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International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2008
To commemorate International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2008, Ashoka recognizes the role of Ashoka Fellows who are making real and sufficient progress towards ending poverty.
These Ashoka Fellows are representative of social entrepreneurs around the world who are finding economic opportunities for less advantaged communities through youth education, business development, citizen participation, and volunteerism. Ashoka takes this opportunity to raise awareness of their ground-breaking approaches and relentless commitment to creating a more just and prosperous world for all.
Marcelo Mario Caldano, Argentina
Cooperativa Olga Cossettini
Inspired by Gandhi's call for a system that depended on production by the masses, Marcelo designed an alternative economic plan for poverty-stricken areas where money is limited. Rather than paying cash, participating members contribute work hours to deliver services. Argentina’s economic crisis has left few institutions with the funds to serve urgent public needs. Marcelo's idea not only provides these needed resources, but also initiates an important mindset shift: value is ascribed to the nonfinancial contributions of each member.
Franz Dullinger, Germany
Elected as the youngest municipal council member in Bavaria, Franz is reforming European Union (EU) and regional political processes in economically weak regions of Germany, helping citizens take charge of their own development. Franz empowers local networks to directly apply for the distribution of EU funding, skipping the state and federal levels through which the money normally travels. Moreover, his initiative has established a network of engaged people that are creating an atmosphere of activity and innovation.
Anselm Rosario, India
Ragpicker's Education and Development Scheme (REDS)
Anslem gave up a career in hotel management to help youth scavengers in his home city of Bangalore. He is developing non-institutional ways of helping these children adjust and grow by working with youth at the micro level, encouraging cross-agency collaboration, and through new recycling programs that provide these scavengers with a viable economic base. Such training helps these street children move into the formal economy.
Beverly Moodie, South Africa
Business Outreach
After successfully launching her own sewing machine business, Beverley now trains disadvantaged, unemployed South Africans to start their own small business ventures. Her approach leads trainees to their own decisions while simultaneously matching people with skills that can effectively put money in their pockets. Acknowledging the reality that people are not guaranteed employment, this method helps break a cycle of poverty and provides people with the tools necessary to sustain and employ themselves.
Othón Cuevas Córdova, Mexico
Centéotl, A.C.
Forced to move to the city for his education, Othón promised to someday use his education to benefit his home community. Today, he works with youth to break the vicious cycle of poverty and migration so pervasive in Mesoamerica’s indigenous communities. Othón encourages young people to understand their cultural roots while teaching them how to make a living on the farm. His program seeks to stem the tide of youth migration that threatens to turn indigenous communities into ghost towns.