Draft:Poverty Research and Advocacy Network (PRAN)

The Poverty Research and Advocacy Network (PRAN) was established in Liverpool, UK, during a conference held on June 28, 2023.. .

PRAN operates as an independent, collectively managed advocacy network, serving as a platform for research and knowledge-sharing on the broad topic of social inequality.

Dr. Natalija Atas and Dr. Vicki Dabrowski, both academics at Liverpool Hope University, founded the network PRAN's primary objective is to bring together diverse individuals and organizations to facilitate knowledge-sharing and collaborative efforts in the ongoing battle against poverty and social injustice.

The network emphasizes wide representation, guided by the belief that collective, coordinated action is essential to escalate the fight against poverty. PRAN boasts a membership exceeding 100 individuals, spanning various sectors, including NGOs, third-sector organizations, local councils, the NHS, academia, the media, and the general public. Membership is open to anyone interested in understanding poverty and inequality, contributing knowledge, and actively participating in the fight against poverty and social injustice. PRAN asserts that raising awareness and fostering collective action are crucial in the fight against poverty.

PRAN's advocacy work centers on challenging stigmatizing discourses on poverty that impede social progress. The network operates as an interactive and dynamic platform, featuring newsletters, blogs, a podcast series, and events accessible to the public.

The Cost of Living Chronicles, PRAN's podcast, explores the reasons behind the cost of living crisis and high levels of poverty and inequality in one of the world's wealthiest economies. It aims to unravel societal complexities, identify root causes, and explore solutions to build a prosperous, equal, and content society. The podcast sheds light on initiatives at regional and national levels that actively combat these issues, showcasing the positive impact of these efforts.

PRAN contends that poverty is a structural problem resulting from the neglect of basic human needs and a series of inadequate political policies and choices. The network views poverty as a violation of basic human rights and a debilitating human experience. The fight against poverty, according to PRAN, requires collective change – raising awareness and dispelling misconceptions about the experiences and causes of poverty. This mission stands as a top priority on PRAN's agenda