On the 29th of March 2010, the United Nations Information Officer of the Development Section (Strategic Communications Division), Ms Martina Volpe Donlon, held the final presentation in preparation of our Delegation for the National Model United Nations 2010 Conference. She reviewed in an inspiring manner the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), through which she really made clear to each one of us, why the MDGs are so relevant for the global development.

At the Millennium Summit of the UN in 2000, the 189 Member States compiled a catalogue of 8 specific goals to combat poverty, disease and hunger. It is of particular importance that this has been the first time ever that the international community formulated concrete, measurable goals encompassing all aspects of development, to be achieved in a limited time horizon. By 2015 the following goals have to be reached:

• Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
• Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
• Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
• Goal 5: Improve maternal health
• Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
• Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
• Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development

In the overall discussion, the first MDG is probably best known through the declaration, that extreme poverty should be halved within 15 years. It specifically addresses the fact, that in 2005, 1.4 billion people had to live with less than USD 1.25 per day. An overview of the absolute figures gives the impression that this goal is on a good track, but in reality, this is mainly due to large emerging economies like China and India, which have greatly reduced their number of extreme poor. This example is indicative of the stark regional differences in progress towards the Goals. Not all the Goals will be achieved in all the countries. The United Nations supports the efforts of the countries and provides the framework for actions, but the countries are those that need to act. We should not forget the so-called ‘success stories’ of MDGs’ implementation so far: for example malaria control in Togo and Zambia and the large-scale reforestation in Niger.

During the discussion, the question came up whether these goals could be ranked or if one of them might be more important compared to the others. In her answer, Ms Volpe Donlon made clear that all of them are so much interconnected, that regress on one goal means also regress for the other goals. However, she mentioned that MDG No.5, concerning maternal health, and MDG No. 7, concerning access to improved sanitation, are the targets on which progress is currently the weakest. Mrs Donlon also emphasised the importance of this year’s Millennium Development Goals Summit on 20-22 September in New York City for producing an agenda in its outcome document for the 5 years remaining towards the achievement of the MDGs.

Another question dealt with the idea of reforming the way of achievements assessment or differentiating the current approach towards specific problems. Ms Volpe Donlon replied that, taking into account the amount of work needed and the time restraints within which these goals were formulated, it would be in everyone’s best interest to work within the next five years as much as we can on what we have.

Although it seems disappointing that no sanctions exist to force countries to act according to these promises, it also stresses the need for civil societies worldwide to strengthen their pressure towards their governments to uphold their commitments. The UN supports all relevant efforts through review conferences and reports, aiming to emphasise the immense importance of these goals for a peaceful and developed world respectful of human rights. With those remarks Mrs Donlon concluded her speech and left us thankful for her valuable contribution to our preparation.

Dennis Scherer