Session 5. MDGs and SDGs
Session 5. MDGs and SDGs
Session 5. MDGs and SDGs
GLOBAL
DEVELOPMENT
GOALS
Millennium Development Goals
and the Sustainable
Development goals
Millennium Development Goals
The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – which
range from halving extreme poverty rates to halting the
spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary
education, all by the target date of 2015 – form a blueprint
agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s
leading development institutions. They have galvanized
unprecedented efforts to meet the needs of the world’s
poorest. The UN (United Nations) is also working with
governments, civil society and other partners to build on the
momentum generated by the MDGs and carry on with an
ambitious post-2015 development agenda.
Eradicate
Extreme
Poverty and
Hunger by
2015
We can reduce poverty and hunger by:
investing in agriculture
creating jobs
expanding social safety nets
expanding nutrition programs that target
children under 2 years of age
universalizing education
promoting gender equality
protecting vulnerable countries during
crises
Eradicating poverty in all its forms remains one of the greatest challenges
facing humanity. While the number of people living in extreme poverty
dropped by more than half between 1990 and 2015, too many are still
struggling for the most basic human needs.
As of 2015, about 736 million people still lived on less than US$1.90 a day;
many lack food, clean drinking water and sanitation. Rapid growth in
countries such as China and India has lifted millions out of poverty, but
progress has been uneven. Women are more likely to be poor than men
because they have less paid work, education, and own less property.
Progress has also been limited in other regions, such as South Asia and sub-
Saharan Africa, which account for 80 percent of those living in extreme
poverty. New threats brought on by climate change, conflict and food
insecurity, mean even more work is needed to bring people out of poverty.
The SDGs are a bold commitment to finish what we started, and end poverty
in all forms and dimensions by 2030. This involves targeting the most
vulnerable, increasing basic resources and services, and supporting
communities affected by conflict and climate-related disasters.
The SDGs aim to end all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030, making
sure all people–especially children–have sufficient and nutritious food all
year. This involves promoting sustainable agricultural, supporting small-scale
farmers and equal access to land, technology and markets. It also requires
international cooperation to ensure investment in infrastructure and
technology to improve agricultural productivity.
But the world is off-track to achieve the health-related SDGs. Progress has
been uneven, both between and within countries. There’s a 31-year gap
between the countries with the shortest and longest life expectancies. And
while some countries have made impressive gains, national averages hide
that many are being left behind. Multisectoral, rights-based and gender-
sensitive approaches are essential to address inequalities and to build good
health for all. At least 400 million people
have no basic healthcare, and
40 percent lack social
protection.
Since 2000, there has been enormous progress in achieving the target of
universal primary education. The total enrolment rate in developing regions
reached 91 percent in 2015, and the worldwide number of children out of
school has dropped by almost half. There has also been a dramatic increase
in literacy rates, and many more girls are in school than ever before. These
are all remarkable successes.
Progress has also been tough in some developing regions due to high levels
of poverty, armed conflicts and other emergencies. In Western Asia and
North Africa, ongoing armed conflict has seen an increase in the number of
children out of school. This is a worrying trend. While Sub-Saharan Africa
made the greatest progress in primary school enrolment among all
developing regions – from 52 percent in 1990, up to 78 percent in 2012 –
large disparities still remain. Children from the poorest households are up to
four times more likely to be out of school than those of the richest
households. Disparities between rural and urban areas also remain high.
Achieving inclusive and quality education for all reaffirms the belief that
education is one of the most powerful and proven vehicles for sustainable
development. This goal ensures that all girls and boys complete free primary
and secondary schooling by 2030. It also aims to provide equal access to
affordable vocational training, to eliminate gender and wealth disparities,
and achieve universal access to a quality higher education.
But although there are more women than ever in the labour market, there
are still large inequalities in some regions, with women systematically denied
the same work rights as men. Sexual violence and exploitation, the unequal
division of unpaid care and domestic work, and discrimination in public
office all remain huge barriers. Climate change and disasters continue to
have a disproportionate effect on women and children, as do conflict and
migration.
It is vital to give women equal rights land and property, sexual and
reproductive health, and to technology and the internet. Today there are
more women in public office than ever before, but encouraging more
women leaders will help achieve greater gender equality.
More and more countries are experiencing water stress, and increasing
drought and desertification is already worsening these trends. By 2050, it is
projected that at least one in four people will suffer recurring water
shortages.
Safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030 requires we invest in
adequate infrastructure, provide sanitation facilities, and encourage hygiene.
Protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems is essential.
Ensuring universal safe and affordable drinking water involves reaching over
800 million people who lack basic services and improving accessibility and
safety of services for over two billion.
In 2015, 4.5 billion people lacked safely managed sanitation services (with
adequately disposed or treated excreta) and 2.3 billion lacked even basic
sanitation.
More than 4 billion people still do not have access to the Internet, and 90
percent are from the developing world. Bridging this digital divide is crucial
to ensure equal access to information and knowledge, as well as foster
innovation and entrepreneurship.
The efficient management of our shared natural resources, and the way we
dispose of toxic waste and pollutants, are important targets to achieve this
goal. Encouraging industries, businesses and consumers to recycle and
reduce waste is equally important, as is supporting developing countries to
move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption by 2030.
A large share of the world population is still consuming far too little to meet
even their basic needs. Halving the per capita of global food waste at the
retailer and consumer levels is also important for creating more efficient
production and supply chains. This can help with food security, and shift us
towards a more resource efficient economy.
Supporting vulnerable regions will directly contribute not only to Goal 13 but
also to the other SDGs. These actions must also go hand in hand with efforts
to integrate disaster risk measures, sustainable natural resource
management, and human security into national development strategies. It is
still possible, with strong political will, increased investment, and using
existing technology, to limit the increase in global mean temperature to two
degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, aiming at 1.5°C, but this requires
urgent and ambitious collective action.
Every year, 13 million hectares of forests are lost, while the persistent
degradation of drylands has led to the desertification of 3.6 billion hectares,
disproportionately affecting poor communities.
While 15 percent of land is protected, biodiversity is still at risk. Nearly 7,000
species of animals and plants have been illegally traded. Wildlife trafficking
not only erodes biodiversity, but creates insecurity, fuels conflict, and feeds
corruption.
Urgent action must be taken to reduce the loss of natural habitats and
biodiversity which are part of our common heritage and support global food
and water security, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and peace
and security.
The SDGs aim to significantly reduce all forms of violence, and work with
governments and communities to end conflict and insecurity. Promoting the
rule of law and human rights are key to this process, as is reducing the flow
of illicit arms and strengthening the participation of developing countries in
the institutions of global governance.
After watching the Ang Masa series, reflect on the situation of the masses
experiencing poverty right now. Do you think that the MDG and SDG has
played it part in eradicating poverty and improving their situation? Choose
one (1) development goal (either from MDG or SDG) and one(1) ang Masa
Series which could express its concept of poverty and reflect it with your
day-to-day life experience. Kindly expound your answer.