Closing the Gap
How can the world help poorer countries catch up? Learn the strategies that try to close the development gap, from aid and fair trade to microfinance, and how top-down and bottom-up approaches differ.
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Closing the gap 🌍
There is a huge **development gap** between richer and poorer countries. Closing it means helping poorer countries improve health, education and income. Geographers study the strategies that try to do this.
Ways to help 🔑
Several strategies aim to reduce the development gap:
Top-down or bottom-up? ⚖️
Strategies come in two broad kinds.
Name it 🎯
What is microfinance?
- Small loans for people who cannot use a normal bank
- Building a huge dam for electricity
- A tax on imported goods
- Emergency food sent after a disaster
Match the strategy 🔗
- Aid
- Fair trade
- Debt relief
- Microfinance
- Money or resources given to a poorer country
- A fair price paid to producers
- Cancelling debt so money can go to development
- Small loans to start a small business
Big companies moving in 💡
Transnational corporations, or TNCs, build factories in poorer countries. This brings jobs, training and infrastructure, which can help development. But some profit is sent abroad rather than staying in the country, and workers may face low pay. The benefits must be weighed against the drawbacks.
Ways to close the gap ✅
Which THREE strategies help close the development gap?
- Long-term development aid
- Fair trade for producers
- Microfinance loans
- Raising trade barriers against poorer countries
- Ignoring the poorest people
How microfinance works 🪜
An interactive activity.
Complete the idea 🧩
The _____ gap is the difference between richer and poorer countries. _____ strategies, like a big dam, are large and run by governments, while _____ strategies, like a village well, are led by the local community. _____ gives small loans to the poorest, and _____ trade pays producers a fair price.
True or not? 🖍️
An interactive activity.
The main benefit 🔀
- Fair trade
- Debt relief
- Intermediate technology
- Tourism
- Guarantees producers a fair price
- Frees money to spend on schools and hospitals
- Uses simple tools suited to local skills
- Brings in foreign income and jobs
Top-down or bottom-up? 🧭
An interactive activity.
How aid helps 📈
An interactive activity.
Compare the strategies ✍️
An interactive activity.