The articles in this Bulletin were presented at a two-day workshop held at the Institute of Development Studies in September, 1995, The workshop considered three themes: 'Understanding Poverty: Meaning and Measurement', 'Poverty and Policy' and 'Aid and Poverty Reduction' and the Bulletin is accordingly grouped into these three sections. The articles in each section do not aim tu provide definitive surveys, but rather focus on selective aspects of the topics concerned. In so doing, a number of key issues relating to the meaning of poverty and its linkages with macroeconomic policy and aid are identified. The policy ramifications and research implications of these issues are also explored.