Comment: Millennium Development Goals

Brad Watson
Lecturer in international development studies, Faculty of Arts
Avondale College

“Knock, knock.”

“Who’s there?”

“The MDGs.”

“MDGs who?”

“You’re kidding, right? We’re the Millennium Development Goals. You know, the biggest attempt ever to make the world fairer. We arrived in the neighbourhood in 2000.”

“So, this isn’t a joke?”

“No! There’s eight of us. We’re huge and we’re global and we’re on a mission. With your help, we’re going to reduce poverty and hunger, get all primary-age children in school, empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, target HIV and other diseases, make a more sustainable environment and partner for development.”

“With my help? It sounds impossible.”

“It isn’t.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m a bit busy to save the world today. You know, I’ve got stuff to do. You can come back in 2015 if you want. No, just kidding. What can I do?”

“Well, we’re here to remind you that in 2000 the largest gathering of world leaders decided to increase aid and reduce poverty by 2015. We’re the eight goals they agreed on and time is running out. Australia promised to increase its aid budget to point seven per cent of GDP, but it’s hardly halfway there. Its slack.”

“I’m fairly busy.”

“You can’t be too busy to stand up against poverty and tell the politicians what is important. Get your local church to stand up. Stand up yourself. In September, the world’s leaders are meeting to discuss the MDGs. Let them know what you think.”

“Will it make a difference?”

“We are making a difference already. God says to feed the hungry and protect the widow. That’s no joke.”