Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Millennium Development Goals

Eradication of extreme poverty and hunger by 2015 is the first Millennium Development Goal. In addition to broader approaches, the Sachs Report (for the UN Millennium Project) proposes a series of "quick wins", approaches identified by development experts which would cost relatively little but could have a major constructive effect on world poverty. The quick wins are:
*Directly assisting local entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and create jobs.
*Access to information on sexual and reproductive health.
*Action against domestic violence.
*Appointing government scientific advisors in every country.
*Deworming school children in affected areas.
*Drugs for AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
*Eliminating school fees.
*Ending user fees for basic health care in developing countries.
*Free school meals for schoolchildren.
*Legislation for women’s rights, including rights to property.
*Planting trees.
*Providing soil nutrients to farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.
*Providing mosquito nets.
*Access to electricity, water and sanitation.
*Supporting breast-feeding.
*Training programs for community health in rural areas.
*Upgrading slums, and providing land for public housing