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The first step is to become familiar with the Millennium
Development Goals. At the Millennium Summit held in 2000,
189 heads of Nations committed to work together and create a
healthier, more prosperous and more just world by 2015. They
identified eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that
focus on people-centered improvement both globally and
locally. While the Goals may seem unrealistic, they are
technically and economically possible if governments commit
to implement them through real actions. Part of the Goals is
a partnership between rich and poor countries. Rich
countries promise to deliver more assistance and forgiveness
of debts, more fair trade and technology. Poor countries
pledge to improve the governance of their states,
implementing reform and just law, and channeling their
efforts towards the first seven Goals.
The United States’
role in this effort is crucial. A commitment of .7% - 1% of
our national budget to the fulfillment of the Goals would
have profound effects; currently we devote .15% to foreign
assistance. Many people are skeptical of the success of the
Goals because of the failed programs of the past;
nevertheless, closer partnership and local monitoring could
go a long way to improving effectiveness. Others believe
that the MDGs will build a safer and more peaceful world.
Clearly, the MDGs are one of the major issues of our age.
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger:
Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose
income is less than one dollar a day, and who suffer from
hunger.
2. Achieve universal primary education
Ensure that by 2015 children everywhere, both boys and
girls, will be able to complete a full course of primary
schooling.
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary
education, preferably by 2005, and to all levels of
education no later than 2015.
4. Reduce child mortality
Reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five
mortality rate.
5. Improve maternal health
Reduce by three-quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the
maternal mortality ratio.
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of
HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other major diseases.
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
Integrate the principles of sustainable development into
country policies and programs and reverse the loss of
environmental resources.
8. Develop a global partnership for development
Develop an open, rule-based, predictable, nondiscriminatory
trading and financial system. This includes a commitment to
good governance, development, and poverty reduction – both
nationally and internationally.
Address the special needs of the least developed
countries. This includes: tariff- and quota-free access for
least developed countries’ exports; an enhanced program of
debt relief, cancellation of official bilateral debt;
and more generous assistance for countries committed to poverty
reduction.
Address the special needs of landlocked countries and small
island developing states (through the Program of Action for
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States
and the outcome of the twenty-second special session of the
General Assembly).
Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing
countries through national and international measures in
order to make development sustainable in the long term.
In cooperation with developing countries, develop and
implement strategies for decent and productive work for
youth.
In cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, provide access
to affordable, essential drugs in developing countries.
In cooperation with the private sector, make available the
benefits of new technologies, especially information and
communication.
For more information, visit the web site:
http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/
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