U.N. Millennium Development Goals Activity

It is often considered that that global targets are easily set, however rarely achieved. So this brings us to the question whether the MDGs are feasible at this point. According to the recently collected data (UN.org), progress is evident in more than 130 countries concerning the reduction of absolute poverty, hunger and AIDS incidence. It is, however, difficult to summarize all the achievements regarding the many dimensions of economic and human development. For each successful achievement a serious of negative outcomes has followed. For example, the rates of child mortality have increased steadily during the past 10 years in Cambodia, Zambia and Kenya (CIA.org); the primary school enrolment indicators show that less people have received education in such countries as Mozambique and Tanzania compared to the previous decades; incidence of hunger has increased significantly in Burkina Faso; access to clean water is becoming a leading problem in many developing nations, and as the result the spread of water-borne diseases spread in the population (Bangladesh). HIV/AIDS rates demonstrate that the taken measures are not strong enough and that its eradication goals seem unrealistic to achieve. The HIV prevalence rate has doubled, triples, quintupled and even increased by 10 times. Still, progress has been made in other fields in many countries. However, in sub Saharan Africa progress has not been present or has been very very slow. All these enumerated problems undermine to a great extent the feasibility of the millennium goals.

U.N.D.P. Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Reduce by half the proportion of people living on less than a dollar a day
Reduce by half the proportion of people who suffer from hunger

Goal 1: According to the data collected by the World Bank in 2002, the average indicator on the quantity of people living below the poverty line has decreased by 7 % over the range of 3 years. This achievement is without doubt, a significant one for the MDGs. However, will the MDGs be attained at this rate if we consider that more than 25 % of the world population still lives are absolute poverty. Furthermore, the majority of the percentage rate accounts for significant poverty eradication in Asia, primarily in China. And this means that still, in the sub-Saharan, Latin American and Middle East regions, changes have been minor. Overall, the information available at our disposal on the improvements in living standards of the world population is not a reliable source. Therefore, it cannot be argued that the world is on its way to eliminating poverty by 50% by the set time. We, as a group, came to a conclusion, that more would be achieved if the reduction of poverty goals has been carried out on an individual-nation level, one step at a time. And this way, by consolidating the economic position of one country at a time, more efforts could be aimed towards helping the other nations. Also, steps have to be taken to make sure that aid efforts actually reach the people they are trying to reach. Much of this money goes to waste or is pocketed by various organizations and governments and the actual amount of money that reaches the people is tiny.

U.N.D.P. Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education

Ensure that all boys and girls complete a full course of primary education

U.N.D.P. Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women

Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education preferably by 2005, and at all levels by 2015.

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U.N.D.P. Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education

Ensure that all boys and girls complete a full course of primary education

U.N.D.P. Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women

Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education preferably by 2005, and at all levels by 2015.

Goal 2 and Goal 3: In many nations, particularly in the Middle East, women have little control over their lives and lack of authority in the society. This primarily accounts for cultural beliefs set in the region, and are not often considered as an undevelopment issue. However, in other parts of the world, people just simply do not have the access to the educational institutions. Even with the will to receive an education, they can do little about it and, thus, a majority of the population remains illiterate. As the goals were primarily set in 1990, it was mutually agreed that basic education conditions should be improved and education should be available to all strata of the society, despite differences in incomes. Therefore, it is important that primary education remains a public good within developing nations. Primarily, the education goal was set to be achieved by the year 2000, however by that time, the progress rates remained slow, so the target was moved to 2015. However, with the situation that prevails now, it is estimated that the set goals will only be achieved by the year 2030. This primarily accounts for the steady growing rates of population in developing nations. This factor requires additional spending and investment in education. And with the limited budget aimed for financing LDC's, this creates a serious of problems for the MDGs to be met. Education is a key factor for further sustainable economic development of each nation. Furthermore, equal rights for women in education and other social areas is also important, because women with education are usually more self-confident, and the chance that her children get an education increases. At the current situation, gender discrimination in primary school enrolment remains a concern in several countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and the Middle East and North Africa. The U.N. still seems far away from reaching either of these two goals. Countries are lacking resources and infrastructure improvement plans. Even if they have the plans they don’t have the resources or funds to put their plans into practice. Therefore, focus has to shift to these sectors. Even still, they seem unlikely to be fulfilled.

U.N.D.P. Goal 4: Reduce child mortality

Reduce by two thirds the mortality rate among children under five.

U.N.D.P. Goal 5: Improve maternal health

Reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio

Goal 4 and Goal 5: According to the source of UN, over 10 million children died in 2000 of preventable diseases. Meanwhile, the world is not on track to achieving the goal of reducing the mortality rates. Meeting this target will require concentrating the attention on the sub-Saharan region, where the highest mortality rates remain a huge problem. Also, immunization is required for approaching the set goal. This will reduce the incidences of measles and malaria. The process of vaccination has only been reached to required levels in Latin America and East Asia. Furthermore, malnutrition can be preventable at this point. Massive investment in medical services and human capital is required. Achieving this goal is restrained by the limited budget. Also, total cooperation is needed by pharmaceutical companies and governments and international organizations to make sure these goals are met. A massive increase in investment is needed for these 2 goals as are for all the goals. In some areas these two goals might still be met. But for most areas especially sub – Saharan Africa is looks a dire prospect.

U.N.D.P. Goal 6: Combat HIV / AIDS, malaria and other diseases

Halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV / AIDS
Halt and begin to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases.

Goal 6: Right now, AIDS is the most serious obstacle to the MDGs. Since first cases of HIV were reported, it has spread all over the world, and is on the rise especially in underdeveloped nations. It is the leading cause of death in LDCs. Elimination of AIDS is not attainable at this point. The majority of the infected belong to the age group of people between 15 and 24. Education is important to at least decrease the incidence of AIDS, this requires investment in the educational sector. Globally, no progress has been made towards the target of reducing the HIV prevalence among young people. Preventing these diseases from taking place will lead to healthier people everywhere. The healthier one is, the more productive that person is. This can only help development. I believe the most important development goal is to improve health standards in all the L.D.C.’s. Countries have to improve sex awareness and the possible consequences of sex. Governments should provide free condoms. Vaccinations should be readily available. However, these things cannot be done if they don’t have the funds to pay for them. Therefore, more funds are needed. If you do not provide the needed funds now, then overall development will not and cannot take place. Furthermore, the funds needed would just increase in the next year and will make it harder for countries to get out of the doldrums and reverse the spread of diseases.

U.N.D.P. Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes; reverse loss of environmental resources.
Reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water
Achieve significant improvement of lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers, by 2020.

Goal 7: At the current rate of progress, this goal is attainable by the set time. Special attention should be placed upon the rural areas of developing countries. So far, the fastest progress was attained in South Asia. Looking at the areas of forests, sanitation, drinking water and slum dwellers and looking at the data provided I would say progress is being made. In some areas it has been the most effective goal. However in other areas such as sub Saharan Africa progress looks slow. The goals are not likely to be met unless quick efforts are made. All the goals could be said to be based on this one. It would definitely provide a suitable comfort zone on which to work at improving other goals. The thinking has to be changed. They need fresh new plans to protect and ensure environmental sustainability. Thinking outside the box is required. And also as with the other goals, steps should be taken to increase funding to improve the infrastructures that these goals are based on.

U.N.D.P. Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development

Develop further an open trading and financial system that is rule – based, predictable and non – discriminatory, includes a commitment to good governance, development and poverty reduction – nationally and internationally.
Address the least developed countries’ special needs. This includes tariff and quota free access for their exports; enhanced debt relief for heavily indebted poor countries; cancellation of official debt; and more generous official development assistance for countries committed to poverty reduction.
Address the special needs of landlocked and small island developing States
Deal comprehensively with developing countries’ debt problems through national and international measures to make debt sustainable in the long term.
In cooperation with the developing countries, develop 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 communications technologies.

Goal 8: L.D.C.’s are not getting enough money. That’s what the problem is in a nutshell. They are supposed to be getting the money they need but are not. This is due to various reasons and has negative consequences. This is the goal that is necessary for all the other goals to be met. Yet still countries are not providing the aid they agreed to. First of all, they signed a contract / deal to provide or work towards providing 0.7% of their G.N.P. as aid. Most countries haven’t worked towards changing it at all. Some countries even complained and denied signing a contract at all. This was promised in 1970 but due to the unwillingness shown by countries has been made into a goal to be completed by 2015. Because countries are not getting enough aid, they are falling lower and lower into the debt trap. Often this debt trap is very difficult to overcome. For example, the total external debt of African countries is close to 1 trillion dollars according to the United Nations progress report. Recently, the United Nations admitted that 40% of the aid it passes on goes to ‘consultants’ and not to where it is supposed to do. This red tape should be destroyed. Also, corruptions in Governments prevent development from taking place. Some countries that do not get aid or enough aid are suffering a lot. Trade barriers have yet to be removed. It is impossible for L.D.C.’s to compete in the world market when their food prices have been excessively increased due to quotas and tariffs. Youth unemployment rates are still increasing. This demonstrates the lack of development taking place. More money would lead to more businesses being set up and more investment and more jobs provided. People ages from 15 – 24 are the ideal group to focus on if jobs are available. A system has to be set up to provide pharmaceutical drugs for L.D.C.’s that need it. Battling diseases such as AIDS / HIV, malaria and Tuberculosis are a mighty challenge that must be taken up immediately and with worldwide cooperation.

From given information it can, therefore, be concluded that the measures proposed for the attainment of MDGs are not likely to meet all the set goals, and that the allocation of financial resources is being inefficiently distributed across the developing countries. Too many goals have been set, nevertheless with a limited budget, these goals will be hard to achieve. Moreover, due to the onset corruption and political instability present in many developing nations, it is important to consider that the financial help sent to these governments is allocated between the required sector rather than the political authorities.

There is a very uneven pattern of progress across nations of different continents. Certain issues are addressed with more emphasis in respect to others. If this tendency prevails, only one of the goals can be met by 2015. The main issue concerned with the MDGs is their affordability. It is obvious, that the budget has to be expanded for more spending and investment to occur. This is an essential problem that slows down the pace of reaching the goals. Otherwise, it can be concluded, that all the goals are feasible, however over a longer term. To reinforce the MDGs, a stronger leadership and more money are essential. There is a gap between the very poor and the not so poor that is taking place. Among the L.D.C.’s sub Saharan Africa was one of the poorest regions. Since the effect of the development has taken place, they are being dragged into higher and higher poverty and in most of the countries of the region are worse off than previously. Efforts have to be taken to make sure that they are not left behind. The U.N. has noticed that they are being left behind and have begun to take steps to help them. However, whether these promises will be met or not is something that remains to be seen. It would help that countries provide aid through the 0.7% of their G.N.P.’s as they had agreed to work towards. All in all, the next 2 or 3 years are extremely crucial in letting us make a statement about whether these goals can be reached or not.