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Squid Game and Escaping Poverty on a Global Scale

sdunnivant

Updated: Jan 13




The Netflix series Squid Game has become a global phenomenon as Season Two launched recently. Squid Game became Netflix's most-watched series, with viewers from over 142 million households in its first 28 days. It topped the streaming charts in 92 countries and received multiple awards, including six Emmys. The series is part of the Korean Wave (Hallyu), which refers to the global popularity of South Korean culture. This wave includes K-pop, Korean dramas, and films like Parasite. Squid Game's success has further cemented South Korea's position as a major exporter of entertainment. The show provides a stark commentary on capitalism, wealth disparity, and human desperation. By using children's games with deadly consequences, it highlights the extreme measures people take to escape poverty. This resonates with audiences worldwide, reflecting similar issues in their own societies.


In essence, Squid Game is more than just a TV show; it's a cultural touchstone that has sparked conversations about societal issues, introduced global audiences to Korean culture, and had a tangible economic impact. It is an even deeper commentary on the lengths people will go to to escape an economic crisis on the personal level. As of 2022, approximately 9% of the world's population lives in extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $2.15 per day. This translates to around 713 million people globally. Stop and think about that for a minute. Imagine over twice the size of the population of the United States living on less than $2.15 per day!


Each year, millions of people migrate from nations experiencing economic crises to regions with better economies. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), about 30 million people migrate internationally for economic reasons. This figure includes both regular and irregular migration, driven by the search for better job opportunities, higher wages, and improved living conditions. Their journeys are far from standard travel. The number of deaths among migrants attempting to reach regions with better economies is tragically high. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 4,000 fatalities are recorded annually on migratory routes worldwide. In 2023, it was reported as the deadliest year with over 8,000 deaths recorded. These numbers are likely underestimates, as many deaths go unrecorded. The Mediterranean route is particularly dangerous, with almost 28,000 people recorded dead or missing since 2014. It's a sobering reminder of the risks migrants face in their search for better opportunities.


There are several major efforts and common themes in reducing global poverty. The United Nations' SDGs aim to end poverty in all its forms by 2030. These goals include targets for education, health, gender equality, clean water, and economic growth. Wealthier nations provide financial aid to developing countries to support poverty reduction programs. This aid helps create favorable conditions for economic growth and development. Programs like microfinance provide small loans to low-income individuals to promote entrepreneurship and self-reliance. This approach has been successful in many regions, including Bangladesh and India. As a retired educator, the most compelling effort in my mind are those which invest in education and vocational training helping individuals acquire the skills needed to secure better-paying jobs and improve their economic status.


To succeed, such education must involve local communities in the design and implementation of poverty reduction strategies ensuring that programs are relevant and effective. Promoting economic growth and creating job opportunities are essential for lifting people out of poverty. This includes supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and fostering entrepreneurship. Leveraging technology, such as mobile banking and agricultural tech, can bridge gaps in healthcare, education, and employment. Implementing policy changes to address systemic issues, such as land rights and access to resources, is crucial for sustainable poverty reduction. Collaboration between governments, private entities, and international organizations is necessary to achieve comprehensive and lasting solutions. Like everything we address in this blog, much of this goes back to culture. Whatever the program, if we hope to lift populations out of extreme poverty we must acknowledge and design such efforts to align with that group's assumptions, values, and celebrations--its culture.


Leveraging Organizational Culture to Combat Global Poverty

Clearly, the global fight against poverty is a multifaceted challenge that requires innovative approaches and collaborative efforts. Recent initiatives have focused on sustainable development, financial inclusion, education, healthcare, and social protection programs. However, one often overlooked aspect is the power of organizational culture in driving these efforts.

Our book, "The Herd: How to Leverage the Absolute Power of Organizational Culture," offers valuable insights into how organizational culture can be harnessed. Better strategies focusing on local programs to address global poverty can benefit from deeper understandings of the organizations that exist at this level. The book introduces the Organizational Harmonics System, which provides a framework for understanding and leveraging the latent power within organizations. A major part of that analysis addresses altruism.

Key Themes and Methodologies

  1. Empowerment and Participation: Involving local communities in the design and implementation of poverty reduction strategies ensures that programs are relevant and effective. This aligns with our emphasis on understanding individual and organizational harmonic types to create a cohesive and empowered team. Assessing the level of altruism at the granular level across local groups can be a key to better understanding the cultural assumptions that often perpetuate poverty.

  2. Economic Growth and Job Creation: Promoting economic growth and creating job opportunities are essential for lifting people out of poverty. Our approach to leveraging organizational culture can help businesses and organizations align their goals with poverty reduction efforts, fostering a more inclusive economy.

  3. Technology and Innovation: Leveraging technology, such as mobile banking and agricultural tech, can bridge gaps in healthcare, education, and employment. Organizational culture that encourages innovation and adaptability can drive the adoption of these technologies in poverty-stricken areas.

  4. Policy and Structural Reforms: Implementing policy changes to address systemic issues, such as land rights and access to resources, is crucial for sustainable poverty reduction. Organizations with a strong, positive culture can advocate for and implement these reforms more effectively.

  5. International Cooperation: Collaboration between governments, private entities, and international organizations is necessary to achieve comprehensive and lasting solutions. A unified organizational culture that values cooperation and shared goals can enhance these collaborative efforts.

Applying Organizational Culture Harmonics' (OCH) Principles

By applying the principles outlined in "The Herd," organizations can create a culture that supports and amplifies their poverty reduction efforts. This involves understanding the unique strengths and harmonics of each team member and aligning them with the organization's mission. By doing so, organizations can predict and navigate complex challenges, ultimately contributing to a more equitable world.

In conclusion, while traditional methods of poverty reduction are essential, leveraging the power of organizational culture offers a unique and powerful approach. By fostering a culture of empowerment, innovation, and collaboration, organizations can play a significant role in the global fight against poverty. Feel free to contact us and explore how OCH can assist your organization as we all continue to create a world of possibilities beyond $2.15 per day.


Dr. Stephen Dunnivant President and Founder Anaveno, Inc and AltruTek.org


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