Anti-poverty Advocates Gather in New York to Hold World Leaders Accountable for Achieving the MDGs
On September 25, the Secretary General and President of the General Assembly will host a High-level Event on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) during the General Assembly. The High Level Event is a critical opportunity at the midway point to the 2015 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The Secretary-General, together with the General Assembly President, are bringing together world leaders, civil society and the private sector to translate existing commitments into action —to identify gaps and announce concrete efforts, resources and mechanisms to bridge the gaps.
More than halfway to 2015, the MDG track record is encouraging. Significant progress has been made in fighting poverty, reducing infant mortality and increasing school enrolment. Some of the poorest countries in the world, including African nations, have made impressive strides towards achieving many of the Goals. Countries that have adapted the global Goals to the national and local contexts have seen the greatest success. However, the speed of implementation is not fast enough. Without decisive action, one in six people globally – almost one billion – will still live on less than one dollar a day in 2015.
The MDGs can be achieved. Success in several countries across the world demonstrates that rapid and large-scale progress towards the MDGs is feasible if stronger and more accountable government leadership, sound policies and practical strategies for scaling up public investments in vital areas are combined with active engagement of citizens, particularly the poor, and adequate financial and technical support from the international community.
On October 17-19th, millions of people around the world will “Stand Up and Take Action” to tell their leaders that they expect them to deliver on the concrete commitments made in 2000 and reiterated at this week’s High Level Meeting. Last year, 43 million people stood up against poverty. This year the number is expected to double. The global movement in support of the Millennium Development Goals is growing. We will no longer stay seated in the face of poverty and the broken promises to end it. For more information on the “Stand Up” mobilization, visit www.standagainstpoverty.org.
Featured Side Events:
- New York
Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) Poverty Hearings on the MDGs September 23, 9:30am-12:30pm, UN Church Centre Chapel
Organized by the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), UN Millennium Campaign and UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service
This mock tribunal-style event will ensure that the voices of those living in poverty are heard at the High Level Event on September 25. People from Africa, Asia and Latin America will present testimony on the reality of life in poverty and what failing to achieve the MDGs means to them. It will also bring together civil society organization actors and dignitaries to reinvigorate commitment to the MDGs. From 2.30-5:00pm, the Women’s Tribunal on the MDGs will feature testimonies from women living in New York and around the world on their experiences of poverty and demands for action.
Consultation Between Heads of States and Religious Leaders on Eliminating Poverty Through the MDGs
September 24, 9:00am-12:00pm, Church Centre
Organized by Religions for Peace and the UN Millennium Campaign
Event to advance partnerships between governments and the religious sector to eliminate poverty through the MDGs
- Local Governments’ Contributions to the MDGs
September 24, 1:15-2:30pm, Conference Room 8, UN Secretariat building
Organized by Italy, United Cities and Local Government (UCLG) and the UN Millennium Campaign Exchange of best practices by local municipal governments for the achievement of the MDGs, with the participation of many Mayors from cities of developed and developing countries, including the Mayor of Milan, the city that will host the Universal Exhibition in 2015 which will be devoted to the MDGs.
Contact: press.italyun@esteri.it.
- Global
On September 25, the UN Millennium Campaign, together with the NGO Alliance, will host a parliamentarian evening in Germany where they will deliver information on the MDGs and the High Level Meeting in New York to Members of the German Parliament.
For a complete list of side events, click here: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/2008highlevel/
