UN Briefing: Stand Up and End Poverty Now
Medical Mission Sisters in Fox Chase joined the rest of the world in having this event in our Chapel during Sunday Worship on October 18, 2009 at 10 a.m. About 97 people participated in the event. Members stood up for a minute of silence and joined in prayer with the rest of humanity around the world who also took action to put an end to poverty that is affecting millions.
A Guinness World Record shattered this weekend when 173,045,325 citizens gathered at over 3,000 events in more than 120 countries, demanding that their governments eradicate extreme poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
2nd Global Civil Society Forum
Voices of African Mothers, Inc. (VAM)
In Collaboration with
MDG Global Watch
Under the Distinguished Patronage of the
Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, Accra, Ghana
July 13-16 2009
The conference will focus on providing civil society organizations, engaged in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, an opportunity for networking and knowledge sharing including the presentation and discussion of best practices.
The first Civil Society Forum was successfully organized in Paramaribo, Suriname from 2-4 May, 2007. It was at this meeting that it was decided to hold the second Forum in Accra, Ghana in 2009.
I. Main Theme
“The Critical Role of Women in the Attainment of the
Millennium Development Goals”
II. Expected Outcomes
Solutions to challenges caused by the global food crisis for women, children and other vulnerable groups
Lessons learned and best practices in the attainment of Millennium Development Goal #2 – a case study
of Ghana
Men and women working together in the attainment of gender equality and empowerment of women
Reducing child mortality and improving maternal health
Building effective partnerships for the attainment of Millennium Development Goals
Effective leadership in addressing the stigma and discrimination arising from HIV/AIDS
For more information - E-mail: events@vam
New York (USA) – Accra Ghana
(914) 968-5596
(347) 623-2851
EE
(USA) Accra, Ghana
New York (USA) Accra, Ghana
(914) 968-5596
(347) 623-2851others.org
233.277.595.916
233.244.749.204
233.202.017.882
Email: Ugabo2@Yahoo.com
*********************
Recognizing the achievements, addressing the challenges and getting back on track to achieve the MDGs by 2015
April 6, 2008 Report
A thematic debate of the General Assembly (GA) entitled “Recognizing the achievements, addressing the challenges and getting back on track to achieve the MDGs by 2015”, took place on April 1 – 2, 2008 at the UN head quarters, New York. The international community has reached the mid point to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 and the need was felt to redouble efforts to achieve the goals. The scenario is critical and calls for urgent action from all stakeholders. Many countries are off track in achieving the MDGs by 2015, and it is the least a government can do for its people. This debate was intended to once more galvanize upfront efforts to keep MDGs in the forefront.
The event began with the opening statements by the President of the GA and Secretary-General (SG) of the UN. There were three Panel discussions on Poverty and Hunger, Education and Health. SG in his statement brought out the fact that the primary school enrolment has increased in countries like Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Many countries in Asia have led the way with the fastest reduction in extreme poverty in human history. SG announced that there is going to be a high level event on September 25, 2008 on MDGs in New York. He also brought out the fact that more needs to be done to achieve gender equality and promote women’s rights, to empower women economically and to include them in decision making in all levels.
The President of the GA stated that achieving the MDGs was fundamentally a test of the world’s global partnership for development among Member States, the private sector, civil society and the global public. “We are facing a crisis – a development emergency,” he said.
The International Finance Facility for Immunization backed by the Foundations and some European Governments, Brazil and South Africa is working on mobilizing $4 billion to enable 500 million children to be vaccinated and at least 5 million lives to be saved by 2015. Mr. Ted Turner, Chairman of Turner Enterprises and Chairman, UN Foundation, who was the Keynote speaker, expressed his love for the Organization. In a press conference, he said, “Had it not been for the UN, humanity would have gone a long time ago.” The United Methodist Church and Lutheran World Relief had pledged to raise $200 million towards the elimination of malaria.
In the Panel Discussion on Poverty and Hunger, Mr. Collier of St. Anthony’s College said that the full integration of the “bottom billion” into the global manufacturing economy was also essential for eradicating poverty and hunger.
Dr. Jeffery Sachs, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, stated that the international community had been “stuck on the same path for the past six years”. Increased commitments are made, but nothing happens. He went on to add that, ‘we come back year after year with the same failure’. In his opinion, agriculture was key in every dimension for tackling hunger and poverty.
In the panel on Health Dr. Thoraya A. Obaid, Executive Director of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) stated that an estimated $6 billion in additional funding was needed each year to reduce maternal and newborn mortality. She further said that social investments are essential for economic growth. Investing in women is one of the best investments a government can make. Health of women and development needs to be made a priority, she added. One aspect of Universal Declaration of Human Rights is health. Every year, more than 500,000 women died needlessly from complications during pregnancy or childbirth. Cuba had built a comprehensive national system capable of delivering health-care services to all.
Many speakers focused on the need for innovative financing mechanisms; the feminization of HIV/AIDS; finding funding for the development of new medicines; guaranteeing access to care; and to see that policies set in place further enhance achieving the above. They also touched on issues like universal education, empowering women and impact of climate change on development. A representative from Africa stated that Africa had made the least progress towards the Goals related to poverty, education and health care. Delegate from Denmark stated that gender equality was not only a basic human right, but also smart economics. Kenya stated that most African countries were far off track in achieving the MDGs. China mentioned that the developed countries needed to show sincerity in fulfilling its commitment of devoting 0.7 % of their gross domestic product for assistance to poor countries.
Since the first day was devoted to panel presentations and since there was a large number of delegates that took the floor, the debate had to be extended for two more days to accommodate all the delegates and the debate concluded on April 4, 2008. A very lively and rich discussion took place.
For more information of the all the deliberations please visit:
www.un.org/ga/president/62/ThematicDebates /mdgthematicdebate.shtml
On October 16, 17 and 18th, millions of people around the world participated in the “Stand Up and Take Action” against poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals. More than 173 Million People Gather at "Stand Up, Take Action, End Poverty Now!" events, setting new world record for largest mobilization in history. The mobilization sent a clear message to world leaders that people refuse to be silent in the face of ongoing poverty and inequality. This is the fourth year this event is taking place, and breaks the record each year.