Social Watch news

New Millennium Development Goals report

Published on Thu, 2010-06-24 18:00

Source: UN Millennium Campaign
The world is still on track to achieve the Millenium Development Goal (MDG) target of cutting the rate of extreme poverty in half by 2015 says a new report by the United Nations a few months before a major General Assembly meeting in September is to review progress so far. Many countries are moving forward, but unmet commitments, inadequate resources, lack of focus and accountability, and insufficient dedication to sustainable development have created shortfalls in many areas. Some of these shortfalls were aggravated by the global food and economic and financial crises. Download the report (PDF)

The reconfiguration of the world scenario: the G-24's voice and the G-20's silence

Published on Wed, 2010-06-23 08:25

Author:

Maria José Romero, Social Watch Networking Team

The current economic and financial crisis has led to a reconfiguration in the scenario of power in the world. The Group of 20 (G-20), which is an extended version of the Group of 8 (G-8), proclaimed itself the main forum for international cooperation. However, the measures the group has adopted do not provide real solutions to the many crises assailing the world today.

Development goals are gender goals

Published on Wed, 2010-06-23 08:23

Author:

Natalia Cardona, Advocacy Coordinator, Social Watch

All the Millenium Development Goals are gender related. Lack of progress in achieving them do not just result from the external shocks and crises. It is a result of developed countries not meeting the commitment stated at MDG 8, to create global partnerships around trade, aid and debt and technology transfer. Social Watch advocates for long-term social development policies that truly encompass gender as a key step towards equality and increased human wellbeing.

Regional workshops build the capacity of SW coalitions

Published on Wed, 2010-06-23 08:20

After the good experience of the three 2009 regional capacity building workshops that took place in Brazil, Morocco and India, there are four new workshops on the agenda of Social Watch for the upcoming months. These meetings will be organized regionally in countries of Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Caribbean.

Social Watch has a say during the UN General Assembly Hearings

Published on Wed, 2010-06-23 08:18

The Summit process is a key opportunity to take stock of which development strategies are actually working and which are not, and what strategic decisions and actions at national and international levels are urgently needed to make decisive progress in the next five years. During the Hearings, Social Watch representatives participated pushing for real changes on financing for development strategies.

Social Watch at the MDGs+10 Hearings: “We need justice, not business as usual”

Published on Wed, 2010-06-23 08:13

In the preparation process of the MDGs+10 Summit, the UN General Assembly held Informal Interactive Hearings with Non-Governmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations and the Private Sector at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 14-15 June 2010 Hearings of the UN General Assembly with civil society organizations took place from 14-15 June 2010 at the UN Headquarters. Social Watch contributed to the previous consultation process[1] and also participated actively in the Hearings and in the side events.

UN Hearings: Reforming finance for the MDGs

Published on Wed, 2010-06-23 07:58

Within the framework of the Hearings of the UN General Assembly with civil society organizations, which took place from 14-15 June 2010 at the UN Headquarters, Social Watch, Third World Network and UN-NGLS organized the “Reforming finance for the MDGs” seminar.

Spotlight on Social Watch Kenya

Published on Tue, 2010-06-22 11:42

June's “Spotlight on” is dedicated to Social Watch Kenya, which in August will be holding the next Social Watch regional capacity building workshop.

UNDP unveils agenda to spur anti-poverty goals

Published on Fri, 2010-06-18 09:21

Source: Inter Press Service
By Thalif Deen

UNITED NATIONS, Jun 17, 2010 (IPS) - After an economic assessment of some 50 countries, the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) has come up with a "concrete action agenda" to accelerate progress towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

MDG+10 civil society Hearings: "Human rights should not be absent from the MDGs"

Published on Thu, 2010-06-17 13:05

Aldo Caliari from the Center of Concern also participated in the UN General Assembly Informal Interactive Hearings with Non-Governmental Organizations at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 14-15 June 2010. Read the notes from his presentation.