The Millennium Development Goals

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Table of Contents

Thesis Statement
Introduction
Background
Globalization Issues
Analysis
Recommendations for Action
Conclusion
References

Thesis Statement

The Millennium Development Goals are the eight objectives, which are intended to improve the well being and stability in the world. These issues concern the matters of health, poverty eradication, environment and hunger. The purpose of the paper is to analyze the achievements and give the necessary recommendations for the problematic areas.

Introduction

To begin with it is necessary to emphasize that the MDGs are the eight aims which have been planned to be achieved by 2015. These goals were proclaimed in order to respond to the world’s most crucial challenges. These goals are drawn from the actions and goals which are included into the Millennium Declaration, adopted by 189 nations and signed by 147 heads of state and governments during the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 2004). Originally, there are eight main goals which are set up by the nations, and these goals are regarded of the highest priority for the world. These goals are the following:

Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Achieve universal primary education
Promote gender equality and empower women
Reduce child mortality
Improve maternal health
Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Ensure environmental sustainability
Develop a Global Partnership for Development

As for the goals that have been already met, it is necessary to mention that the agricultural sphere is the most highly developed, thus, the goal of eradicating extreme hunger was partly met, and nevertheless, the status of solving this goal is the highest. The appropriate support to agriculture is provided, however, as Satterthwaite (2005) emphasized: “It is imperative to correct the mistakes of the past relating to agricultural policy that led to the abandonment of rural priorities for the benefit of the so-called rationalization of public expenditure and premature liberalization”. Environmental stability is another point which is close to successful solution. The ozone hole is decreasing, the global warming is suspended.

Background

First of all it is necessary to emphasize that in response to the request of the world leaders, the UN Secretary General presented the Road Map Towards the Implementation of the United Nations Millennium Declaration in 2001. This Road Map is the integrated and multi-angle overview of the global situation. This roadmap outlined the strategies, which are intended to solve the problems and meet the goals of the Millennium Declaration. All the eight goals are paid special attention, and special strategy is elaborated. Originally, not every issue is worth attention, as some of them are on the same position as they were before the Road Map adoption. However, the others essentially succeeded. Wright (2007) emphasizes that the road map has been followed up since then with annual reports. In 2002, the annual report focused on progress made in the prevention of armed conflict and the treatment and prevention of diseases, including HIV/AIDS and Malaria. The following destiny of the Road was the following: in 2003, the emphasis was placed on strategies for the economy development and sustainable development. In 2004, the attention was paid to bridging the digital divide and curbing transnational crime.

As for the achievement of the direct goals, the following facts should be emphasized: according to Wright (2007) In sub-Saharan Africa, school fees consume nearly a quarter of a poor family’s income, paying not only for tuition, but also indirect fees such as Parent-Teacher Association and community contributions, textbook fees, compulsory uniforms and other charges. Fees are keeping school children out of the classrooms. The successes in this sphere are essential; nevertheless, there is much to be achieved for the allover success.

As for the issues of maternal health, it should be mentioned that this issue is one of the most challenging, nevertheless, the particular strategies are implemented, and sufficient results have been achieved. Though, the statistics are upsetting (at least two newborns die from different deceases every fifteen seconds in most of the developing countries, and countries of the third world). Cling (2003) claims the following: “Viet Nam’s Ministry of Health has eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus, with support from WHO and UNICEF. A survey conducted by UNICEF, WHO and the Government of Viet Nam in three of Viet Nam’s disadvantaged districts – Bao Yen and Bao Thang in Lao Cai Province, and Phuoc Long in Binh Phuoc Province – showed less than fifteen neonatal death per 1000 live births in 2005”. Nevertheless, the neonatal death is the most challenging issue, which is closely linked not only with the issues of health, but also the issues of poverty and hunger. Still, the healthcare is improving and charity missions are sent on the regular basis by Italian government.

Globalization Issues

It is claimed that Italy is the country with the most extensive support for the globalization. These issues promote cooperation in solving the world problems, and globalization is often regarded as the key to the allover success and blooming. The current Italian government supports the globalization movements and promotes the issues, supported by the G8 (the largest organization, which supports the issues of globalization). Thus, the strategies, which are implemented for the solution of the global problems and achieving the set up goals are widely supported by the Italian government: the charity missions are sent, the financial charity transfers are made on the regular basis (Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 2004). As for the global cooperation issues, which are resorted to as the key for achieving the eight goals, it is necessary to mention that treaties and conventions, which were signed by Italy as the participator of the Global Missions represent its will to contribute to the achievement of the Eight Goals.

Analysis

Taking into account different achievements, the following fact is worth mentioning: “Malaria kills a child in the world every 30 seconds. It infects 350-500 million people each year killing 1 million, mostly children, in Africa. Ninety percent of malaria deaths occur in Africa, where malaria accounts for about one in five of all childhood deaths. The disease also contributes greatly to anemia among children – a major cause of poor growth and development.” (Cling, 2003) In the frames of MDGs, nearly 60% of the required pediatric hospitals have been already created in South Africa.

As for the issues of environment, Cling (2003) states that lots of the environmental issues the world is facing today, from climate change to ozone depletion, are global in nature. With funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UNDP supports international cooperation to promote sustainable development. The GEF is the largest fund for protecting the environment, with UNDP as one of the implementing agencies, along with UNEP and the World Bank. The UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme has funded more than 8,400 projects by non-governmental and community organizations around the world. In 2006, the GEF received its fourth replenishment of US$3 billion from 32 donor countries; the GEF Council approved $203 million in grants for UNDP projects; and UNDP leveraged an additional $500 million in project co-financing from governments and other partners. Wright (2007) in his turn, emphasizes that in lots of States, UNDP already has a long history of working with governments on activities that connect different social and economic sectors. Each UN agency offered specialized skills-UNDP and the ILO on economic growth; UNDP on the environment, decentralization and gender; UNFPA and WHO on health and population; and the FAO and WFP on food security.

Recommendations for Action

The situation with the problematic issues may be improved by adopting additional amendments to the strategy, and taking into account the experience of solving similar issues by separate countries (both, positive and negative). The fact is that, the matters which are linked with health will be the most challenging and difficult to solve, as it is linked not only with the imperfectness of the world health care system and lack of remedies, as well as lack of hospitals. It is linked with the problems of education, hunger (and healthy nutrition in general), and poverty.

Conclusion

Initially, the Eight Goals may be achieved, nevertheless, it is closely linked with essential difficulties and obstacles, which should be taken into account by the strategies, which are elaborated by the countries-participators of the MDGs Road Map.

References

Cling, Jean-Pierre, Mireille Razafindrakoto, and François Roubaud, eds. 2003. New International Poverty Reduction Strategies. New York: Routledge.

Department of Economic and Social Affairs. 2004. Human Development, Health, and Education: Dialogues at the Economic and Social Council. New York: United Nations.

Department of Economic and Social Affairs – Office Forecosoc Support and Coordination. 2004. An Integrated Approach to Rural Development: Dialogues at the Economic and Social Council. New York: United Nations.

Satterthwaite, David. 2005. Meeting the MDGS in Urban Areas: The Forgotten Role of Local Organizations. Journal of International Affairs 58, no. 2: 87.

Wright, Lucas C. 2007. Point: UN MDGS and U.S. Aid to Africa Worthy Causes. International Social Science Review 82, no. 1-2: 73.

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