MDG # 8: Develop Global Partnership for Development

The MDGs represent a global partnership that has grown from the commitments and targets established at the world summits of the 1990s. Responding to the world's main development challenges and to the calls of civil society, the MDGs promote poverty reduction, education, maternal health, gender equality, and aim at combating child mortality, AIDS and other diseases. Set for the year 2015, the MDGs are an agreed set of goals that can be achieved if all actors work together and do their part. Poor countries have pledged to govern better, and invest in their people through health care and education. Rich countries have pledged to support them, through aid, debt relief, and fairer trade

It is my firm belief that globalization in today’s world has its influence beyond the traditional sectors of business. With free movement of goods/merchandise, it is not merely an exchange/acceptance of goods, but understanding and imbibing a different culture/tradition. It is increasingly necessary to recognize that sharing of knowledge across boundaries will lead to effective methods of development and progress. Young People, who represent our tomorrow, face many challenges and problems particular to them especially problems related to sexual issues and are most vulnerable because of the same. The understanding of social, religious, cultural factors on youth is important in drafting any policy, for youth frame the next generation who will be affected by it.

The problems facing us, challenge not only today’s societies, but future generations as well. It is essential to consider the option of working in partnerships in seeking to address these challenges, for no one can exist in isolation. Indirectly, billions of dollars of current investments are going into crystallizing policies, programs, institutions, and social realities that dramatically affect us today (some highly positive, some not so positive). In most nations, people have little knowledge, and even less say, on how these investments affect their lives daily. It is important to understand that people are the experts on the issues that affect them and as such, are integral to achieving effective and enduring solutions. By empowering ourselves, the needed skills and understanding for global partnerships and other leadership ability, we shall be more prepared to participate fully in society and decision making processes, thus become engaged as one of the partners in shaping the world we will inherit and pass onto future generations.

It will also ensure a better establishment of guideposts in our lives and the social and economic institutions that sustain them, and to facilitate access to leading thinkers and practitioners who are engaged in areas related to community and economic development which the program promises. This will lead to more informed choices by us and hence will create a positive impact on the world through ourselves, our peers and social circles.

(This article is a part of my essay on MDG # 8 : Develop Global Partnership for Development for Voice on MDGs)