Amount Quote by Jeffrey Sachs
“The key to ending extreme poverty is to enable the poorest of the poor to get their foot on the ladder of development. The ladder of development hovers overhead, and the poorest of the poor are stuck beneath it. They lack the minimum amount of capital necessary to get a foothold, and therefore need a boost up to the first rung.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: UN Development Forum, 2015
Poverty persists because the poorest lack initial capital to climb the development ladder; a targeted boost can enable upward mobility.
In simple terms: The poorest need a financial jump‑start to escape poverty.
Key Takeaway
Provide micro‑capital or seed funding to the ultra‑poor.
Themes
poverty reduction
economic development
inequality
Mood
analytical
optimistic
Type
policy
economic
When to use this quote
- micro‑finance programs
- government aid
- NGO initiatives
- community development
Key Concepts
capital access
social mobility
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms ensure lasting impact?
- How can we prevent dependency?
A Different Perspective
Sustaining progress requires systemic reforms beyond initial capital.
