The United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) A set of 8 goals agreed upon by 189 member countries of the UN that, if achieved, would lift hundreds of millions out of exteme poverty and save the lives of tens of millions.
The MDGS represent the greatest improvement to the human condition we could possibly undertake, creating a more prosperous and more just world.
mdgprogress.org provides a snapshot of the progress towards funding, but also achieving the MDGs. The MDGs are based on a global partnership, stressing the responsibilities of both developing countries for getting their own house in order, and of developed countries for supporting those efforts.
This is a quick reference for those wanting to know how their government is supporting the MDGs (right), and for those that want an idea of the progress that has been made in achieving the MDGs (below).
The key points we can take from this data are:
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Halving the billion people living in extreme poverty on less than a dollar a day
2. Achieve universal primary education An additional 80 million finishing primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women Equal numbers of boys and girls in school everywhere in the world
4. Reduce child mortality 5 million lives saved: Two-thirds fewer children dying before they reach the age of five
5. Improve maternal health 350,000 lives saved: 75% fewer women dying in childbirth
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases HIV/AIDS rates level off and then begin to decline from the 40 million people currently effected
7. Ensure environmental sustainability A clean water supply for 600,000 more people Adequate sanitation for another 1.6 billion people
8. Secure a global partnership for development Fairer trade allows many millions of farmers to make a sustainable living for their families
Each developed country that signed onto the MDGs committed to contributing 0.7% of their GDP(economic output) to aid developing countries. Below is a list of how each country compares.
Source: OECD DAC ODA Flows 2007
Sources: UNDP Human Development Reports, UN Statistical Division
