Midd examines "The Many Faces of Poverty"

Author: Addason McCaslin

For many demographic groups, the idea of poverty is a concept as foreign as the people soliciting aid on television. However, poverty is a pandemic problem that affects people in nearly every corner of the world, including the United States and even Addison County.

Acknowledging the existence of a problem like poverty is the first step toward fixing it, and some individuals at Middlebury College recognize this fact. From March 5-12, Middlebury College will proudly host a poverty symposium on campus with events and activities aimed at addressing the problems of poverty both in Addison County and the world at large.

The symposium, entitled, "The Many Faces of Poverty," will feature documentary films, a refugee camp simulation, a hunger banquet, artistic performances, panel discussions and guest speakers including a Bosnian refugee and representatives from local nonprofit organizations.

According to a UN Human Development Report emitted by Michael Conachy, over a billion people world-wide live on little over $1.00 a day. Even more people do not have enough money to afford basic nutrition and sanitation. Many Americans are aware of these facts but are too apathetic to act. Advertisements on television for charitable organizations allow individuals to send money to people in need all across the world, but the problem of poverty nevertheless persists. It requires greater attention.

Many of the symposium's events creatively address the wide variation in the types of poverty that exist. The refugee camp simulation exemplifies this creativity. According to Kelly Dennis '07, one of the event's organizers, "The goal of this simulation is to expose participants to the lives and plight of refugees as they are the ultimate victims of poverty." Upon arrival, attendants will be provided an identity and a "symbolic plot of land" before being allowed to enter and view posters, live action and a film all devoted to the plight of the refugee.

Perhaps one of the most powerful events of the symposium will be the inaugural discussion, "Local Voices of Poverty: Representatives of Addison County." This will be a chance for Middlebury students to find out a little more about what life is like for some of the people who live within sight of campus.For them, the luxuries afforded to Middlebury College students may seem worlds away and utterly unattainable. This discussion will offer a chance for neighbors living lives a world apart to mingle and learn from one another.

All events at the symposium are free, but donations are greatly appreciated. The Hunger Banquet, intended to characterize global distribution of food by providing diners with varying meal portions, will also give diners the chance to donate money to support Heifer International - a nonprofit organization working to end world hunger.

Olivia Kenna '07, one of the symposium's student organizers, said, "The hope of the students who planned the symposium is that it gives Middlebury students and our greater community a framework for understanding issues of poverty."

As a prelude to the events on campus, Vermont Congressman Bernie Sanders will deliver an address entitled, "Working Toward a World Without Poverty," on March 4 at the American Legion Post 27 at 10 Boardman St. in Middlebury. Students are encouraged to attend.