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The Millennium Development Goals: Introduction and historical process

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are commonly described as a “roadmap for world development by 2015”. They embody the core content of the current development agenda of “global governance”. They are treated as the current framework of international development cooperation, to which there would allegedly be no alternative. All countries and development agents have so far proven to comply with this framework, reasoning and operating “inside the box”. The MDG framework will remain valid until at least 2015, the “target date” established for its implementation. Although not a legally binding instrument, nor even a formal UN resolution, the MDG framework has in practice acquired a politically and morally compelling character.

What is the origin and history of the MDGs?

In the 1990s, UN member states went through an intense, historically unprecedented UN conference process, aimed at “building consensus” on development priorities for the 21st century. A consensus was proclaimed, even if the acrimonious debates that marked some of the conferences (1994 Cairo conference on population and 1995 Beijing conference on women in particular) were proof of the fakeness of the consensus. At the end of the 1990s, governments experienced “conference fatigue”, and those actors at the rudder of global governance feared the process launched by the conferences was losing steam.

The year 2000 was an opportunity the UN did not want to miss to reengage governments. Under the influence of the UN Secretariat, at the Millennium Summit held in New-York in September 2000, 189 UN member-states adopted the Millennium Declaration – a declaration which ideologically builds on the conference process of the 1990s. The Declaration, signed by 147 heads of states, substantially draws from the UN Secretary General Millennium Report published in April 2000, We the Peoples: The Role of the United Nations in the 21st Century. The history of the intergovernmental Declaration reveals the key role played by the UN Secretariat in the drafting process, which raises the question: does the Declaration express the views of sovereign governments and the will of the people these governments represent, or those of the experts consulted by the UN Secretariat?

A year later, in August 2001, the UN Secretariat published the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The goals were devised, not by governments through an open debate as would have been desirable, if the goals were to express the will of the people in developing countries, but by a “working committee drawn from a range of UN bodies, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, UNICEF, the Population Fund and the World Health Organization, as well as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development” (1). The goals were not the object of a formal resolution of the UN General Assembly, but it was taken for granted that they reformulated the intergovernmental Declaration and were to frame international development cooperation until 2015. The history of the goals’ origin makes it clear that they are not, strictly speaking, an intergovernmental product, but an initiative driven by the UN Secretariat and its “experts”: a fuzzy, “formal-informal” situation.

The MDG process

The UN Secretary General invited heads of state and government for a Summit at the opening of the General Assembly in September 2005 in New-York, in order to review progress towards the goals. 170 heads of state and government participated in the event. On September 20-22, 2010, a UN High Level Plenary Meeting of the UN General Assembly on MDGs will take place.

Ever since 2005, the UN Secretariat has issued a yearly Millennium Development Goals Report. The report is based on a master set of data compiled by an Inter-Agency and Expert Group on MDG Indicators, led by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the UN Secretariat.

In 2002, the UN Secretary General commissioned the Millennium Project, an independent advisory body, to develop a concrete action plan for the world to achieve the MDGs. In 2005, the Millennium Project, directed by economist Jeffrey Sachs, presented its final recommendations to the Secretary General in a report entitled Investing in Development – A Practical Plan to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals. As of January 1st, 2007, the advisory work formerly carried out by the Millennium Project is being continued by an MDG support team integrated under the UN Development Program (UNDP). The UNDP, which is present in 166 countries, now plays a central role in tracking the MDGs (global progress, country progress and UNDP’s work with donors), campaigning and mobilizing, researching and sharing best strategies, and supporting governments in operational activities.

The MDGs inspires a global lobby, the Endpoverty2015 millennium campaign, which describes itself as a “growing global movement of people who are demanding that their government honor their commitments to achieve the MDGs by 2015” (2).

The history of the MDG process since its origin reveals that sovereign governments are not in the driver’s seat, but are themselves driven by a host of “partners” whose identity often remains nebulous: experts appointed or consulted by the UN Secretariat, statisticians, the UN Secretariat and other UN bodies, other international organizations, financial institutions, bilateral agencies, the “private sector”, NGOs and pressure groups… This tacit acceptance of governance by experts, not by the people for the people, is a symptom of the current western crisis of democracy. The West exports its crisis to global governance. As a consequence, global governance processes such as the MDGs tend to often be opaque – a situation which facilitates power-grab by special interest groups.

Nigeria and the MDGs: Where We Are and How YOU Can Make A Difference
Posted on Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010 at 12:01 AM

By Shade Anozie

On September 20-22, World Leaders including a group of representatives from Nigeria (President Goodluck Jonathan withdrew his commitment to attend a few days ago), will attend the UN Summit on the Millennium Development Goals, which will be held in New York. It will be a chance for the government to accelerate the progress or lack thereof towards the MDGs especially when in Nigeria, a country with a population of more than 150 million citizens and counting, despite earnings of more than $300 billion from oil revenue, Nigerians remain among the poorest in the world. Such findings reveal the reality of life in Nigeria whereby 92% and 71% of the population live on less than $2 per day and $1 per day respectively.

Furthermore, as of 2008, the major source of water for drinking and cooking for 28.4% of Nigerians is a bore hole hand pump. 97% of 17-22 year old Hausa girls from poor homes have fewer than two years of education; presently, 25 seats are held by women in the national parliament, for men it is 333; the percentage of women in 2008, between the ages of 15-24 years old, who used condoms at their last high risk sexual encounter was 35.5%; the percentage of children under 5 years of age with a fever who are treated with appropriate anti-malarial drugs as of 2008 was 33.2%; and as of 2009, 13% of terrestrial and marine areas are protected.

What does this mean? It means that the Nigerian government is woefully behind in achieving the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals. For those who are unaware, in 2000, world leaders met in New York City to adopt the United Nations Millennium Declaration, committing their nations to a global partnership to reduce poverty, and agreed to a time-frame for ending global poverty and other issues by 2015, which are known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). There are 8 MDGs which range from eradicating poverty and hunger, promoting gender equality and empowering women, ensuring environmental stability, reducing child mortality, to combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.

Although in some African countries pockets of success stories have emerged, many countries like Nigeria still remain off track to meeting the goals by 2015. According to the UN, Nigeria is off track to eradicating extreme poverty, reducing child mortality, and improving maternal health. Why this is the case, despite all the wealth in the country, is quite baffling. The Nigerian government obviously knows what is necessary to achieve the MDGs; the issue is how willing are they to do so? That said, the truth is the Nigerian government cannot do it alone. As Nigerians, we also have a role to play.

The question now becomes how can we as Nigerians aid the government in getting back on track to achieving the MDGs? I compiled a couple of suggestions, some of which I believe are often overlooked, that I think will help us aid the government in achieving the MDGs by 2015 and beyond. Before I commence, I will preface this by saying I am not an economist, public health official, or professor of sorts. These suggestions and observations are a result of research, discourse with fellow Nigerians and academics, and the volunteer work I am currently involved in.

What the Nigerian populace can do to assist the government in achieving the MDGs:
1) Have a deep love for the country: I understand that Nigeria and the government has hardly shown that it cares about its people: from the Jos crisis, the slow response by the Nigerian police to armed robbery attacks, to the death traps known as roads that we use, loving Nigeria is daunting. However, we need to start somewhere. For one, recognize that if Nigeria fails, we all fail. It’s that simple. Which is why despite the annoying level of ethnocentrism that abounds among some citizens in western countries, I do admire the fact that a love for and pride in the country is often a root cause. Nonetheless, I will concede that the surge of “Nigerianitis fever” that has taken over Nigerians in recent times is a positive step forward.

2) Support and have a mutual respect for each other: Nigerians must support and love each other. The disheartening level of disregard and animosity that pervades the way we think and behave towards each other must cease. For example, it is not unheard of for expatriates hired by some companies in Nigeria to have access to chefs, nannies, drivers, choice residential areas, a standard of living that most may never be privy to in their home countries. While a Nigerian who might be equally qualified is provided with lesser perks or languishes in poverty. What makes this acceptable? We need to end our reverence for all things foreign as being superior. Until we address the inferiority complex syndrome that abounds and stop the trend of allowing other countries and divisive leaders to take advantage of us, Nigeria can never progress and achieve the MDGs, which I believe requires unity among citizens.

3) Get Involved: Nigeria’s inability to achieve the MDGs is a political as well as a civilian issue. First, Nigerians need to be aware of who their leaders are in order to keep them accountable. Second, lobby them and go out and vote. Understandably, the history of free and fair elections in Nigeria is depressing in itself, but it is imperative that we make our voices heard. Like fellow Nigerians did in March with the “Enough is Enough” protest, we need to take a proactive stance on pertinent issues and develop a culture of volunteerism. When we get involved, it will be preposterous for individuals like IBB to say that “the younger generation cannot rule Nigeria.” We also need to continue writing articles and op-eds in newspapers about the MDGs. We can take a cue from Banky W and Reuben Atiba or Bayo Oluphonda’s open letter to IBB.

4) Keep each other accountable: The 6th MDG of combating infectious diseases can be fostered by advocating a practical stance towards hygiene that is not solely applicable to ourselves, friends, and families, but also to the environment we are situated. This will prevent the spread of infectious diseases and increases the efficacy of treatment if localized. In addition to the risk of spreading deadly diseases, thousands of people put their lives at risk on the freeways to pick up our litter and trash, as such, we need to stop littering, throwing trash on the roadside and bridges or peeing on the street or in gutters.

5) Form organizations, eschew sexism and cultivate a habit of giving to those in need:
We need not donate millions of naira before we help those in need. Sometimes, all it takes is something little like what Tari Ekiyor did in the Mohammed Lawal story. Often, little things can make the most difference. Groups of friend or concerned Nigerians can join hands and raise funds to buy and donate food and clothes to children and families who live under the bridge or are homeless. Small but impactful. We can also form organizations or NGOs that can be used as a platform or tool to source for funds that will aid in tackling the various MDGs or serve as government watchdogs. Keeping in line with the 3rd MDG of promoting gender equality and empowering women, we must encourage young girls to get an education and aspire to positions of leadership. Current President of Liberia and Africa’s only female president, Ellen Shirleaf Taylor, was born in poverty. But her parents urged her to further her education which in turn broadened her scope on life and paved the way for her to become a great leader. Moreover, given the numerous reports that show that thousands of households in Nigeria are now being supported by women, it is essential for women to get a good education and job so that they can have a good standard of living and support their families. When you educate a woman, you educate a nation!

Effecting change, is not easy. We will feel like giving up. But we must be cognizant that Nigeria’s success is contingent on our hard work, unity, sacrifice and persistence. We cannot afford to remain complacent and yet continue to complain about the state of the country. The African proverb says it best, “Where you will sit when you are old shows where you stood in youth.”

Where would you like to sit when you are old?

The 8 Millennium Development Goals:
1) Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2) Achieve universal primary education
3) Promote gender equality and empower women
4) Reduce child mortality
5) Improve maternal health
6) Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
7) Ensure environmental stability
8) Develop a global partnership for development

Interested in making a difference, check out the following links:
1) Stand Up Against Poverty Take Action 2010! – http://standagainstpoverty.org/suap/
2) Join the Millennium Campaign – http://www.endpoverty2015.org/
3) Submit a song against poverty – http://www.ifightpoverty.eu/act/music-contest
4) Become a UN citizen ambassador – http://www.un.org/wcm/content/site/citizenambassadors/

The Millennium Declaration and Development Goals: A Blueprint for Progress

In September of 2000 the largest gathering of world leaders in human history gathered for the Millennium Summit at United Nations headquarters in New York. In that pivotal year, representatives from 189 Member States of the United Nations met to reflect on their common destiny. The nations were interconnected as never before, with increased globalization promising faster growth, higher living standards and new opportunities.

Yet their citizens’ lives were starkly disparate. As some States looked ahead to prosperity and global cooperation, many barely had a future, being mired in miserable, unending conditions of poverty, conflict and a degraded environment.

To begin addressing these crises back in 2000, the convened leaders set down the Millennium Declaration, a series of collective priorities for peace and security, poverty reduction, the environment and human rights – essential steps for the advancement of humankind, as well as for the immediate survival for a significant portion of it. Human development, they agreed, is the key to sustaining social and economic progress in all countries, as well as contributing to global security.

But how would the world community achieve these priorities? Following further meetings with many world agencies, the delegation also drew up a blueprint for a better future: the Millennium Development Goals. By 2015, the leaders pledged, the world would achieve measurable improvements in the most critical areas of human development. The goals establish yardsticks for measuring these results, not just for developing countries but for countries that help to fund development programmes and for the multilateral institutions, like the World Bank or the United Nations Development Programme, that help countries implement them.

The Millennium Development Goals Set Priorities for Children

Though the Goals are for all humankind, they are primarily about children. Why:

Because six of the eight goals relate directly to children. Meeting the last two will also make critical improvements in their lives.

Because meeting the Goals is most critical for children. Children are most vulnerable when people lack essentials like food, water, sanitation and health care. They are the first to die when basic needs are not met.

Because children have rights. Each child is born with the right to survival, food and nutrition, health and shelter, an education, and to participation, equality and protection – rights agreed to, among others, in the 1989 international human rights treaty the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Millennium Development Goals must be met for these basic human rights to be realized.

Because reducing poverty starts with children. Helping children reach their full potential is also investing in the very progress of humanity. For it is in the crucial first years that interventions make the biggest difference in a child’s physical, intellectual and emotional development. And investing in children means achieving development goals faster, as children constitute a large percentage of the world’s poor.

That’s where UNICEF comes in. As a UN organization, UNICEF is the only inter-governmental agency devoted exclusively to children and is mandated by the world’s governments to promote and protect children’s rights and their well being. Along with other UN agencies and global partners, UNICEF has taken the Goals as part of its mandate. From working with local policymakers toward health care and education reform to delivering vaccines, each UNICEF action is a step toward a Millennium Development Goal.

the world we desired

GOAL 8:
DEVELOP A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT
2013 Fact Sheet PDF document
Target 8.A:
Develop further an open, rule-based, predictable, non-discriminatory trading and financial system

* Despite the pledges by G20 members to resist protectionist measures initiated as a result of the global financial crisis, only a small percentage of trade restrictions introduced since the end of 2008 have been eliminated. The protectionist measures taken so far have affected almost 3 per cent of global trade.

Target 8.B:
Address the special needs of least developed countries

* Tariffs imposed by developed countries on products from developing countries have remained largely unchanged since 2004, except for agricultural products.
* Bilateral aid to sub-Saharan Africa fell by almost 1 per cent in 2011.
* There has been some success of debt relief initiatives reducing the external debt of heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs) but 20 developing countries remain at high risk of debt distress.

Target 8.C:
Address the special needs of landlocked developing countries and small island developing States

* Aid to landlocked developing countries fell in 2010 for the first time in a decade, while aid to small island developing States increased substantially.

Target 8.D:
Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries

* At this time, it appears developing countries weathered the 2009 economic downtown and in 2011 the debt to GDP ratio decreased for many developing countries. Vulnerabilities remain. Expected slower growth in 2012 and 2013 may weaken debt ratios.

Target 8.E:
In cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, provide access to affordable essential drugs in developing countries

* Resources available for providing essential medicines through some disease-specific global health funds increased in 2011, despite the global economic downturn.
* There has been little improvement in recent years in improving availability and affordability of essential medicines in developing countries.

Target 8.F:
In cooperation with the private sector, make available benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications

* 74 per cent of inhabitants of developed countries are Internet users, compared with only 26 per cent of inhabitants in developing countries.
* The number of mobile cellular subscriptions worldwide by the end of 2011 reached 6 billion.

Monitoring aid delivery

* The Integrated Implementation Framework (IIF) was developed to record and monitor financial as well as policy commitments made in support of the MDGs by UN Member States and other international stakeholders.
culled for un.org

mdgs

Good morning peep it a wonderful wednesday morning do have a great day

How can we meaning fully participate in achieving MDGs goal as NYSC members

Verodinesley Emerald WROTE

Thanks very much for your reply. it shows that you are really listening.

My number one issue is my curiosity.
The trainee or should I say the organisation did not give any room for patriotic Nigerians to participate. This is what I mean. Those who participated from Borno camp in Benue State are those who shows no interest in serving the father land {those who refuse to participate in parade, sanitations and other activities} while those who are commited in ensuring success of the program are not given a chance.

My Number Two Isssue is My Observation.

I wished I had participated not because of rewards though it encourages one.
Some that participated says they did it for the Certificate and membership not actually for any commitment while some others involve themselves just to avoid the clarion call {The trainings from the soldiers, Man O'War and groups duties} as they call it. Of course, they qualify for the benefits because they have evidence {certificate and Kits}

What about Passion?

when the people involved shows no passion for the job they are about to embark on, how can they be fruitful in the result.

What do you expect if what captivate them is entertainment in the lecture and the promise of what they are to gain and not the desire to affect life of those who are adversely affected by negative economic situations and health conditions.

The aim of the MDGs is to encourage
development by improving social
and economic conditions in the
world's poorest countries. They
derive from earlier international
development targets, and were
officially established following the
Millennium Summit in 2000, where
all world leaders in attendance
adopted the United Nations
Millennium Declaration.

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