The UN Reviews Progress on the MDGs In September, 2010, the United Nations will conduct a critical review of progress toward the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s),a key agenda item in its development agenda. "With only six years until the 2015 deadline, the time is short. We must seize this historic moment to act responsibly and decisively for the common good,"
With these words, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon strongly urged Governments to engage constructively in their preparations for a high-level meeting in September 2010. Progress that continues to be threatened by the ongoing global economic crisis. In some cases, responses to the crisis, such as protectionist measures and new restrictions on migration, are compounding the risks. Pressures on donor countries to cut their aid budgets will limit the resources available to developing countries, which in turn will face further difficulties in tackling the crisis and providing for the needs of their people. Since the Goals were adopted in 2000, there definitely has been progress in a number of areas, including poverty and hunger reduction, universal access to education and gender equality. But the economic crisis threatens to undermine and reverse these hard-won gains. Without a strong and concerted international response, the crisis will continue to be a major development emergency. At a briefing for NGOs this week, the deputy director of the UN Millennium Campaign spoke of the important role of Civil Society in preparing for the September MDG Review. The Review will be country specific, and evidence will be key. For example, why are some countries making progress, and others not? What are the specific factors influencing success, or failure? Are human rights abuses a reason for lack of progress? Is aid money getting to the people – or is it lining the pockets of corrupt officials? Governments will issue their own reports to state their case. However, shadow reports prepared by NGOs and other segments of civil society will likely tell another, more accurate story. The challenge for NGOs is to mobilize their networks on the ground to become engaged in tracking their country’s progress, or lack thereof. There are too many “Haitis” in our world today. Each one of us needs to consider what role we can play in helping to turn the tide. |
Vincentians Spare No Effort in Achieving the Millennium Development Goals
Homeless People's Federation (Philippines) demonstrates that change is possible. It demonstrates further that poor comminities can take the lead in creating answers to the overwhelming problems of poverty and homelessness in the Philippines' cities. When organizations of the poor are centrally involved planning which affects their lives, it is good for the poor, good for the cities, good for everyone.
“Project DREAM,” is a program whose objective is to prevent the spread of AIDS. “Project DREAM” began in Mozambique in 2002 and has had a 97% success rate in the prevention of transmission of the virus of HIV-AIDS by mothers to newborns. From Mozamnique, Project Dream has expanded, and is now established in Nigeria, Kenya, Cameroon and the Congo.
AKAMASOA (meaning "good friends") is a humanitarian association from Madagascar born to fight against poverty, and enabling the economic and social reinsertion of the poorest. Akamasoa has created around Antananarivo 5 reception centres composed of 17 villages where 2,926 families have settled (15,560 people, of which over 60% are children under 15).
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