classes), but it is commonly recognized instead as an effort by Mao Zedong to maintain power within the Communist Party.

Cycle of poverty:

The idea that poor individuals and families are unable to break out of poverty because, as a result of being poor, they don’t have the necessary tools to do so. These tools include education, financial resources and social connections for advancement. It can refer to individuals through their own lifetime or to a larger cycle that spans generations.

Debt relief:

The complete or partial forgiveness by developed countries of the financial debt of developing countries, allowing them to direct funds to social and economic development rather than debt repayment.

Developed/industrialized countries:

A general term used to describe industrialized nations with a higher per capita income and a high ranking on the Human Development Index (HDI). According to the United Nations (UN), Japan, Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the countries of Western Europe are usually referred to as developed countries.

Developing countries:

A general term used to describe nations with lower levels of industrialization, low per capita income and a low ranking on the Human Development Index (HDI).

Development:

The social and economic advancement of a given community, region, country or people with the goals of higher per capita income and raising the standard of living. See also sustainable development.

Diarrhea:

A condition of frequent, loose and watery bowel movements. When untreated, diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration and death, especially among children. In developing countries, diarrhea is most often caused by unclean drinking water.

Dictatorship:

A form of government in which all the power is held by one person.

Dynasty:

A series of rulers who belong to the same family and maintain power for several generations.

Education:

Education can be defined as the acquisition of skills, knowledge and values. The knowledge and skills children acquire affect their ability to earn a sustainable income and determine their own future. An “educated” person is often described as literate, able to think critically about the world and equipped to contribute to their community. See also primary school.

Extreme poverty:

The most severe level of poverty, at which individuals are unable to meet their basic needs for survival, such as food, water, shelter, clothing and healthcare. According to the World Bank, extreme poverty can be defined as a daily income of $1 US or less. See also poverty.

Fair trade:

Formally, a system of certifying that fair labor practices have been used to produce a good. Informally, a social movement focusing on ensuring that trade is equitable. This includes consideration of workers’ rights, fair wages, working conditions and environmental implications.

Famine:

A prolonged shortage of food causing widespread hunger, malnutrition, starvation and death. See also undernourishment.

Foreign aid:

The transfer of money—in the form of loans, grants, technology or goods—from the government of one country to another country. It can refer to emergency relief in a crisis situation, like a famine or an earthquake, as well as to longer-term development assistance that promotes economic and social advancement. See also official development assistance (ODA).

Gender equality:

The concept that men and women are entitled to the same rights and privileges. In many parts of the world, women are given fewer rights and privileges due to cultural expectations or political limitations.

Global average temperature:

A record of the fluctuations in the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans over time, also known as the temperature record.

Global warming:

The significant increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s surface and oceans in recent decades and the expectation that this warming will continue.

Globalization:

The increased movement of capital, goods, people and ideas throughout the world as a result of advancement in communications technologies and means of travel.

Greenhouse effect:

The process by which greenhouse gases present in the planet’s atmosphere—such as water vapor (H20) and carbon dioxide (CO2)—trap the sun’s infrared radiation (energy) which increases temperatures on the Earth. The term can be used to refer to either Earth’s warming through naturally-occurring gases, or to the enhanced greenhouse effect caused by gases released by human activities like driving cars and running factories. See also global warming.

Gross national product (GNP):

A measurement of the wealth of a country, calculated by adding together the value of all final goods and services produced within a country, and by individuals and companies from that country located abroad.

Health:

The well-being of a person or people—not only the presence or absence of disease or illness—that takes into account an individual’s physical, mental and social state. For example, a person who is undernourished may be disease-free, but that person is not healthy.

HIV/AIDS:

HIV is the abbreviation for the human immunodeficiency virus, which attacks the immune system, leaving those infected vulnerable to life-threatening infections and illnesses. AIDS is the abbreviation for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, a condition resulting from the progression of the HIV virus. HIV is transferred by bodily fluids, including blood and semen. Although HIV cannot be cured, anti-retroviral drugs can delay the progression of HIV to AIDS, allowing those infected to live long lives.

Human development index (HDI):

An annual evaluation of the development of nations based on three dimensions: life expectancy, literacy and standard of living. Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), it asserts that economic growth does not necessarily mean improved well-being. It looks at the impact of development on people instead of focusing on purely financial indicators like the gross national product (GNP).

Human rights:

The basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled. In 1948, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights established a set of rights that all people have, including the right to life, liberty, education, a nationality and equality before the law, as well as to freedom of movement, religion and association. See also children’s rights.

Illiteracy:

The inability of an individual to read and write at a level adequate to communicate and participate in society by means of the written word.

Infant mortality rate:

The number of babies who die each year before reaching one year of age divided by the number of live births during the same year within a given community, country or region. Infants are more vulnerable to disease and illness than older children and adults.

Industrialization:

A process of social and economic change, characterized by new technologies, the use of machines to produce goods and the movement of people from rural areas into cities.

International Monetary Fund (IMF):

An international organization of 185 member countries that oversees the global financial system with the goal of establishing stability to promote a liberal trading system. Established under the 1944 Bretton Woods Agreements, it monitors global economic developments, provides countries with technical assistance and gives loans to low-income countries to promote economic growth. Common criticism includes the disproportionately large influence of certain member countries and the practice of attaching conditions to loans that often harm local economies.

Kyoto protocol:

An amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change setting emissions limits for greenhouse gases in order to prevent global warming. While 175 countries have ratified the protocol, the United States is notably absent. See also greenhouse effect.

Literacy:

The ability of an individual to read and write at a level adequate to communicate with others and participate in society by means of the written word.

Loans:

Money given with the expectation that the money be repaid. See also foreign aid.

Malaria:

An infectious disease spread by mosquitoes that is widespread in many warm and tropical regions, usually causing headache, nausea, fever and vomiting. There is no vaccine for malaria, but it can be largely prevented by taking drugs and using mosquito nets or it can be treated once a person is infected. Children are particularly vulnerable to death from malaria.

Malnutrition:

See undernourishment.

Maternal health:

The health of women in the time before conception, during pregnancy, at birth and after birth. The quality of maternal health varies closely with the availability of healthcare services to women before and after they become mothers.

Maternal mortality ratio:

The number of women who die during pregnancy and childbirth for every 100,000 live births. The most common causes of maternal mortality include infection, excessive bleeding and obstruction during childbirth.

Measles:

Also known as rubeola, this disease is caused by a virus that is easily spread through respiration, usually resulting in fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and a skin rash. It can be prevented with a childhood vaccination, but if left untreated it can be fatal, particularly in children.

Millennium Declaration:

United Nations (UN) resolution laying out the eight Millennium Development Goals to be achieved by 2015. It was agreed upon by 189 member countries at the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000.

Millennium Development Goals:

Eight international targets for development set by the United Nations (UN) in 2000 to be reached by 2015.

Non-governmental organization:

A non-profit organization—independent of the structure of any government—that works to address a particular social issue affecting people by raising public awareness and implementing projects.

Official Development Assistance:

The transfer of money—in the form of loans, grants, technology or goods—from governments of developed countries to governments of developing countries to promote economic and social advancement. See also foreign aid.

Pandemic:

The outbreak of an infectious disease (epidemic) that quickly spreads across a large region or worldwide. The HIV/AIDS crisis is a current pandemic.

Per capita income:

The amount of income one person earns each year as a fraction of the gross national product (GNP) of their country.

Pneumonia:

A respiratory illness that causes the lungs to fill with fluid. Pneumonia is treatable, but treatment is often unavailable in developing countries. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to pneumonia.

Polio:

An infectious, viral disease that attacks the central nervous system, causing muscle-weakness, paralysis and often death. Polio can be prevented with a childhood vaccination and has been eradicated in most of the world because of international vaccination programs.

Poverty:

A lack of money or other resources such that a person is unable to enjoy an adequate standard of living, characterized by inability to access sufficient food, water, shelter, clothing and healthcare.

Primary school:

The basic level of education which every girl and boy has the right to receive. Children who complete a quality primary school program achieve basic literacy and are better equipped to earn a sustainable income, contribute to their communities, make good health choices and protect their own rights.

Sanitation:

The disposal of human waste in a hygienic manner that protects health, such as through the use of septic tanks or pit latrines (outhouses).

Slum:

Part of a city or town inhabited by poor people, characterized by a lack of access to clean water, sanitation, durable housing, security and adequate living space.

Sub-Saharan Africa:

The area of the African continent south of the Sahara desert. It is considered the poorest geographical region in the world.

Subsidy:

Financial assistance given by a government to lower the price of producing or purchasing a particular good.

Subsistence farming:

A form of raising crops or livestock that produces enough to feed the family working the land, but with little or no surplus to sell at market. Sustainable development:

A term defined by the United Nations (UN) as economic and social progress “that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” It often refers to efforts to relieve poverty in developing countries in an environmentally friendly and long-lasting way.

Sweatshops:

A shop or factory whose employees work long hours for low wages under unhealthy conditions. Sweatshops are most common in the clothing industry.

Tariff:

A government tax on goods imported from or exported to another country with the goal of gaining revenue, controlling the quantity of goods traded or protecting domestic companies from foreign competition.

Trade:

The voluntary exchange of goods or services.

Tuberculosis (TB):

A highly contagious bacterial disease that affects the respiratory system, leading to death if untreated. Infections are most common in developing countries and wherever people are living in poverty or overcrowded housing, such as a homeless shelter or prison.

Under-five child mortality rate:

The number of children under five who die for every 1,000 live births. Children under five are more vulnerable to disease than older children and adults.

Undernourishment:

A medical condition resulting from consuming too little food or consuming food lacking the nutrients needed by the body for healthy functioning. It can lead to increased vulnerability to disease, breakdown of bodily processes and starvation. See also famine.

United Nations (UN):

An international organization made up of 192 member states, whose goal is to promote international cooperation in economic development, social progress, human rights protection and security.

World Bank:

An international organization of 185 member countries that provides low-interest loans, grants and advice to developing countries. Established under the 1944 Bretton Woods Agreements as a sister organization to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), it is made up of two institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA).

World Health Organization (WHO):

An agency of the United Nations (UN) that coordinates international action to fight disease and promote the health of all people.