Are the MDGs feasible? Moscow November 2002 Presentation by: Diana Alarcón Paper by: Jan Vandemoortele

2 Feasibility of MDGs, too general question MDGs include 8 goals, 18 targets, 48 + indicators The level at which the feasibility of the MDGs is assessed will influence the outcome. The lower the level the aggregation, the better the assessment but the more complex the result. Feasible at the global or regional level, does not imply feasibility in all nations or all regions.

3 The fallacy of averages Averages are misleading. Meeting a target “on average” does not necessarily mean improving living conditions of specific regions or groups. Most progress eludes the poor and disadvantage. Averages mislead the sense of achievement

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6 Under five mortality rate and Net enrolment ratio in education

7 Education Failure to meet the education target = negative impact on the chances of reaching other targets by The higher the level of education of mother: the lower the risk of child mortality before age 5 The lower the malnutrition. Girls' education is key to achieving the MDGs.

8 HIV/AIDS AIDS is a major threat to human development Pandemic is spreading fast in other regions especially in Eastern Europe and the Caribbean Great impediment to achieving the MDGs.

9 HIV/AIDS and gender Gender issues are central: High risk of infection among adolescents Women represent a growing proportion of people living with HIV/AIDS. Young women and girls with little or no education have the greatest risk of infection. In Africa new HIV infections are disproportionately concentrated among poor and illiterate adolescent women.

10 Are MDGs affordable? MDGs will require extra 50 – 80 billion dollars the gap of $80 billion per year represents about one-third of 1 per cent of global annual income. Achieving the MDGs is about setting priorities, not just mobilising resources or finding technological breakthroughs.

11 MDGs: Feasible and affordable The MDGs are technically feasible and financially affordable. Yet, the world is off-track to meeting them by The MDGs are ambitious, yet some countries will meet them. If these countries can achieve the MDGs, there is no reason why others cannot achieve them too.

12 MDGs: Feasible and affordable Resource mobilization Political will National Ownership