by Peter Knight | Dec 9, 2024 | News
The Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN) has collaborated with Prof Geoffrey Williams, a Malaysian-based economist and Basic Income advocate, to share their collective vision of a Basic Income in the Malaysian context. Involved with the collaboration from BIEN were our chair of the EC – Dr Sarath Davala, our Volunteer Coordinator and EC member from Malaysia – Lee Seng Kiat, and our Asia Pacific Hub Manager – John Michael.
Their 7-page infographic was soft launched in both English and Malay, offering an overview of Basic Income, proposals for implementation and funding, and comparison with policies already in place in Malaysia. They were also on air with business radio station – BFM 89.9, offering their insights to the robust questions posed by journalist Dashran Yohan. Their visions were also published by local newspapers including the Malay Mail, The Sun, and a the largest newspaper in Malaysia – The Star.
by Peter Knight | Dec 8, 2024 | News
Unconditional is a film created at the University of Bath that is focused on the prosperity of communities that sprouted from pilots basic income projects in India and Bangladesh. The strategy of basic income plus — not only providing direct cash but also community organizing support to those participating in the pilot — lead to meaningful impact on societal issues identified by pilot participants.
To view the film, click here.
by Peter Knight | Dec 4, 2024 | News
“This month, researchers released independent data for Tacoma, WA. A partnership with the City of Tacoma, the United Way of Pierce County, and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, the Growing Resilience In Tacoma (GRIT) pilot focused on families that are considered “asset-limited, income-constrained and employed” (ALICE). From December 2021 to December 2022, the GRIT pilot gifted 110 ALICE families in Tacoma $500 a month, no strings attached. Results demonstrate that a modest, unrestricted cash investment can improve families’ financial stability, well-being, food security, and access to safe and stable housing, thereby reducing poverty in our community.”
To read more, click here.
by Jurgen De Wispelaere | Dec 4, 2024 | News
“Researchers are conducting the UK’s first major scientific trials to establish whether giving homeless people cash is a more effective way of reducing poverty than traditional forms of help.
Poverty campaigners have long believed that cash transfers are the most cost-effective way of helping people, but most studies have examined schemes in developing countries.
The new study, funded by the government and carried out by King’s College London (KCL) and the homelessness charity Greater Change, will recruit 360 people in England and Wales. Half will continue to get help from frontline charities. The other half will get additional help from Greater Change, whose support workers will discuss their financial problems then pay for items such as rent deposits, outstanding debts, work equipment, white goods, furniture or new clothes. They do not make direct transfers to avoid benefits being stopped due to a cash influx.’
To read the full article, click here.
by Peter Knight | Dec 4, 2024 | News
“USAID’s support of direct monetary transfers is significant as it is the largest provider of official development assistance at an estimated US$66B in 2023 and has the potential to influence a greater number of actors in the sector to adopt this approach.”
To read more, click here.
by Peter Knight | Dec 4, 2024 | News
Photo by Jason Hafso via Unsplash
- In chapter 5 of its annual report, Canada’s National Advisory Council on Poverty recommended that Canada implement a basic income.
- Quote: “The Council proposes that the federal government should work across governments to introduce a basic income floor, indexed to the cost of living, that would provide adequate resources (above Canada’s Official Poverty Line) for people to be able to meet their basic needs, thrive and make choices with dignity.”
To read the report, click here.
