The importance of the ideas found in “freedom from want” is demonstrated by the countless efforts to aggressively address life threatening issues of development. The United Nation’s Conferences in the past and preset have continually tried to address issues of development but have been unsuccessful until now. Conferences such as the Rio de Janeiro and The World Summit on Sustainable Development have made proposals and declarations for the improvement of development, but little progress has been made. Both declarations tried to combat issues of environmental degradation, education and poverty but were unable to hold rich nations accountable to promises made during the conferences. With the support of “freedom of want” presented in the Millennium Declaration, General Annan has the opportunity to increase the involvement of the rich nations and hold them accountable for agreements made. In his report to the General Assembly, he explains that it is an important mission of the world leaders to reduce poverty. He says, “The world’s leaders identified world poverty as the most daunting of all the problems facing the world in the new century.” (Annan’s M.D. report p.8) General Annan the goes on to address globalization effect on development, he wishes to “ensure that globalization becomes a positive force for all of the world’s people.” (Annan’s M.D. report p.8)
Although rebels and internal wars have claimed millions of lives, “Nearly 800 million people suffer from chronic hunger and half a million women die in pregnancy or childbirth each year, one every minute of every day” (Human Development Report 2003). The disarmament of nations and peace keeping operations within the United Nations are programs that would be highlighted throughout the “freedom of fear” goal of the Millennium Declaration, but the question of what causes these problems must be addressed. Reviewing the history of UN peacekeeping operations and countries currently in civil war, these revolutions have resulted from the horrific treatment of the nation’s poorest people. If states provided its citizens with basic human necessities, the concerns addressed within “freedom from fear” would be lessened.
States denying their citizens’ basic needs, while financial institutions encourage developing nations to cut social programs is potential for the advancement of terrorists and rebel organizations. South Africa for example is seen as the most economically stable African country, but the country continues to struggle with homelessness, people suffering from malnutrition and curable diseases. These global citizens are denied the opportunity to live free from disease and hunger forcing them to come together to fight the system that has oppressed them. In “The End of History,” Fukuyama explains, the end of history or major conflicts between nations is due to the elimination of things that we were willing to fight over, wealth and the desire to be free. The global problems addressed by “freedom of want” will significantly lessen the issue of violence within the values of “freedom of fear.” Deprived peoples are more likely to cooperate with governmental agencies if they are offered an adequate living environment. In order to prevent conflict there must be balanced economic development.
As globalization advances and the global community moves further into a borderless world, the developmental problems effecting one country can substantially affect another. “Freedom from want” should be a prime focus for not only developing countries, but economically stable nations as well. According to the Millennium declaration, “Globally, the 1 billion people living in developed countries earn 60% of the world’s income, while the 3.5 billion people in low income countries earn less than 20%.” (w.un.org/millennium/sg/report/) The report then goes on to explain inequality among nations and how everyone should contribute to global development. Rich nations in particular are often responsible for the most contribution, but are not unaffected by developmental problems. The flow of bodies and capital among nations leaves the entire universal community vulnerable to diseases and infections caused by low living standards in developing countries. Recently, the Chinese SARS outbreak has transcended boarders and heightened health awareness in the global community. This case is similar to others, because of the close connection between nations; it is in the entire community’s interest to control infections diseases throughout the world.
Concluding, the values addressed in Secretary General Kofi Annan’s “freedom from want” have significant priority over the second pillar, “freedom from fear.” The global community as a whole has continually discussed problems of development and the lack of basic necessities by more than 4 million people in the world. Issues of HIV/AIDS, sanitation, hunger, and poverty etcetera have been raised in previous United Nation declarations such as the Rio de Janeiro and the World Summit on Sustainable Development symbolizing “freedom from want” as an important issue on the global agenda. As a result of globalization, the transfer of bodies across boarders has raised the importance to implement plans within “freedom from want.” Every day at least one person dies due to a curable disease, although this issue may seem isolated from the developed world, they too must be concerned about disease control. The outbreak of diseases such as SARS and HIV/AIDS in both developed and Third World countries has proved that all classes of nations are at risk. The pillar of “freedom from want’ supported by richest and the poorest in the global, and is more important than “freedom from fear.”
