In a letter in today’s newspaper, Nicola Feldman, of The Coalition for the Protection of Children, calls for the introduction of a Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan.In an editorial last week, this newspaper called for the consideration of a ‘poverty summit’ where all those organisations involved in tackling the issue, lead by Government, would discuss ways to help resolve the problem.Although Poverty Reduction Strategy Plans (PRSPs) are normally a requirement for Developing Countries before they are eligible for aid, there would be no shame in Bermuda adopting the idea.Indeed it seems a logical step — the PRSPs presumably lay down a framework for helping to address poverty and that framework could perhaps be discussed or ‘Bermudianised’ at a poverty summit. In turn, it could then form the basis of a national poverty plan.This newspaper acknowledges that Government has taken some steps to try and mitigate some of the problems faced by the unemployed and elderly, the two sections of the community most likely to be affected.However, in the opinion of this newspaper, it needs to show greater public acknowledgment of the issue and greater leadership in resolving it — how about appointing a ‘poverty tsar’ with the authority to push forward some strategies (a national plan, for instance) and enforce changes.Poverty creates the social conditions that breed so many problems for the wider community — crime, perhaps being the foremost problem.It is imperative that co-ordinated, well thought-out and planned action is taken now and that someone is given the authority to implement that action before too many people are left in the poverty trap and the Island suffers long-term problems as a result.