An Introduction to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Global Classrooms Week 1

 International goals to improve socio-economic conditions on a global scale by the year 2015 (<3 years left!)  Developed by the United Nations (UN)  Adopted in 2000 after the Millennium Summit  Goal of Summit: Determine role of UN at the turn of the 21 st century  MDGs reflect the Millennium Declaration that was ratified at the Summit  Main idea of the Declaration: all people have the right to: “dignity, freedom, equality, a basic standard of living that includes freedom from hunger and violence, and encourages tolerance and solidarity”  In Global Classrooms, we will be working on issues that reflect the MDGs Background on the MDGs

1A. Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the number of people whose income is less than $1.25 a day 1.Goal achieved in 2010! 2.However, 1.2 billion people worldwide still live in extreme poverty 1B. Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people. 1.Reduce the gender gap 2.> 350 million people live below the $1.25/day poverty line 1C. Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the number of people who suffer from hunger 1.Possible to achieve by About 870 million people undernourished (more than 100 million children) 1. ERADICATE EXTREME POVERTY AND HUNGER What are some ways to reduce global poverty levels?

 Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling  Primary education enrolment in developing countries reached 90 percent in ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION Why is ensuring education for children important? How do you think gender, poverty, and education are related?

3. PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWERING WOMEN  Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than 2015  Equality in primary education between girls and boys exists, but only 2 out of 130 countries have achieved that target at all levels of education What are examples of gender inequality?

 Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate  Children born into poverty are almost twice as likely to die before the age of five as those from wealthier families.  Children of educated mothers—even mothers with only primary schooling—are more likely to survive than children of mothers with no education. 4. REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY RATES Link to poverty Link to education

5A. Reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio  Maternal mortality has fallen by 47 % since B. Achieve universal access to reproductive health  Only half of women in developing regions receive the recommended amount of health care they need. 5. IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH

6A. Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS 6B. Achieve, by 2010, universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all those who need it  Not fully achieved by 2010  By 2011, eleven countries had achieved universal access to antiretroviral therapy. 6C. Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases  Treatment for tuberculosis has saved some 20 million lives between 1995 and COMBAT HIV/AIDS, MALARIA AND OTHER DISEASES

7A. Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental resources 7B. Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss  By 2010, protected areas covered 12.7 per cent of the world’s land area but only 1.6 per cent of total ocean area. 7C. Halve, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation 7D. Achieve, by 2020, a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers  Met well before 2020 deadline 7. ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

An urban slum in Rio, Brazil. Slums are characterized by very poor housing, poverty, and lack of sanitation. Source:

8A. Develop further an open, rule-based, predictable, non- discriminatory trading and financial system 8B. Address the special needs of least developed countries 8C. Address the special needs of landlocked developing countries and small island developing States 8D. Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries 8E. In cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, provide access to affordable essential drugs in developing countries 8F. In cooperation with the private sector, make available benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications 8. DEVELOP A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT

Class Activity 1.What is the most important MDG to you? Rank the goals on the worksheet provided and give at least two (2) reasons for selecting the most important goal. 2.Once everyone is finished, stand near the number in the front of the classroom that corresponds to the goal you ranked #1. 3.One representative for each goal will explain his/her decision.