ngos and the mdgs

The UN MillenniumDevelopment Goals:Civil SocietyContributions

Universal Peace Federation / www.UPF.org

In September 2000, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the Millennium Declaration listing 8 Millennium Development Goals, which are to be achieved by 2015.

In September 2000, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the Millennium Declaration listing 8 Millennium Development Goals, which are to be achieved by 2015.

Reduce by 50% the number of people whose income is less than $1 a day.Reduce by 50% the number of people who suffer from hunger.

Ensure that children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling.

Eliminategender disparity in primary and secondary schools and in all levels of education.

Reduce by 66% the mortality rate for children under five.

Reduce by 75% the maternal mortality rate.

Reduce by 50% the spread of HIV/AIDS.Reduce by 50% the incidence of malaria and other major diseases.

Promote sustainable development and reverse the loss of environmental resources.Reduce by 50% the number of people without access to drinking water.Provide significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers.

Promote good governance and fiscal responsibility.Address the special needs of least-developed countries, land-locked and small island developing countries, for medicine, youth employment, debt elimination, etc. Make available new technologies.

In promoting the Millennium Development Goals at the beginning of the millennium, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said:

“The private sector must work with governments and other actors to tackle the interlocking crises of hunger, disease environmental degradation and conflict that are holding back the developing world. We must supplement formal institutions with informal policy networks, bringing together international institutions, civil society and private-sector organizations, and national governments, in pursuit of common goals.”

In promoting the Millennium Development Goals at the beginning of the millennium, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said:

“The private sector must work with governments and other actors to tackle the interlocking crises of hunger, disease environmental degradation and conflict that are holding back the developing world. We must supplement formal institutions with informal policy networks, bringing together international institutions, civil society and private-sector organizations, and national governments, in pursuit of common goals.”

“A strong and sustained effort now can mean the difference between the success and failure of our grand endeavor. Needless to say, millions of lives quite literally hang in the balance.”

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

“The time has come for the United Nations to outline its working relationship with civil society organizations. It is very important.”

H.E. Anwarul K. Chaudhury Former Under-Secretary-General, UN

The Crucial Need for Civil Society to Work

with UN Bodies

The Crucial Need for Civil Society to Work

with UN Bodies

The arena of voluntary collective action around shared interests, purposes and values.Embraces a diversity of spaces, actors and institutional forms, varying in their degree of formality, autonomy and power.

Definition of Civil Society

Track I: governmentsTrack II: intergovernmental and international organizationsTrack III: Civil society, NGOs, faith-based organizations, voluntary associations, grass-roots organizations, etc.

Partnerships Beyond“Track I” Government Programs

Not just protection of a nation-state’s population from external invasion but also quality of life,

political freedom, education, rights:

Human security

Broadened Definition of Security

Not just economic aid but also quality of life, education, capacity-building, moral development, governance, leadership,

interdependence, environmental sustainability:

Human development

Broadened Definition of Development

Not just the absence of war but also harmony within the individual, the family, community, society, among

religions and nations:

Comprehensive vision of peace

Broadened Definition ofPeace

Innovation and flexibilityGrass-roots involvementVolunteerismMoral/spiritual commitmentAdvanced digital communications

Strengths of Civil Society

It lacks the power of governments.

Its authority and legitimacy are not grounded in a democratic process.

It often represents limited, special interests.

Limitations of Civil Society

How UPF can contribute to

the Millennium Development Goals

How UPF can contribute to

the Millennium Development Goals

Encourage and facilitate partnerships

among the United Nations, governments,

NGOs, religions, and the private sector to

promote peace, human development, and

good governance grounded in universal

values. Develop a global culture of service. Promote interreligious cooperation.

These objectives advance the MDGs.

UPF’S CORE OBJECTIVESUPF’S CORE OBJECTIVES

Character development Moral development Disease prevention Strengthening marriage and family Gender partnership

EDUCATION

Promoting MDGs #2, 3, 5, & 6 by programs of

EDUCATION

Promoting MDGs #2, 3, 5, & 6 by programs of

Service projects for the disadvantaged Service learning

SERVICE

Impact on MDGs #1, 5, 6, & 7

SERVICE

Impact on MDGs #1, 5, 6, & 7

Religious groups partnering with the UN, governments, and civil society to achieve MDGs Grassroots mechanisms to contribute to MDGs

INTERRELIGIOUS COOPERATION

Impact on MDG #8

INTERRELIGIOUS COOPERATION

Impact on MDG #8

Leadership should be based on universal moral values. Such leadership is necessary for healthy partnership among governments, civil society, and the private sector.

LEADERSHIP AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

Impact on MDG #8

LEADERSHIP AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

Impact on MDG #8

Rooted in good moral characterUniversal, spiritual visionCentered on unselfishnessCompassionate & responsibleParental leadershipService leadershipPassion for goodness

Principled Leadership and Good Governance: Basis for Achieving MDGs

Be informed.

Tell your friends, family, and associates; educate policy-makers.

Participate in programs and campaigns that help achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Work with national and international civil society networks.

How Can I Help?How Can I Help?