Vincentian Chair Lecturer Discusses Measurable Impact of Poverty

Numbers can be part of the ongoing work of redressing poverty and a tool in the hands of people of goodwill. 

That was the message of Sabina Alkire, D.Phil, holder of the 2024–25 Vincentian Chair of Social Justice, during the first of four lectures held throughout the academic year.

This lecture, “Faith and Poverty Measurement,” held on October 16 in the D’Angelo Center, centered on Dr. Alkire’s Multidimensional Poverty Index, which seeks to measure poverty and its impact quantifiably. She is a Professor of Poverty and Human Development and directs the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative at the University of Oxford.

“This measure of poverty has been adopted by the United Nations and many countries of the world,” noted Rev. Patrick J. Griffin, C.M. ’13HON, Executive Director, Vincentian Center for Church and Society. “Dr. Alkire seeks to demonstrate that poverty is not simply a matter of numbers, but a personal burden for many men, women, and children of the world. It is more than a calculation of salary. It describes a lack of health care, education, housing, nourishment, and other factors. Her focus on the real and multiple needs of people captures her appreciation of St. John’s charism and her focus on what needs to be done. She speaks our Vincentian language.”

“I’m aware that I’m speaking to a community of Vincentians—of students and faculty at St. John’s—who take poverty seriously,” Dr. Alkire noted. “And, indeed, recognize accompaniment of the poor as a dual path of service, self-offering, and spiritual growth.”

Dr. Alkire related the story of a woman in India who, in every conceivable way, is destitute, barely subsisting on a tiny amount of rice, grain, and sugar for herself and her two children. She cleans houses and works in a weaving unit for pennies. Yet, Dr. Alkire stressed, she is a joyful woman, grateful for whatever blessings she enjoys. “She has a characteristic, beaming smile.”

Dr. Alkire asked, “How do we move from any real person’s encounter to an actionable, rigorous measure of poverty—and is it needed?”

Dr. Alkire explained that knowing the stories of people experiencing poverty, not just their circumstances, is essential. She said we need to know their life experience to accompany them and concretely invest in structural change. “The complex and overlapping deprivations she faces are not unusual.”

What a multidimensional poverty measure does is assess whether a person and their household experience a critical mass of deprivations simultaneously, Dr. Alkire said. “If a person is poor, then the poverty measure records the deprivations that they experience so these can be addressed.”

The bedrock of Catholic Social Teaching on poverty is the insight that human nature is created in the image and likeness of God, and dignity is found in each person. Dr. Alkire explained that poverty denies people the outward goods that accord with their dignity as humans. “Encyclicals use strong words in describing states of poverty as cruel, intolerable, miserable, and appalling.”

Dr. Alkire stressed that while poverty measurement is important, it is not the complete answer. “It shines a light on some aspects of society that are unjust.” 

She added, “It is but one part of a larger project addressing deprivation—and one part of realizing one’s inherent dignity and vocation.”