generationdevelopment.org

One of the Generation Development team (Tim) is currently attending the UNESCO Chair of Comparative Human Rights International Leadership Training Programme at the University of Connecticut. The programme included a session on the MDGs by Dr Shyamala Raman (Prof. Economics and International Studies, St. Joseph College). He asked some of the participants from all around the world to contribute their thoughts on the MDGs…

MDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Astrid Chedid, Lawyer, Mexico

This goal deals with an integral issue, which solution should involve concepts related to development from all its approaches; its accomplishment depends on many factors, like empowerment of the communities and implementation of entrepreneurship programs, along with financial assistance, in order to attack the issue from the root, rather than only diminishing its consequences. Furthermore, involvement from the civil society constitutes an essential factor in the quest for equality and social justice, along with the political will of government representatives of any kind and level; they should be encourage to build a reliable database using empirical evidence, that will allow those in charge of resources to properly allocate them. We strongly suggest the leaders throughout the world to become involved in the solution of this issue, taking into account that every person has dignity and is entitled to the right t food and development.

MDG 2: Universal primary education

Shelagh Murphy, Social Worker, USA.

The following are actions taken around the globe, which can be more broadly utilized, to implement Goal 2 of the Millennium Development Goals; to ensure that by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling. Remove fees associated with attending school, including the cost of tuition, books, supplies, uniforms, and transportation. Provide amnesty for undocumented, migrant, and refugee children to attend school with out deportation or other consequences. Provide two meals a day to encourage families facing poverty to send their children to school. Address gender barriers, especially in rural areas. Provide feasible transportation to children, or adopt mobile schools.

MDG 3: Promote gender equality and empower women

Thandeka Percival, Youth Human Rights Leader, Guyana

It become evident in the group discusions that the 8 MDG is not recognised and the information around the issues that it affects is not well recognised. This goal deals with developing an open finance system and non discriminatory trading practices. After much delibaration some points were agreed upon as to how this MDG could be improved to suit a system based approach of how the MDG’s should be implemented. Overally the group felt the MDG was articulated on a top down approach and very much western centric.Thus not representing the real issues of all countries. Firstly the use of ‘partners’ in wording of the MDG should be replaced with ‘stakeholders’ as this word is more inclusive of all the actors in achieving this MDG. There was a consesus that debt problems is not only on developing countries thus it should change focus and include all countries and also include debt owing to international monetary organisations. Also that the issue of tarrifs should be reduced or removed as countries for example the UK places high tariifs on products from Africa of which the collect more money  then the one the give aid to the African continent. Much needs to be done on this MDG in order to achieve its targets.

MDG 6: Combat HIV, Malaria and other diseses

Ms Njareh Jobe, Programme Coordinator Pro-Hope International The Gambia.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) are the world’s time bound and quantified targets for addressing extreme poverty, hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter and exclusion while promoting gender equality, education and environmental sustainability. There are eight goals and this article focuses on MDG 6 which targets to combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases.

Here are some ideal ways to attain MDG 6 by 2015.

• Increase access to Anti-retrovirals (ARV) and Anti-Malaria drugs.
• Awareness creation through mass sensitizations and using media.
• World leaders advocating against stigma and discrimination.
• Home Based Care and support group services.
• Preventive strategies (VCT, PMTCT, increasing condom accessibility)
• Improved and accessible primary health care.
• Gender Sensitivity promotion and mainstreaming in health.

MDG 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

Radyan Rahave, community activist, Bangladesh

Bangladesh, being geographically positioned at the receiving end of perhaps the largest river system, and owing to other concomitant factors like the deltaic formation history and low-line coastal morphology has become the most disaster prone region on earth. Processes embedded in the nature, caused by multitudinous factors, constitute hazards to the environment of this region having severe aftermath on local lives, property and livelihoods of the population, and eventually, impeding the overall socio-economic development of Bangladesh. The (co)occurrence of these natural events are often coupled and multiplied with the high base vulnerabilities of the individuals, households and communities results in disasters that further drive the country towards greater environmental degradation, hunger, poverty, social deprivation and political conflicts, thereby impeding the development of Bangladesh. Therefore, over the last few decades, both national and international communities have been engaged in counteracting the negative developmental impacts of disasters as well as ensuring that development interventions do not exacerbate vulnerability to hazards.

Also, It is already experienced to expose to natural hazards of all possible sorts, such as, floods, river erosion, cyclones, droughts, water logging, arsenic contamination, salinity intrusion, tornadoes, cold waves, earthquakes etc. The subsequent discussion would provide us with some ideas about the extent and magnitude of different natural hazards those the people of Bangladesh are being exposed to over the decades.

MDG8: Develop a global partnership for development
Philo Modu, Lawyer and Representative to the UN Habitat Youth Advisory board, Tanzania

It become evident in the group discusions that the 8 MDG is not recognised and the information around the issues that it affects is not well recognised. This goal deals with developing an open finance system and non discriminatory trading practices. After much delibaration some points were agreed upon as to how this MDG could be improved to suit a system based approach of how the MDG’s should be implemented. Overally the group felt the MDG was articulated on a top down approach and very much western centric.Thus not representing the real issues of all countries. Firstly the use of ‘partners’ in wording of the MDG should be replaced with ‘stakeholders’ as this word is more inclusive of all the actors in achieving this MDG. There was a consesus that debt problems is not only on developing countries thus it should change focus and include all countries and also include debt owing to international monetary organisations. Also that the issue of tarrifs should be reduced or removed as countries for example the UK places high tariifs on products from Africa of which the collect more money  then the one the give aid to the African continent. Much needs to be done on this MDG in order to achive its targets.