Facing the Twin Challenges of Extreme Poverty and Hunger: Public Policies Driven by the 2030 Agenda

This chapter examines the interwoven issues of poverty and hunger in Brazil over the past three decades, underscoring their connection and advocating for inclusive policies to combat inequalities. It notes a recent upsurge in poverty and hunger since 2016, echoing warnings from the Civil Society Working Group on the 2030 Agenda. Historical inequalities, including racial, gender, and territorial disparities, are identified as root causes, with urban poverty exacerbated by the absence of agrarian reform and wealth concentration. While early 2000s initiatives like the Family Farming Harvest Plan and School Feeding Program initially reduced poverty, recent data indicates a reversal, necessitating urgent inclusive development policies. The narrative traces Brazil’s progress until 2015, attributing subsequent regression to economic and political crises, policy errors, and deliberate actions. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated challenges, complicating blame attribution. Despite setbacks, optimism exists for post-2022 election policy reversals, highlighting efforts to recreate institutions like CONSEA and reform the Bolsa Família Program. The text underscores the importance of addressing challenges such as food inflation and wealth taxation, with a call for societal awareness and commitment to the SDG and the 2030 Agenda.