OzSpirit: Millennium Development Goals


Issue 78	click headlines to read the full text

Millennium Development Goals
The birth of the Millennium in 2000 was a memorable event. A great deal of hype and excitement surrounded the leap into the 21st Century. Many people saw the birth of the new millennium as an opportunity to start afresh, to set not only New Year resolutions but also New Millennium resolutions. The United Nations was therefore not alone when in September 2000 it laid down a set of resolutions at the Millennium Summit. The summit brought together development agencies, civil organisations and Heads of State from across the world (Prime Minister John Howard attended on behalf of Australia ). However, millennium resolutions were different as they concerned not only individuals but also the whole global community. The resolutions, which are still alive, are concerned with freeing all men, women and children in our world from the conditions that tie them to extreme poverty.

World to fall short of child health targets
Fewer than one-in-five developing countries are likely to meet UN targets for reducing child and maternal mortality by 2015. Currently, one in 11 children in low-income countries dies before reaching five, most from preventable diseases and health problems, compared with one in 143 in rich states. ABC

Political will essential for MDGs to be achieved
While enough resources exist in the world for MDGs to be achieved, the political will of rich nations is still missing, says a Rwandan Minister. IPPMedia

'An Asian Miracle'
The number of people living in poverty in Asia and the Pacific dropped considerably during the 1990s. However 768 million people in the region still survive on less than one dollar a day. UNDP

Cambodia

Cambodia. Photo: Sean Sprague 1997

Australian Indigenous health comparable to poor nations
Health standards for Indigenous Australians are below those of impoverished countries such as Sudan, Sierra Leone and Nepal . According to the Fred Hollows Foundation, the percentage of Indigenous Australian infants with low birthweight during the 1990s was comparable with countries such as China , Ghana and Sudan. SMH

What will your world be like in 2015?
A global e-survey seeks your opinion on what you think are the biggest threats to the world in the lead-up to 2015, the date for completion of the Millennium Development Goals. What do you think are the priorities for our government? Compare your thoughts with others from around the world. BBC

Human Development Report
UNDP's Human Development Report outlines both the progress and decline in human development and provides a comprehensive look at the Millennium Development Goals and the path to achieving them. Includes a link to the Human Development Indicators, an annual report which records statistics such as literacy, infant mortality and life expectancy for every country in the world. UNDP

The Millennium Prayer
"Form us into a community,
a people who care,
expressing your compassion."
Catholic Doors

Compass: Sisters of Charity
The Sisters of Charity, one of the most progressive groups within the Catholic Church, have been socially active in Australia for over 150 years. They operate the only 24-hour crisis accommodation service for domestic violence victims in Liverpool, western Sydney, as well as many other programs in welfare, health and education. As their Congregation ages and less of the Sisters are around for active involvement, how will their work continue?
Good Friday April 9, ABC-TV 7.30pm

Caritas Latest

Fundraising dinner - East Timor at the crossroads
Fine dining, provocative thinking, a sophisticated venue and a good cause will all be combined at a unique event to be held in Sydney at the end of this month.
Nobel Peace Laureate and the Minister of Foreign Affairs in East Timor, His Excellency Dr Jose Ramos-Horta, will be the keynote speaker at a fundraising dinner for the people of East Timor to be held on April 30.