U.N. Millennium Development Goals
In reports of many international meetings, reference is made to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the United Nations. The following brief article is offered as a handy reference to the history and details of these goals.
The origin of the Millennium Development Goals is to be found in the United Nations' Millennium Declaration that was adopted on 8 September 2000 by all of the 189 member states (147 of which were represented by their heads of state or government). These goals were set for the year 2015 with reference to the international situation prevalent in 1990.
The Declaration contains numerous commitments to enhance the future of humanity in the new century. The United Nations Secretariat subsequently drafted a list of eight objectives, each with a set of targets and specific indicators.
The eight objectives are: 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 sustainability; 8) Develop a global partnership for development.
These goals are currently being discussed both internationally and nationally, with many organizations deliberating how to include them in the various global or national strategies.