The creation of the Millennium Development Goals in 2000 by all United Nations Member States marked a historic moment in humanity’s history, as together 189 world leaders committed to tackle extreme poverty in its many forms to create a better life for everyone.
The MDGs translate this commitment into a framework of measurable goals and targets which, with strong public and political support, can be measured and achieved.
Why We Fight
24,000 children under five die from preventable poverty-related causes
500,000 women die during pregnancy and childbirth every year
850,000 people died of Malaria in 2006-07
1.3 million people died of TB in 2008
2 million people died of AIDS in 2007-08
72 million children still do not go to school
One in six people still live in poverty
The work that RESULTS does is heavily focused on achieving the MDGs.
Discover more about what we do to tackle extreme poverty at The Issues.
Poverty is not inevitable. International development experts agree that the eradication of poverty in our lifetime is possible. Only the global public and political will is required to achieve it.
“Each of the great social achievements of recent decades has come about not because of government proclamation, but because people organised, made demands, and made it good politics for governments to respond. It is the political will of the people that makes and sustains the political will of governments.”
James Grant, former director of UNICEF
What We Need to Fight
Lifesaving funds
Yes, we can afford it! In order to achieve the MDGs, the UN Millennium Project estimates that developed nations, like Australia, need to allocate, as a minimum, 0.7 per cent of the country’s national income (Gross National Income or GNI) towards overseas aid by 2015.
Australia’s aid in 2008-09 was $3.6 billion or 0.32 per cent of GNI. It is still well below the 0.7 per cent target and ranks us just 15th out of the world’s 22 wealthiest countries.
In comparison, Australia spends $2 billion on pet care each year.
One of the major missing ingredients in the fight to end poverty is the public and political will.
The public and political will of people and governments will help make the end of poverty a reality.
The ability to create worldwide commitment resides within everyone. It is the everyday citizen who has the power to lead the fight and urge their government to end one of humanity’s greatest injustices.
Generating the will to end poverty starts with you!
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