The Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development (WSSD), 1995, had emphasized the eradiation of poverty through decisive National action and international corporation in partnership with all actors of civil society as an ethical, social, political and economic imperative of humankind. However, the 10-year Review of the Summit held in February 2005, was critical of the lack of sustainable pro-poor growth among the nations as the continuing major obstacle in reducing poverty. Even basic needs for all are yet to be provided across the globe, including in India. Women, particularly from the disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, continue to bear the greatest burden of poverty leading to accelerated accentuation of feminization of poverty. The process also applies to socially excluded group.

The Organisation has been strongly advocating for the committed and decentralized implementation of the existing poverty reduction and eradication plans and strategies as well as formulation of new region-specific policies and programmes to provide expanded access to social services and work opportunities; including health and education; employment opportunities, provision of social protection and measures to address the unmanageable effects of debt.

In India absolute rural poverty has not only increased because of decentralization of agriculture; daunting debt of farmers to the private money-lenders, with exorbitant interest; recurring largescale suicides by small and marginalized farmers; lack of basic infrastructure (including; education, health and road facilities); and unwanted migrations; the urban poverty has also been rapidly increasing in pace with overall urbanization.

The eradication of poverty as SANKALP propounds at policy level, requires universal access to economic opportunities that will promote sustainable livelihood and basic social services. Special efforts and intervention need to be provided to facilitate access to opportunities and services for the disadvantaged, deprived, dis-empowered.

Besides the macro-level policy advocacy; the Organisation is conducting the micro-level programmes to empower people living in poverty. These peogrammes include; facilitating expanded access to quality primary, secondary and vocational education; enhancing the coverage under affordable quality primary health service; imparting livelihood skills on traditional and non-traditional trade through capacity buildings/ training/ skills imparting; fostering the participation and at the decision-making levels, particularly in local self-government (Panchayati Raj Institutions and civic bodies); and raising awareness on governmental schemes on poverty reduction.

The Organisation recognizes the fact that poverty is a multi dimensional and trans-sectoral herculean problem, and needs extensive and intensive interventions for its reduction and eradication. Civil society Organisations have a crucial, but limited role. The process of globalization, while opened up economic opportunities; has simultaneously choked the people living in poverty. The international ramifications of economic policies together with new national economic policies; have enhanced the absolute and overall poverty in India, despite the official statistics calming reduction of all forms of poverty.