MDGs

Source: Third World Network 
Geneva, 21 Jun (Kanaga Raja) - A fundamental problem in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has been the lack of a more inclusive strategy of economic development that could integrate and support its "human development" ambitions, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

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)

Social Watch, together with the United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UN-NGLS) and the Third World Network (TWN), organized a panel on 'Reforming Finance for the MDGs' within the framework of the 'Informal Interactive Hearings of the General Assembly with Non-governmental organizations, Civil society organizations and the Private sector' that took place from 14-15 June 2010 at UN Headquarters in New York.

Hardly any measures taken by the countries to tackle the crisis have highlighted promotion of women's employment and livelihoods. There is need for an enabling environment that integrates a comprehensive justice and human rights framework with social and gender justice at the forefront of internationally agreed development goals including the MDGs said Natalia Cardona from Social Watch and member of the Women's Working Group on Financing for Development. 

In preparation for the Summit on Least Developed Countries (LDC-IV) which will take place in Turkey next year Social Watch is participating in a series of events at the regional level and international level.  Most recently Social Watch was invited to participate on May 19, 2010 in a Panel Event on Resource Mobilization for LDCs’ Sustainable Growth and Development at Columbia University.  

Source: NGLS
The final selection and approval of active participants (speakers and respondents) for the General Assembly Hearings with NGOs, Civil Society and the Private Sector to take place in New York 14-15 June 2010 has been announced. The informal interactive hearings, requested by the UN General Assembly and convened by the President of its 64th session, H.E. Dr. Ali Abdussalam Treki, are meant to provide input to the preparatory process for the ‘MDG summit’ (High-level Plenary Meeting) on 20-22 September 2010.

The dynamics of International Financial Institutions and private capital in the globalized world has often acted as delimiting factors to state sovereignty. The role of Social Watch as a ‘watch dog’ gains significance in the current context of multiple crisis stressed the Pan-Asian Workshop: "Who pays? The global crises and what needs to be done – an Asian perspective" held in New Delhi, India, 22- 24 February 2010.

Participants at the latest Social Watch Coordinating Committee (CC) meeting held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 24-26 March 2010 discussed their views on the global crisis and the role of the network ahead. The upcoming UN High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly (‘MDG Summit’) to take place September 2010 in New York is a key moment and all efforts should point to strengthen the voice of civil society and that of Social Watch in particular.

Syndicate content