It has become increasingly apparent that countries cannot isolate themselves from others.  Countries depend on each other for energy, food and many of the conveniences of life. Every country has something they can “sell” to others.

The system by which we trade these things becomes very important in the context of promoting development and preventing widespread levels of poverty.  “The Church's social doctrine encourages forms of cooperation that are capable of facilitating access to the international market on the part of countries suffering from poverty and underdevelopment.

Even in recent years it was thought that the poorest countries would develop by isolating themselves from the world market and by depending only on their own resources.

Recent experience has shown that countries which did this have suffered stagnation and recession, while the countries which experienced development were those which succeeded in taking part in general interrelated economic activities at the international level.

It seems therefore that the chief problem is that of gaining fair access to the international market, based not on the unilateral principle of the exploitation of the natural resources of these countries but on the proper use of human resources.”

While equal access to markets is critical for all countries, there are other factors that affect the ability of a country to advance itself, i.e. provide an opportunity for all its citizens to be fulfilled.  In fact some of these factors also affect a country’s ability to compete on the international market. 

The social doctrine of the Church states “Among the causes that greatly contribute to underdevelopment and poverty, in addition to the impossibility of acceding to the international market, mention must be made of illiteracy, lack of food security, the absence of structures and services, inadequate measures for guaranteeing basic health care, the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation, corruption, instability of institutions and of political life itself.

There is a connection between poverty and, in many countries, the lack of liberty, possibilities for economic initiative and a national administration capable of setting up an adequate system of education and information.”

What this tells us is that promoting development requires a holistic approach which covers the economy, health, roads, education and institutions, and most importantly the human mind and the human spirit. 

“The spirit of international cooperation requires that, beyond the strict market mentality, there should be an awareness of the duty to solidarity, justice and universal charity.  In fact, there exists something which is due to man because he is man, by reason of his lofty dignity”.

Cooperation is the path to which the entire international community should be committed, “according to an adequate notion of the common good in relation to the whole human family”. Many positive results flow from this; for example, an increase of confidence in the potential of poor people and therefore of poor countries and an equitable distribution of goods.

A critical point for us to note is that the poor, or persons coming from poor countries, must not be seen as only persons to be helped and assisted. They must be seen as persons with voices, with ideas and the capability to develop themselves.

What we must remember is that “The right to development is an inalienable human right by virtue of which every human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realised.” Declaration on the Right to Development adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1986. 

What we have to do is ensure that disadvantaged persons are given opportunities and choices that will enable them to take control of their own lives. Development policy should help these people articulate and assert their own interests and rights.

Next week we look at the fight against poverty. 

Persons interested in purchasing the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, can contact the Justice Desk, Archbishop’s House – 622-6680. Also on sale at the Justice Desk are the Take a Bite Social Justice Programme on DVD and Responses to 101 Questions on Catholic Social Teaching.