People join hands outside the UN building in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 17, 2007, to commemorate the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The event was part of a global “Stand Up and Speak Out” campaign against poverty, one part of the Millennium Development Goals campaign. Photo: Reuters/Sukree Sukplang
At the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000, all 189 member states committed themselves to improving the lives of the world’s most impoverished people before 2015. It was a compact between rich and poor countries: wealthy countries, including Canada, promised to deliver more, and more effective, aid, faster and deeper debt relief, and fairer trade rules. Less wealthy countries would work to reform policies, improve governance, and to channel resources to social development. Eight specific goals emerged:
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
- Achieve universal primary education
- Promote gender equality and empower women
- Reduce child mortality
- Improve maternal health
- Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
- Ensure environmental sustainability
- Develop a global partnership for development.
These goals are broken down into 18 specific targets, and 48 indicators. The United Nations monitors action toward these goals, and their MDG Monitor website is a quick way to check up on the world’s progress.
Where we are now
We are now more than halfway to the 2015 target, and while some progress has been made in all developing countries (especially in growing countries such as China), overall movement toward the MDGs has been too slow (particularly in sub-Saharan Africa).
Developed countries, including those in the European Union and the G8, have made a commitment to bring their Official Development Assistance (ODA) closer to 0.7% of their Gross National Income (GNI), a target that has long been held up as viable and effective. So far, only a few countries have reached this target, and Canada’s ODA contribution remains at around 0.3% of GNI.
Many meetings have been held to strengthen the push toward these goals. The most recent was on September 25, 2008, when the UN hosted a high-level meeting in New York City to identify gaps and accelerate progress toward the MDGs.
Where do we fit in as a church?
The ongoing work of Partnerships and The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) contributes in various ways toward the MDGs. In addition to this work, General Synod has taken specific action.
June 2005: The Ecojustice Committee of the General Synod sends a letter to the Canadian prime minister, urging that the ODA be increased.
March 2007: A seven-person delegation from the Anglican Church of Canada, including PWRDF, attends the Towards Effective Anglican Mission (TEAM) conference in Boksburg, South Africa, which challenged Anglican provinces to review and renew their responses to the MDGs.
June 2007: General Synod passes resolution A213, asking for various actions around the MDGs, including lobbying the prime minister, identifying theological themes within the MDGs, and renewing in-house and joint program work around the MDGs.
July 24, 2008: During the Lambeth Conference in London, Eng., Canadian bishops march alongside other Anglican bishops, interfaith leaders, and others to draw attention to the MDGs. Over 1,500 people attend. Some Canadians participate in an “online march” by sending letters to their Members of Parliament.
September 25, 2008: Archbishop Fred Hiltz, National Bishop Susan Johnson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, other bishops, and ecumenical friends march in Ottawa to urge the Canadian government to honour its commitment to the MDGs.
Where do i fit in?
There are many ways that Canadian Anglicans are working toward the Millennium Development Goals. Many support Christian MDG campaigns, including Make Poverty History and the Micah Challenge, while some are taking up the challenge on their own-for instance, the Rev. Jesse Dymond, Diocese of Huron, who spoke with local MPs about issues of global poverty. Some are working collectively, like the Diocese of Ontario, which encourages parishes to pray specifically for the MDGs and has held related vigils.
The momentum toward 2015 continues to grow, and General Synod is working to develop new resources. Stay tuned!
