Alvin Laurence: China offers a learning curve to Seychelles in poverty alleviation

“China is playing a leading role in alleviating poverty. And small countries like Seychelles ought to follow its example to be able to alleviate poverty as well. China offers a learning curve to Seychelles,” said Alvin Laurence, principle secretary for Poverty Alleviation, Ministry of Family Affairs, Seychelles. 

“China is expertized, and can lead us by pointing us in the right direction. Cooperation between the Ministry of Family Affairs in Seychelles and China has existed for many years through education, health, and all the development infrastructure that China has been involved in. But the most obvious gains have been in education. We need to ensure that this cooperation continues under the Belt and Road Initiative,” said Laurence. 

According to Laurence, one of the main areas of Chinese involvement has been in building schools for the children of Seychelles. Those schools are in local communities and they are schools free to all. At the same time, the Seychelles government has encouraged people to study, to embrace the culture here in China on various courses. 

“China is a massive country; in comparison Seychelles is only one dot on the map. But as China moves forward, we have also learned from China that she works with NGOs and private businesses. This is an area where we can learn from China; this is how we get all the partners on board to help the government in ensuring that poverty is being tackled from several angles,” he added. 

As for the challenges China may face after eliminating absolute poverty as scheduled next year, Laurence noted that the main challenge he thinks will apply to all countries, and to China as well, is when it comes down to decisions at the individual level to ensure that each and every family is being empowered to make sound decisions that will not lead them back into poverty. 

Laurence also expressed his wish to enhance cooperation and friendship with China.“It’s a long-lasting friendship that we hope can endure for many, many more years,” he said. 

He also joined over 200 participants in the 2019 China Poverty Reduction International Forum which was held in Beijing on October 16, to share insights and ideas, and the efforts his country has made in poverty reduction.

Jin Ling also contributed to this story.