With Malala Yousafzai by his side, Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon today marked 500 days of action until the deadline to reach
the Millennium Development Goals, known worldwide as the “MDGs.”
“Action now will save lives, build a solid foundation for sustainable
development far beyond 2015 and help lay the groundwork for lasting
peace and human dignity,” the Secretary-General said at a special event at the UN Headquarters in New York.
He was joined by more than 500 young people, including Ms. Yousafzai,
who became an education advocate after being attacked by the Taliban on a
school bus.
“The ideas and inspiration of young people have been especially critical
in this effort and their role must grow even more,” Mr. Ban said,
underscoring the progress made in development and the importance of
youth involvement in national plans to accomplish even more.
As part of today’s events, “MDG supporters” are expected to speak out
about the need to accelerate progress towards reaching the targets. The
UN has said that it expects 500 minutes of MDG support today to mark the
500 days left to achieve the targets.
The eight MDGs, agreed by world leaders at UN summit in 2000, are
described as a 15-year roadmap to fight poverty, hunger and disease,
protect the environment and expand education, basic health and women’s
empowerment.
Inequality remains a challenge, however, as does childbirth, maternal
mortality, universal education, and environmental sustainability,
according to a report Mr. Ban presented to Member States in July...
“Now is the time for MDG Momentum,” the UN chief stressed, noting that
the international community now has many more tools at its disposal than
when the targets were created, ranging from the expanding reach of
technology to the growing understanding of what works and what does not.
Mr. Ban details four areas where governments can help fuel progress,
including in backing social programmes despite budget cuts, and
deepening cooperation with civil society, the private sector and other
networks.
Strategic investments in health, education, energy and sanitation are
also key, Mr. Ban said. He particularly noted investment in areas that
empower women and girls.
He also emphasized focusing on the poorest and most vulnerable
countries, communities and social groups that have the toughest road to
progress despite their best efforts.
In her remarks, Ms. Yousafzai
expressed her desire to see every boy and girl to attend school. She
stressed how all countries should invest in education, which would
cultivate young people’s potential.
She also suggested the need to change the mind-set that women are weaker
than men. “Often, women are likely to believe that they are actually
somehow ‘less’ than men, just because they have never been told
otherwise”. Education, she continued “offers a chance to learn, free
yourself, and contribute to positive change.”
“Always believe in yourself. We are all the same and everyone can make a
difference,” Ms. Yousafzai concluded in her message of empowerment for
all the people around the world.
“Against the predictions of cynics, the MDGs have helped unite, inspire
and transform,” Mr. Ban noted. He highlighted that poverty has been cut
in half, more girls attend school, and fewer people are dying from
malaria, tuberculosis and other deadly diseases.
