"We will have time to reach the Millennium Development Goals – worldwide and in most, or even all, individual countries – but only if we break with business as usual. We cannot win overnight. Success will require sustained action across the entire decade between now and the deadline. It takes time to train the teachers, nurses and engineers; to build the roads, schools and hospitals; to grow the small and large businesses able to create the jobs and income needed. So we must start now. And we must more than double global development assistance over the next few years. Nothing less will help to achieve the Goals." -United Nations Secretary-General
The Millennium Development Campaign is a united effort chartered by the United Nations dedicated to addressing the greatest global challenges to development and progress of the 21st century. At the Millennium Summit in September 2000, world leaders from 189 member states of the UN identified these challenges and pledged their commitment to achieving eight specific Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to be accomplished by the year 2015.
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Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
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Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
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Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
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Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
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Goal 5: Improve maternal health
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Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
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Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
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Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development
The Millennium Development Goals identify the needs of the world’s poorest and establish a united global agenda dedicated to eradicating poverty, promoting sustainable development and protecting human-rights. Today we are halfway to the 2015 deadline and the world has made significant progress in achieving many of the development goals. Each day more and more people are learning about the Millennium Campaign and beginning to take action. However, despite increased awareness not all of the goals have received the same attention and not enough progress has been made towards establishing a world of greater equality and opportunity.
The 2007 Millennium Development Progress Report suggests that the goals are still achievable even in the countries where the challenges are greatest, but progress will be heavily dependent upon the assistance and commitment of developed nations and the stewardship of individuals.