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Widespread structural poverty is one of the tangible effects of a capitalist economic system that emphasizes capital accumulation and economic growth without regard for equity and social justice. This situation has prompted the Church to reexamine its role in a world marked by inequality and marginalization of the poor. This article aims to analyze the relevance of Pope Francis' thinking in the apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium as a theological and pastoral basis for the Church's stance towards the poor. This study uses a qualitative method with a literature review approach through document study, with Evangelii Gaudium as the main source, supported by relevant social theology literature and academic studies. The results of the study show that Pope Francis comprehensively understands poverty in three dimensions, namely material, moral, and spiritual poverty. Through Evangelii Gaudium, the Church is called to experience a change in its mission, from a self-centered Church to a Church that moves outward and is actively involved in the liberation of the poor. Thus, the Church not only carries out charitable works, but also acts as an agent of social change that brings the joy of the Gospel, justice, and hope to a world wounded by structural injustice.

Penelitian ini mengkaji kisah perjumpaan Yesus dengan pemuda kaya dalam Injil Matius 19:16–30, Injil Markus 10:17–31, dan Injil Lukas 18:18–30 dalam perspektif teologi perdamaian dan keadilan sosial. Latar belakang penelitian ini bertolak dari realitas ketimpangan sosial-ekonomi yang semakin meningkat di era modern, yang ditandai oleh kesenjangan antara kelompok kaya dan miskin serta kemiskinan struktural yang terus berlangsung. Dalam konteks tersebut, kisah Yesus dan pemuda kaya dipahami tidak hanya sebagai ajaran moral mengenai keterikatan terhadap harta, tetapi juga sebagai kritik profetis terhadap struktur sosial-ekonomi yang tidak adil. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan studi kepustakaan (library research) dan hermeneutika kontekstual. Data primer diperoleh dari teks Alkitab dalam ketiga Injil Sinoptik, sedangkan data sekunder berasal dari buku, jurnal ilmiah, dan literatur teologi yang relevan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa konsep shalom dalam teologi perdamaian mencakup keadilan relasional, kesejahteraan sosial, dan solidaritas terhadap kaum marginal. Perintah Yesus kepada pemuda kaya untuk menjual hartanya dan membagikannya kepada orang miskin menunjukkan bahwa iman Kristen tidak dapat dipisahkan dari tanggung jawab sosial. Kekayaan dipahami sebagai stewardship yang harus digunakan demi kesejahteraan bersama. Penelitian ini menegaskan bahwa gereja dipanggil untuk menjadi agen transformasi sosial melalui praksis keadilan, pemberdayaan ekonomi, pendidikan perdamaian, dan solidaritas sosial di tengah masyarakat Indonesia yang plural dan masih menghadapi ketimpangan sosial-ekonomi.

This descriptive qualitative research analyzed the financial literacy gap among six adolescents in Gorontalo City. They are divided into three groups, namely poor families, families on the verge of poverty, and rich families. This study uses a narrative inquiry approach by looking at the experiences of adolescents and their families in managing finances. The purpose of this study is to show adolescents' practical experience in financial management behavior. This experience became the basis for analyzing adolescent financial literacy in each group. The results of the study show that there are different needs for financial literacy, ranging from the need to survive to efforts to accumulate wealth. Teenagers from poor families tend to implement cost savings and manage money on a daily basis. Meanwhile, teens from wealthy families show a broader understanding, not only managing daily needs, but also starting to learn to plan long-term goals. They are encouraged to set savings targets together in order to realize their dreams and understand the basics of asset management. Groups on the brink of poverty are in the middle and need literacy about financial resilience and the ability to buy goods with the best value. The biggest risk for the wealthy group is impulse buying due to social pressures. Therefore, financial literacy education needs to be differentiated according to the economic conditions of students, ranging from survival to investment and insurance.

This study aims to examine the theological meaning of love for the poor in the apostolic exhortation Dilexi Te and to reflect on its relevance within the context of Indonesia’s pluralistic society. The research employs a qualitative method with a literature study approach, using Dilexi Te as the primary source, supported by relevant theological and social literature. The findings reveal that love for the poor in Dilexi Te is not merely a charitable act but constitutes the core of Christian faith, inseparable from one’s relationship with God. This love is integral, encompassing spiritual, moral, and structural dimensions, and calls for active engagement in promoting social justice and addressing the root causes of poverty. Theologically, solidarity with the poor is grounded in the mystery of Christ’s incarnation and the principle of the preferential option for the poor. In the Indonesian context of diversity, this teaching holds strong relevance as a foundation for fostering interreligious solidarity, strengthening social cohesion, and encouraging both the Church and society to work toward a more just, inclusive, and humane social order. Therefore, this study highlights that theological reflection on love for the poor is not merely normative but also carries concrete social implications in a pluralistic society.

Poverty remains a multidimensional crisis requiring holistic interventions that integrate spiritual and economic dimensions. This study aims to analyze forms of spiritual support in pastoral counseling for the poor and identify mechanisms through which such support contributes to the sustainability of economic empowerment programs. Using a qualitative approach with systematic literature review, data were collected from academic journals, theological texts, and previous research published between 2006-2025, analyzed through thematic content analysis. The findings reveal five integrated forms of spiritual support: spiritual-theological support for restoring meaning and hope, transformative psychosocial accompaniment integrating counseling techniques with faith values, communal empowerment based on Christian values creating sustainable support ecosystems, practical life skills guidance and economic capacity development, and advocacy facilitating access to structural resources. These forms contribute to sustainability through five mechanisms: mindset transformation from helplessness to self-agency, strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity, forming social networks and social capital, integrating Christian values in work ethics, and establishing continuous mentoring systems with participatory evaluation. This study confirms that spiritual support is an essential element determining the long-term success of economic empowerment programs for the poor.

The National Food Assistance Program (Non-Cash Food Assistance/BPNT) is one of the social policy instruments designed by the Indonesian government to enhance food security and improve the welfare of poor households. This research aims to analyze the effectiveness of this program by assessing its accessibility, targeting accuracy, commodity quality, and its impact on household expenditure and stability of food consumption.The research methodology uses a descriptive-analytical approach, combining secondary data from official government reports and academic literature with primary data in the form of a limited survey of beneficiaries.The results of the analysis indicate that the program is quite effective in increasing poor households' access to staple foods, primarily through the more transparent and flexible non-cash distribution mechanism. However, several constraints are still found, including inaccurate targeting of beneficiaries, variation in food quality at the e-warung level, and the limited digital literacy of some households.Nevertheless, the program is proven to be able to reduce the burden of food expenditure and improve consumption quality, thereby contributing positively to the welfare of poor households. This research suggests improving the validation of beneficiary data, supervising distribution, and expanding food and digital education for the community to further optimize the program's effectiveness.

Kemiskinan ekstrem masih menjadi permasalahan serius di wilayah pesisir, khususnya pada masyarakat nelayan di Desa Darat Pantai, Kecamatan Talibura, Kabupaten Sikka. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis faktor-faktor yang memengaruhi kemiskinan ekstrem serta mengkaji upaya penanganannya melalui program Kuliah Kerja Nyata (KKN) Universitas Nusa Nipa. Metode yang digunakan meliputi observasi langsung dan wawancara dengan perangkat desa, tenaga kesehatan, serta masyarakat setempat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kemiskinan ekstrem di Desa Darat Pantai bersifat struktural dan multidimensi, dipengaruhi oleh rendahnya pendapatan nelayan, keterbatasan aset produksi, ketergantungan pada pemilik modal, serta minimnya akses terhadap pendidikan, kesehatan, sanitasi, dan infrastruktur dasar. Program KKN berfokus pada pendataan valid masyarakat miskin ekstrem (P3KE), perbaikan ketepatan sasaran bantuan sosial, serta pelaksanaan Focus Group Discussion (FGD) untuk merumuskan solusi bersama. Penelitian ini merekomendasikan pemutakhiran data kemiskinan secara berkala, penguatan program pemberdayaan ekonomi masyarakat, serta peningkatan infrastruktur dasar sebagai langkah berkelanjutan dalam menanggulangi kemiskinan ekstrem di wilayah pesisir.

The Community Service Program (KKN) is a form of student dedication to society aimed at supporting sustainable rural development. In Regapu’u Village, KKN students implemented a collaborative program focusing on two strategic issues: extreme poverty data collection and stunting prevention education. The data collection was carried out through door-to-door visits to obtain accurate information regarding the residents' social and economic conditions. The data was then used as a basis for village policy planning and social assistance distribution. Meanwhile, the stunting education was conducted through outreach activities targeting pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and families with toddlers, covering topics such as nutrition, parenting practices, and sanitation. The methods used included participatory  observation,  interviews,  educationaloutreach, and demonstrations of nutritious food preparation (mung bean porridge). The results of the program showed an increase in community awareness regarding child nutrition and health, as well as the availability of more accurate poverty data for the village government. This activity demonstrates that collaboration between students, the community, and local authorities can contribute significantly to addressing poverty and preventing stunting at the local level

Indonesia, as an archipelagic country, has vast potential in marine resources; however, the welfare of poor fishing communities remains far from satisfactory due to various economic and social limitations. This study aims to analyze the economic and social needs of poor fishermen who face challenges such as low income, limited access to education and healthcare, and dependence on middlemen. The research was conducted in Paluh Sibaji Village, Pantai Labu Subdistrict, Deli Serdang Regency. The key informant was the Head of Paluh Sibaji Village, with three poor fishermen serving as main informants and fishermen’s families as additional informants. Data collection was carried out through literature review and field studies, including observation, interviews, and documentation. The data obtained in the field were then qualitatively analyzed until conclusions could be drawn. Based on the findings, the living conditions of poor fishermen in Paluh Sibaji Village reveal ongoing multidimensional economic and social needs. Referring to Sukirno’s (2005) theory of economic needs, it is evident that low per capita income, limited employment opportunities, unequal income distribution, and inadequate economic infrastructure persist. An analysis based on Abraham Maslow’s (1943) theory of social needs indicates that poor fishermen in Paluh Sibaji experience a sense of belonging and social bonds, love and affection, as well as social interactions within the community, although these remain limited and not yet optimal.

Indonesia, with its rapid economic growth, is still haunted by persistent poverty problems. Inflation is like a parasite that sticks to economic growth, has the potential to worsen the poverty gap and hinder its overcoming. The aim of this research is to examine how economic growth and inflation in Indonesia affect the level of poverty in Indonesia. Panel data collected between 1994 and 2023 from 34 provinces in Indonesia is the data source. Multiple linear regression analysis is the technique used. The findings show that the number of poor people in Indonesia is not significantly affected by economic growth or inflation. Only 25.7% of the fluctuation in the number of poor people can be explained by the regression model, based on a coefficient of determination (R-square) of 0.257; the remaining 74.3% can be explained by other factors not taken into account in this study.

Provinsi Jawa Tengah memiliki tingkat ketimpangan yang cukup tinggi, terutama di perkotaan. Data BPS Semester 2 Tahun 2024 menunjukkan rasio ketimpangan di perkotaan sebesar 0.392 dan di pedesaan 0.364, yang disebabkan oleh pembangunan wilayah yang belum merata. Pemerataan pembangunan menjadi fokus utama dalam RPJMN 2025–2045 menuju Indonesia Emas 2045, dengan "Pembangunan Kewilayahan" sebagai agenda ke-6 dari 8 agenda pembangunan, dengan tujuan untuk mewujudkan pemerataan dan keadilan pembangunan. Jawa Tengah memiliki 35 kabupaten/kota dengan tantangan pembangunan yang beragam. Untuk mencapai keadilan pembangunan, daerah tertinggal perlu diprioritaskan. Penelitian ini bertujuan memberikan rekomendasi daerah prioritas pembangunan menggunakan Sistem Pendukung Keputusan (SPK) dengan metode Entropy untuk pembobotan kriteria dan TOPSIS (Technique for Order by Similarity to Ideal Solution)  untuk penentuan prioritas. Kriteria yang digunakan meliputi aspek pendidikan, ekonomi, dan kesejahteraan masyarakat, seperti Umur Harapan Hidup (UHH), Harapan Lama Sekolah (HLS), Rata-rata Lama Sekolah (RLS), Pengeluaran per Kapita, Indeks Pembangunan Manusia (IPM), Persentase Penduduk Miskin, Tingkat Pengangguran Terbuka (TPT), serta Gini Ratio (rasio ketimpangan ). Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa Kabupaten Pemalang, Wonosobo, dan Banjarnegara merupakan daerah prioritas pembangunan. Hasil penelitian ini dapat menjadi rekomendasi bagi pemangku kebijakan untuk mendukung pembangunan yang lebih merata dan berkeadilan.

Kemiskinan merupakan salah satu tantangan terbesar yang dihadapi oleh berbagai negara, termasuk Indonesia. Tingginya jumlah penduduk miskin di beberapa wilayah, seperti di Provinsi Jawa Tengah, mencerminkan kompleksitas permasalahan yang dipengaruhi oleh kualitas sumber daya manusia, tingkat kemiskinan, dan pembangunan ekonomi. Provinsi Jawa Tengah, dengan populasi besar, memiliki tingkat kemiskinan yang signifikan, sehingga memerlukan intervensi strategi untuk mengoptimalkan penyaluran program pembangunan. Untuk mendukung pemerintah dalam menentukan prioritas penanganan kemiskinan secara efektif dan efisien, diperlukan sistem pendukung keputusan. Penelitian ini memiliki tujuan untuk merancang sistem pendukung keputusan berbasis TOPSIS yang efisien dan mampu memberikan rekomendasi terbaik berdasarkan beberapa kriteria utama: jumlah penduduk, Tingkat pengangguran, upah minimum, PDRB, dan jumlah penduduk miskin. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa Kota Semarang memiliki tingkat kemiskinan terendah dengan nilai preferensi tertinggi (0,686725), sedangkan Kabupaten Brebes memiliki tingkat kemiskinan tertinggi dengan nilai preferensi terendah (0,154773). Validasi metode TOPSIS yang diterapkan dalam sistem ini mencapai tingkat akurasi sebesar 77,17% yang menunjukkan bahwa hasil pemeringkatan konsisten dengan keselarasan signifikan antara hasil sistem dan kondisi riil. Dengan demikian, sistem pendukung keputusan ini memberikan kontribusi nyata dalam mengklasifikasi wilayah berdasarkan tingkat kemiskinan, sehingga dapat menjadi alat bantu strategi dalam perencanaan program Pembangunan yang lebih tepat sasaran.

The National Health Insurance (JKN) program is a strategic initiative by the Indonesian government to ensure accessible and affordable healthcare for all citizens. Based on literature review and analysis of secondary data, the JKN program significantly contributes to reducing direct household health expenditures (Out-of-Pocket/OOP), particularly among low-income and vulnerable populations. However, several challenges remain, including additional outlays for uncovered services such as non-generic medications and inpatient class upgrades, as well as limitations in health infrastructure. Furthermore, the integration of digital technology through the JKN Mobile application demonstrates a high level of effectiveness in administrative efficiency and user participation. This platform has expanded healthcare accessibility and improved user satisfaction, although digital literacy and technological disparities persist. Hence, strengthening technology-based policies and conducting regular evaluations are essential for ensuring the sustainability and equity of the JKN program implementation.

Science continues to advance over time. This development has led to the birth of various new technologies that mark the progress of the times. Currently, technology has entered the digital era, where almost all areas of life are beginning to utilize these advances to increase work efficiency and effectiveness. In Indonesia, digital transformation has also penetrated various sectors, including education. This change presents a significant opportunity for the world of education to expand access, improve the quality of learning, and encourage innovation in teaching methods. As an entity closely linked to human culture and civilization, education has undergone significant changes in the era of globalization. The use of digital technologies, such as online learning, learning management systems (LMS), and interactive media, has become an integral part of the educational process. This not only facilitates the delivery of material but also opens up more flexible and inclusive learning opportunities for various levels of society. However, behind these opportunities, challenges also arise, such as disparities in technology access, low digital literacy in some communities, and the need to adapt curricula and teaching methods to be relevant to current developments. Therefore, the success of educational transformation in the digital era depends not only on the availability of technology but also on the readiness of human resources, including educators and students, to optimize its use. Therefore, the development of digital science and technology has become a driving force for global educational change. Education is required to adapt quickly and accurately to produce a generation that is not only academically intelligent.

The phenomenon of school dropout remains a serious issue in Indonesia’s education system, particularly in urban poor areas such as Kampung Petukangan, East Jakarta. This study aims to understand how poverty, both in its absolute and relative forms, contributes to children's decisions to leave school, as well as how the education system plays a role in reproducing social inequality. Using a qualitative approach with in-depth interviews and limited participant observation, the research was conducted with five informants, consisting of school dropouts and their parents. The analysis draws on Pierre Bourdieu’s theoretical concepts, including habitus, capital, field, symbolic violence, and social reproduction. The findings indicate that dropping out of school is not merely an individual decision, but the result of a complex interaction between economic structures, the habitus of poor families, a lack of social and cultural capital, and symbolic mechanisms within the education system that subtly exclude disadvantaged children. Instead of serving as a tool for social mobility, school functions as an arena that reproduces class inequality across generations.

Zakat fitrah adalah salah satu kewajiban utama dalam ajaran Islam yang memiliki aspek spiritual dan sosial. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis zakat fitrah dari sudut pandang fiqih Islam, dengan menitikberatkan pada tiga pokok bahasan: kewajiban, waktu pelaksanaan, dan mekanisme penyalurannya. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif kualitatif melalui metode studi pustaka, yang merujuk pada literatur klasik (kutub al-turats) maupun kontemporer dalam fiqih Islam dari berbagai mazhab. Temuan menunjukkan bahwa zakat fitrah merupakan kewajiban individu (fardhu ‘ain) yang wajib ditunaikan oleh setiap Muslim yang mampu, sebagai bentuk pembersihan diri serta solidaritas sosial. Waktu pelaksanaannya telah ditentukan secara khusus, dimulai sejak awal bulan Ramadhan hingga sebelum salat Idulfitri, dengan waktu terbaiknya adalah malam hingga pagi hari sebelum salat dilaksanakan. Dalam distribusinya, mayoritas ulama berpendapat bahwa zakat fitrah harus disalurkan kepada pihak yang berhak (mustahik), terutama fakir dan miskin, dalam bentuk bahan makanan pokok sesuai kebiasaan masyarakat setempat, meskipun sebagian ulama memperbolehkan dalam bentuk uang. Studi ini menekankan pentingnya pemahaman fiqih yang mendalam agar zakat fitrah dapat berfungsi secara optimal sebagai sarana keadilan sosial dan penyucian jiwa dalam kehidupan masyarakat.

This studyaims to examine the economic activities of low-income communities and identify factors that influence these activities in Tamaila Utara Village,Tolangohula Sub-district,Gorontalo Regency. The study employed a qualitative method using a systematic approach. Data collection techniques included observation, interview, and source triangulation.Data analysis involved data reduction followed by drawing conclusions. The findings indicate that most low-income residents in Tamaila Utara rely on agriculture, particularly corn farming, as their primary livelihood. Farming activities are supported by family members due to limited financial capacity to hire labor, and the tools used are still very simple or traditional. For crop distribution,the community depends on local traders who offer prices significantly lower than market rates, due to limited transportation access to larger markets. In terms of consumption,residents can only meet their basic needs, with low nutritional intake due to minimal income. Other challenges to improving the local economy include water scarcity during the dry season, low educational attainment among farmers,lack of government-provided training, and unpredictable weather and environmental conditions. Therefore,government support is urgently needed,such as irrigation development, agricultural training, and the provision of modern tools or technology to enhance community welfare in the future.

This study aims to examine the influence of the number of poor people, average years of schooling, and labor force participation rate on the open unemployment rate (OUR) in Maluku Province from 2017 to 2023. The study uses panel data from 11 districts/cities and applies a regression model using a fixed effect approach. The results show that the average years of schooling have a positive and significant effect on the open unemployment rate. This implies that the longer an individual pursues education, the higher the likelihood of unemployment, as they tend to have higher job expectations and are less willing to accept available jobs. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate has a negative and significant effect, indicating that a higher number of actively working individuals leads to a lower unemployment rate. The number of poor people does not have a significant effect on unemployment. Overall, the model explains approximately 53.5% of the variation in the open unemployment rate. These findings indicate that education and labor participation are crucial factors in reducing unemployment, but must be supported by the availability of suitable employment opportunities.

An advocate is a legal professional who provides legal services both inside and outside the courtroom based on statutory law. During the Dutch colonial era, legal representation by advocates was extremely expensive, making it accessible only to individuals of high social status. At that time, indigenous people, who were generally impoverished, could not afford legal representation. However, this situation has changed with the enactment of Law No. 16 of 2011 on Legal Aid. This law guarantees the constitutional right of every individual to receive free and quality legal assistance, especially for underprivileged communities, through Legal Aid Posts (Posbakum). Advocates working at Posbakum help marginalized individuals understand their rights, provide legal consultations, and prepare essential legal documents.

Poverty is a multidimensional problem that is not only related to economic aspects, but also social, cultural, and political, which affects the welfare of poor families. The Family Hope Program (PKH) in Makassar City is designed as a conditional social assistance program that aims to improve the welfare of poor families through the provision of financial assistance and increased access to basic services. This study aims to explore the role of social companions in building trust, factors that affect the participation of poor families, and obstacles in the implementation of PKH. The method used was descriptive qualitative with subjects of 10 beneficiary families and 3 social companions, data was collected through semi-structured interviews and participatory observations, then analyzed thematically using an inductive approach. The results of the study show that social companions play a crucial role as communication mediators who build trust through an empathetic and familial approach, which strengthens the sense of belonging to the program. Family participation is influenced by social capital, local cultural norms, education levels, as well as bureaucratic constraints and access to services. Barriers such as social stigma, complicated bureaucracy, and limited companion training hinder the effectiveness of the program. Habermas's theory of communicative action and Durkheim's social solidarity support the finding that open dialogue and harmonious relationships between companions and families are key to successful social empowerment. It was concluded that strengthening the capacity of companions, simplifying bureaucracy, and increasing participatory dialogue spaces are needed to increase the effectiveness and sustainability of PKH in Makassar.