MDG8: Develop a global partnership for development

‘Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.’

Acts 4:32

Official development assistance stands at 0.31 per cent of the combined national income of developed countries, still far short of the 0.7 per cent UN target.

Target 1: Address the special needs of least developed countries, landlocked countries and small island developing states.

Target 2: Develop an open, rule-based, predictable, non-discriminatory trading and financial system.

Target 3: Deal comprehensively with developing countries' debt.

Target 4: Provide access to affordable essential drugs in developing countries.

Target 5: Make available new technologies, especially information and communications.

New Millennium Village for Ghana

Ghana is set to establish a new Millennium Village in the hope of connecting and improving the quality of life of over 30,000 people.  The MVs have been very successful to date; over 500,000 people across sub-Saharan Africa benefit from better connectivity as a direct result.  The new Ghanaian village will provide data connectivity to 16 schools and 5 clinics, in some of the country’s poorest areas.  Click here to read more about the proposed village.

Success for Millennium Villages Project

Jeffrey Sachs' Millennium Villages Project is celebrating huge achievements in working towards the MDGs.  Child mortality in the villages has decreased by 22% in the last 5 years, and advances have been made in health care, disease prevention and agriculture.  however, some critics are claiming that the MVP may not be cost effective.  To read such an article, click here; to read a Guardian summary of the MVP and its progress click here, or to read Sachs' own viewpoint, click here.

 

Mining for Development? 

The mining industry in the Philippines is becoming more transparent, with companies beginning to understand the need to be a part of ethical trading initiatives and to provide social service schemes for local communities, according to this article from the Manila Standard Today.  The benefits of such schemes are vast and rapidly increasing in success, according to author Jose Dagala. Let's pray that the mining industry continues to increase in transparency and honesty (for a case study on the industry in Nigeria, click here).

 

African Cooperation to Achieve Better Sanitation

Liberia and Sierra Leone have recommitted themselves to working together to achieve better levels of sanitation within the countries. The governments believe that cooperation is the only way they will achieve MDG6, as both countries are currently behind schedule to fulfil it. Read more details here.

 

Campaigning Makes a Difference

This short video from Tearfund explores the impact debt cancellation has made to people in Tanzania and Zambia. Watch out for a guest appearance from MC Zambian Coordinator Martin Kapenda!

 

Youth Lead the Way in Interfaith Discussions

Organisations such as World Faith, the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, and the Faiths Act Fellowship are encouraging youths from different faiths to lead the way in working together for the fulfillment of the MDGs. Harsha Shama and Frank Fredericks, a Hindu Brit and a Christian American, share their experiences here.

 

How the MDGs have helped Africa

Click here to read an interview with John McArthur, former deputy direction and manager of United Nations' Millennium Project and C.E.O. of the  Millennium Promise, on how the MDGs have helped Africa.  He also talks about public/private cooperation, and on how coalition projects are helping society and governments to achieve the MDGs.

 

Shake the World

Shake the World is a global movement started in South Africa aiming to provide positive energy and hope for achieving the MDGs. They provide advice, stories and fun tips and tricks designed to inspire hope and creativity. Their new MDG bracelet campaign launched last Friday; click here for a press release about the event.

 

Millenium Villages Project – the debate continues…

Does the Millenium Villages Project model a formula for long-term success, or does it represent a false façade for development? Read the pros and cons of the MVP in this article from the Guardian’s blog…

 

Open Government Partnership

The nations of the UN have launched a new initiative in order to promote transparency, empower citizens and fight corruption.  Participating governments have all signed a high-level declaration to which they’ll be held accountable.

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Partnerships to improve healthcare

International Organisation the Gavi Alliance works to decrease child mortality through the availability of immunisations and medicines.  This short video clip demonstrates how their use of global partnerships, in accordance with MDG8, is making this possible. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAu3mmqzxS8

 

Kenyan Village Provides Model for Partnership

 A millennium village works together to provide education, work and environmental stability for the whole community.  Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJa7k47I3pg

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