IE Business School Application
A. If you had the opportunity what actions would you demand of the United Nations Secretary General
SUPPORTING NATIONS IN TRANSITION
POST 2015 DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
Millennium Development Goals
To free people from extreme poverty and depravations, all 193 members of the United Nations pledged to achieve these goals:
MDG1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
MDG2: Achieve universal primary education
MDG3: Promote gender equality and empower women
MDG4: Reduce Child Mortality
MDG5: Improve Maternal Health
MDG6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
MDG7: Ensure environmental sustainability
MDG8: Develop a global partnership for development
By:2015
Progress
MDG1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Proportion of people living on less than $1.25/day: 47% 1990 - 24% 2008
Food deprivation and malnutrition continues
MDG2: Achieve Universal Primary Education
Slow progress in primary school enrolment
MDG3: Promote gender equality and empower women
Women gaining representation in parliaments, progress slow
Barriers in employment and education still prevalent
Progress
MDG4: Reduce child mortality
Mortality rate of under 5 year olds declined: 97 deaths per 1000 births to 63
Significant progress remaining
MDG5: Improve maternal health
Maternal mortality declined 47% since 1990, far from 2015 target
Progress slow and uneven
MDG6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Fewer AIDS related deaths, large increases in HIV survival
Number of new HIV/AIDS infections continues to be large
Incidence of malaria and malaria specific mortality rates have fallen
Progress
MDG7: Ensure environmental sustainability
1.1 billion people still have no sanitation facilities
Over 2 billion people have gained access to safe drinking water
MDG8: Develop a global partnership for development
Development aid has fallen due to economic constraints on donor countries
Global economic conditions are threatening to slow progress
Progress has been made, Some targets metMuch work remains
Achieving the MDGs by 2015 is challenging
Issues Poorly designed targets are difficult to substantiate
Misleading statistics not quantifiable indicators of progress
Inequalities which marginalize sections of society
No focus on inequalities, a root cause of poverty
No framework on equity, growth, sustainability
No language on human rights, good governance, security and protection
World has changed significantly since MDGs were formulated
Nevertheless the MDGs have achieved muchThey channeled political energies and
investments Brought about reductions in poverty, disease and child mortality
Improved educational enrollment, water quality, female empowerment, basic health
and other essentials
With two years left, What should the post 2015
framework look like?
Recommendations for the Post 2015 Framework
Global Commitment to Economic Growth & Development:
Rollover existing MDGs,
Promote equity, social and gender equality
Sustainable development
Global agreement – applying to rich and poor countries - with a focus on:
Poverty reduction
Combatting disease & Malnutrition
Public goods & basic necessities - clean water, sanitation facilities
Human capital – primary & secondary education
Human rights & freedoms
Good governance
Recommendations for the Post 2015 Framework
Quantifiable targets as binding global minimum standards
100% primary and secondary school enrollment globally
Eradicate child mortality
Allow nations to set domestic targets, focus on national development issues
Human Rights framework wherein every individual a rights holder
Governments recognize & protect these rights, held accountable
Supporting Nations in TransitionA multifaceted approach to assist countries making the painful transition from authoritarian rule to democratic government:
Promoting the rule of law in fragile and conflict environments
Strengthen justice systems and protect human rights
Peacekeeping, disarmament, demobilization to restore public security
Transparent electoral processes and preparing new constitutions
Promote political accountability and representation of minorities
Build legislative, governmental, financial and educational institutions
Supporting Nations in Transition
Why?
Challenges of creating functioning democracies
Political vacuums and rise of extremism
Thousands of people still in detention
Weak government and active militias
Worldwide allegations of unfair elections
Large build up of armaments due to civil war conditions
Human rights abuses and marginalization of minorities
Controversial new constitutions, as witnessed in Egypt
Political turbulence and disenfranchisement
Challenges of Post Arab Spring world
Supporting Nations in Transition
Promote disarmament and build judicial, legislative, economic and social institutions
Judicial & Legislative
Aid drafting new constitutions which protect human rights
Assist nations in conducting fair and free elections
Training in governance and legislative mechanics
Support the resumptions of courts and judicial reform
Ensure minority rights and representation
Advise budgetary planning
Supporting Nations in Transition
Security & Disarmament
Support national reconciliation in post civil war environments
Disarm , demobilize and reintegrate militias
Securing weapons and non traditional arms
Assist police forces in providing security
Economic & Social
Empower women and encourage political representation
Support refugee rehabilitation
Collaborate with financial institutions and regional development banks
Microfinance initiatives to assist low income groups and small business
Assistance is significant in ensuring a smooth transition to
competent governments, functioning courts, and peace &
security
These investments prevent future conflicts, political turbulence and extremist
governments