Reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

An overview of the current processAn overview of the current process

and its implications for UNESCOand its implications for UNESCOBSP/PMR, July 2002

A. Defining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Why the MDGs ? What are the MDGs ?

Why the MDGs ?

The 1990s: a decade of faltering progressThe 1990s: a decade of faltering progress progress continuedprogress continued … … but too slowly to reach agreed targetsbut too slowly to reach agreed targets … … and slowing downand slowing down

Under-5 mortality rate

Maternal mortality rate

Child malnutrition

Water and sanitation

Income poverty

Primary education

MDGs are meant to accelerate progressMDGs are meant to accelerate progress

MDGs were set by all Government leaders at the UN Millennium Summit, September 2000)

All UN organisations decided to be guided by MDGs in their future action: unity of purpose, coherent action, synergies and strategic approaches by the UN system as a whole (guided by CEB)

Leaders pledged to strive, individually and collectively, towards these goals through international, regional and national action, concerted by the UN.

What are the MDGs ?

MDGs are a combination of … Millennium Goals …Millennium Goals …

Emanate from Emanate from UN Summits and Conferences of the 1990s…UN Summits and Conferences of the 1990s… … … proposed in the proposed in the UN Secretary-General’s UN Secretary-General’s Millennium ReportMillennium Report: :

« We, the peoples: the role of the United Nations in the 21st « We, the peoples: the role of the United Nations in the 21st century »century »

… … and endorsed in the and endorsed in the United Nations Millennium DeclarationUnited Nations Millennium Declaration (8 (8 September 2000)September 2000)

7 areas explicitly addressed in the Millennium Declaration:7 areas explicitly addressed in the Millennium Declaration: Peace, security and disarmamentPeace, security and disarmament Development and poverty eradicationDevelopment and poverty eradication Protecting our common environmentProtecting our common environment Human rights, democracy and good governanceHuman rights, democracy and good governance Protecting the vulnerableProtecting the vulnerable Meeting the special needs of AfricaMeeting the special needs of Africa Strengthening the United NationsStrengthening the United Nations

Development goals& targets

… … and of International Development Goals and of International Development Goals (IDGs)(IDGs)

For several of these key areas, specific indicators were For several of these key areas, specific indicators were included in the Millennium Declaration – constituting the included in the Millennium Declaration – constituting the international development goals (IDG)international development goals (IDG)

Subsequently, IDGs from other declarations were combined Subsequently, IDGs from other declarations were combined and harmonised with the IDGs set in and harmonised with the IDGs set in the Millennium the Millennium Declaration goalsDeclaration goals

The resulting The resulting set of goals, numerical targets and set of goals, numerical targets and quantifiable indicators to assess progress constitute the quantifiable indicators to assess progress constitute the Millennium Development GoalsMillennium Development Goals… …

… … presented in the SG’s presented in the SG’s “Road map towards the “Road map towards the implementation of the United Nations Millennium implementation of the United Nations Millennium Declaration”Declaration” (September 2001)(September 2001)

MDGs: 8 goals, 18 targets, 48 indicators (as of 22 May 2002)

Goal 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hungerGoal 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hungerGoal 2. Achieve universal primary educationGoal 2. Achieve universal primary educationGoal 3. Promote gender equality and empower womenGoal 3. Promote gender equality and empower womenGoal 4. Reduce child mortalityGoal 4. Reduce child mortalityGoal 5. Improve maternal healthGoal 5. Improve maternal healthGoal 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseasesGoal 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseasesGoal 7. Ensure environmental sustainabilityGoal 7. Ensure environmental sustainabilityGoal 8. Develop a Global Partnership for DevelopmentGoal 8. Develop a Global Partnership for Development

For each goal: one or several targets; one or several indicatorsFor each goal: one or several targets; one or several indicatorsHowever, several key areas identified have not been captured adequately However, several key areas identified have not been captured adequately or at allor at all

See list of MDGs (goals, targets and indicators)See list of MDGs (goals, targets and indicators)

MDGs: Drawbacks and lacunae Essential goals/targets/indicators are missing from the

MDGs – especially in areas of concern to UNESCO. However…

… they may be referred to in other provisions of the Millennium Declaration,…

… or in other 1990s Conference documents, including those convened by UNESCO.

Principle: «The list of millennium development goals does not undercut in any way agreements on other goals and targets reached at the global conferences of the 1990s.” (Kofi Annan, “Road Map…”, September 2001)

B. Progressing towards the MDGs

Overall strategyOverall strategy Key instruments and mechanismsKey instruments and mechanisms Coordinating and monitoring progressCoordinating and monitoring progress

Proposed overall strategy for achieving the MDGs (as of 7 June 2002)

Three complementary initiatives:Three complementary initiatives: the the Millennium ProjectMillennium Project, a research initiative to be led by Professor Sachs, , a research initiative to be led by Professor Sachs,

under guidance of UNSG and UNDP Admnistrator, including (1) a UN Expert under guidance of UNSG and UNDP Admnistrator, including (1) a UN Expert Group (with Group (with UNESCOUNESCO representation), (2) an International advisory panel, (3) representation), (2) an International advisory panel, (3) 10 Task Forces (10 Task Forces (UNESCOUNESCO to play a role) to play a role)

the the Millennium ReportsMillennium Reports, an effort to oversee comprehensive global and , an effort to oversee comprehensive global and national reporting and monitoring of progress, andnational reporting and monitoring of progress, and

the the Global Millennium CampaignGlobal Millennium Campaign, a special initiative aimed at building , a special initiative aimed at building awareness and creating new coalitions for action across North and South for awareness and creating new coalitions for action across North and South for development generally and the MDGs in particular. development generally and the MDGs in particular.

with emphasis on:with emphasis on: country-level action and reportingcountry-level action and reporting greater system-wide coordinationgreater system-wide coordination

See text Jeffrey SachsSee text Jeffrey Sachs

Global coordination and monitoring ““Campaign manager” and “scorekeeper” for the MDGs Campaign manager” and “scorekeeper” for the MDGs

within the UN systemwithin the UN system: Mark Malloch Brown (in his : Mark Malloch Brown (in his capacity as Chair of the UNDG) (December 2001);capacity as Chair of the UNDG) (December 2001);

SG’s “Special Adviser on the MDGs”SG’s “Special Adviser on the MDGs” : Professor Jeffrey : Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Earth Institute,Columbia University, with a Sachs, Director, Earth Institute,Columbia University, with a brief to work closely with Mr Malloch Brown on these issuesbrief to work closely with Mr Malloch Brown on these issues (February 2002)(February 2002)

DESA/SGDESA/SG: annual reports to the General Assembly: : annual reports to the General Assembly: comprehensive (every 5 years beginning in 2005) and comprehensive (every 5 years beginning in 2005) and thematic (yearly):thematic (yearly):

- 2002: preventing armed conflicts and the treatment and prevention of diseases;- 2002: preventing armed conflicts and the treatment and prevention of diseases;

- 2003: financing or development and strategies for sustainable development;- 2003: financing or development and strategies for sustainable development;- 2004: bridging the digital divide and curbing transnational crime- 2004: bridging the digital divide and curbing transnational crime

MDGs: Key actors

United Nations Development Group United Nations Development Group (UNDG) – with UNESCO as a member(UNDG) – with UNESCO as a member

Chief Executives Board (CEB; formerly Chief Executives Board (CEB; formerly ACC) – with UNESCO as a memberACC) – with UNESCO as a member

UN Country TeamsUN Country Teams

Key role of UNDG in system-wide & country-level mobilization for MDGs

Executive Committee

UNDP (Chair) UNICEF UNFPA WFPUNIFEMUNIFEM DESADESAUNCTADUNCTAD UNAIDSUNAIDSIFAD IFAD UNDCPUNDCPOHCHROHCHR UNCHSUNCHSUN-HabitatUN-Habitat UNOPSUNOPSFAO, ILO, UNIDO, WHOFAO, ILO, UNIDO, WHOUNESCOUNESCO Regional CommissionsRegional CommissionsHigh Commissioner for Human RightsHigh Commissioner for Human RightsSpecial Representative of the SG for Children in Special Representative of the SG for Children in

Armed ConflictArmed ConflictObserver: World BankObserver: World Bank

UNDG and its machineryUNDG Executive CommitteeUNDG Executive Committee

supported by UNDP Development supported by UNDP Development Group Office (DGO) as secretariatGroup Office (DGO) as secretariat

UNDG Programme CommitteeUNDG Programme CommitteeUNDG Working Group on MDGsUNDG Working Group on MDGsMillennium Campaign UnitMillennium Campaign UnitMillennium Project Expert GroupMillennium Project Expert Groupand other ad hoc groups, as requiredand other ad hoc groups, as required

The arbiter : the Chief Executives Board - CEB (former ACC)

27 Members UNDPUNDP UNFPAUNFPA UNICEFUNICEF WFPWFP ODCCPODCCP UNHCRUNHCR IFADIFAD UNCTADUNCTAD UNEPUNEP

ILOILO FAOFAO UNESCOUNESCO UNIDOUNIDO WHOWHO World BankWorld Bank IMFIMF

UNRWAUNRWA ITUITU ICAOICAO UPUUPU WMOWMO WIPOWIPO IAEAIAEA WTOWTO

UNUN DESADESA OCHAOCHA HCHRHCHR Reg. Coms.Reg. Coms. UNUUNU UNITARUNITAR

Assisted Assisted by the by the High-Level Committee on Programmes (HLCP)High-Level Committee on Programmes (HLCP) and the and the High-Level Committee on Management (HLCM).High-Level Committee on Management (HLCM).

See Minutes of the CEB retreat in Rome (11 April 2002) on MDGsSee Minutes of the CEB retreat in Rome (11 April 2002) on MDGs

MDGs: Key instruments

The Common Country Assessment (CCA) The Common Country Assessment (CCA) – United Nations Development Assistance – United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF)Framework (UNDAF)

MDG Country reportsMDG Country reports

N.B.: these instruments are new or being revised

A thoroughly re-oriented CCA/UNDAF Goal:Goal: to create a to create a singlesingle common development assistance common development assistance

framework (UNDAF) for all UN programmes at country-level, framework (UNDAF) for all UN programmes at country-level, with common objectives and time framewith common objectives and time frame,, identifying priorities for actionidentifying priorities for action

identifying areas where the UN can make a significant, identifying areas where the UN can make a significant, strategic difference (especially in favor of the poorest strategic difference (especially in favor of the poorest

and and most vulnerable) – including in UNESCO domainsmost vulnerable) – including in UNESCO domains strengthening the coherence of the UN system as a strengthening the coherence of the UN system as a wholewhole

Being revised to include MDG targets and indicators,Being revised to include MDG targets and indicators, which which are now an essential are now an essential sub-setsub-set in the 2002 revised CCA Indicator in the 2002 revised CCA Indicator FrameworkFramework

See 2002 Revised ACC/UNDAF GuidelinesSee 2002 Revised ACC/UNDAF Guidelines

A UNDP-coordinated initiativeA UNDP-coordinated initiative An essential tool for country-level coordination and An essential tool for country-level coordination and

monitoringmonitoring Mainly descriptive, not prescriptive or analyticalMainly descriptive, not prescriptive or analytical Adapted to country priorities (relevant goals, targets, Adapted to country priorities (relevant goals, targets,

indicators)indicators) Several pilot reports already completed (Bolivia, Several pilot reports already completed (Bolivia,

Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Madagascar, Mauritius, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Madagascar, Mauritius, Tanzania and Viet Nam), 40 more in preparation in Tanzania and Viet Nam), 40 more in preparation in 2002.2002.

By the end of 2004, every programme country is expected to By the end of 2004, every programme country is expected to produce at least one MDGR in time for the Secretary-produce at least one MDGR in time for the Secretary-General’s global report on MDG progress in 2005.General’s global report on MDG progress in 2005.

MDG Country Reports

Status of UNESCO’s involvement

Revised CCA-UNDAF: need to be involved in the Revised CCA-UNDAF: need to be involved in the 5 UNDG pilot countries selected (Benin, Ecuador, 5 UNDG pilot countries selected (Benin, Ecuador, Kenya, Madagascar and Pakistan)Kenya, Madagascar and Pakistan)

Country-level MDG Reports: need to develop Country-level MDG Reports: need to develop UNESCO’s involvementUNESCO’s involvement

Problem: insufficient presence in many countriesProblem: insufficient presence in many countries CEB and UNDG (including CEB’s HLGP and CEB and UNDG (including CEB’s HLGP and

UNDG’sWorking Group on MDGs)UNDG’sWorking Group on MDGs)

C. Implications for UNESCO

How comprehensive ?How comprehensive ? Some major issuesSome major issues Immediate challenges for Immediate challenges for

UNESCOUNESCO

How comprehensive are MDGs?

Are the strategic interests and programmatic Are the strategic interests and programmatic priorities of UNESCO adequately reflected priorities of UNESCO adequately reflected in the MDGs ?in the MDGs ?

Do MDGs sufficiently incorporate existing Do MDGs sufficiently incorporate existing goals, commitments and plans of action set goals, commitments and plans of action set by or developed within UNESCO ?by or developed within UNESCO ?

MDGs and natural sciences Millennium Declaration aims at « Protecting our Millennium Declaration aims at « Protecting our

common environment »common environment » The word « science » is not mentioned at all in the The word « science » is not mentioned at all in the

Millennium DeclarationMillennium Declaration No mention of ethics of science No mention of ethics of science (« new ethic of (« new ethic of

preservation and stewarship »)preservation and stewarship ») MDGs focus on environmental sustainability, with MDGs focus on environmental sustainability, with

strong implications for strong implications for UNESCO’s water-related UNESCO’s water-related programmesprogrammesGoal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

Target 9: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental

resources

Target 10: Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water

MDGs and social and human sciences

Millennium Declaration strongly emphasizes Millennium Declaration strongly emphasizes the role of human rights, and the values of the role of human rights, and the values of freedom, justice, solidarity and shared freedom, justice, solidarity and shared responsibilityresponsibility

MDG # 8 on « Develop a Global Partnership MDG # 8 on « Develop a Global Partnership for Development »for Development »

Target # 11 related to slum-dwellersTarget # 11 related to slum-dwellers

MDGs and culture

The Millennium Declaration addresses The Millennium Declaration addresses culture of peace and dialogue among culture of peace and dialogue among civilizations, and cultural diversity, but only civilizations, and cultural diversity, but only in its part on « Values and principles »:in its part on « Values and principles »: « « Human Human beings must respect one other, in all their diversity of belief, culture and beings must respect one other, in all their diversity of belief, culture and language. Differences within and between societies should be neither language. Differences within and between societies should be neither feared nor repressed, but cherished as a precious asset of humanity. A feared nor repressed, but cherished as a precious asset of humanity. A culture of peace and dialogue among all civilizations should be actively culture of peace and dialogue among all civilizations should be actively promoted.”promoted.”

There are no culture-related MDGsThere are no culture-related MDGs

MDGs and communication - information NICTs, freedom of the media and right of the NICTs, freedom of the media and right of the

public to have access to information strongly public to have access to information strongly advocated in the Millennium Declarationadvocated in the Millennium Declaration

No mention of the « digital divide » in the No mention of the « digital divide » in the Millennium DeclarationMillennium Declaration

MDG Target 18: « MDG Target 18: « In co-operation with the In co-operation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and technologies, especially information and communications »communications »

Indicator 47. Indicator 47. Telephone lines per 1000 peopleTelephone lines per 1000 people

Indicator 48. Indicator 48. Personal computers per 1000 peoplePersonal computers per 1000 peopleOther Indicators to be developedOther Indicators to be developed

MDGs and education

Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education

Target 3. Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling

6. Net enrolment ratio in primary education7. Proportion of pupils starting grade 1 who reach grade 58. Literacy rate of 15-24-year-olds

Other related goals/targets/indicators (HIV/AIDS, poverty, …)

+

Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women 

9. Ratio of girls to boys in primary, secondary and tertiary education10. Ratio of literate females to males of 15-to-24-year-olds

(including)

(including)

Target 4. Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and to all levels of education no later than 2015

Education MDGs and EFA : establishing linkages

MDG goals:MDG goals: By 2015, to ensure that children By 2015, to ensure that children

everywhere, boys and girls alike, everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course will be able to complete a full course of primary schoolingof primary schooling

Eliminate gender disparity Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary in primary and secondary education preferably by education preferably by 2005 and to all levels of 2005 and to all levels of education no later than education no later than 2015.2015.

EFA goals:EFA goals:

1.1. Early childhood educationEarly childhood education

2.2. UPE (free, compulsory and UPE (free, compulsory and of quality) by 2015of quality) by 2015

3.3. Learning needs of young Learning needs of young people and adultspeople and adults

4.4. Adult literacy increase by 50% Adult literacy increase by 50% by 2015by 2015

5.5. Gender parity by 2005 Gender parity by 2005 (primary and secondary), (primary and secondary), gender equality by 2015gender equality by 2015

6.6. Quality of educationQuality of education

NB: The UNGASS on Children (May 2002) set a 90 percent target for primary education by 2010

Major challenges for UNESCO

1.1. Ensuring a proper reflection of UNESCO’s priorities, Ensuring a proper reflection of UNESCO’s priorities, content-wise and process-wisecontent-wise and process-wise

2.2. Ensuring UNESCO’s participation and representation Ensuring UNESCO’s participation and representation at global (UNDG/CEB)/country-level (UN country at global (UNDG/CEB)/country-level (UN country team)team)

3.3. Sensitising all UNESCO programme managers that Sensitising all UNESCO programme managers that ALL UNESCO programmes must henceforth be related ALL UNESCO programmes must henceforth be related to and cast in the context of MDGsto and cast in the context of MDGs

This is a problem shared by all specialized agencies (e.g.: ILO, WHO, FAO…)

Some immediate requirements for UNESCO

1.1. Contribute to review of CCA/UNDAFs for 5 pilot Contribute to review of CCA/UNDAFs for 5 pilot countries (Benin, Ecuador, Kenya, Madagascar and countries (Benin, Ecuador, Kenya, Madagascar and Pakistan)Pakistan)

2.2. Contribute to work of UN country teams in pursuit of Contribute to work of UN country teams in pursuit of MDG Global Campaign and national MDG reportsMDG Global Campaign and national MDG reports

3.3. Contribute to monitoring and reporting on MDG Contribute to monitoring and reporting on MDG attainment (including UIS involvement)attainment (including UIS involvement)

4.4. Contribute to (UNDP) Human Development Report Contribute to (UNDP) Human Development Report 2003 (with its focus on MDGs)2003 (with its focus on MDGs)

……/…/…

……/…/…

Solidify UNESCO’s presence, participation and Solidify UNESCO’s presence, participation and substantive contribution on all issues raised substantive contribution on all issues raised within UNDG and its sub-groupswithin UNDG and its sub-groups

Senior presence at major intergovernmental Senior presence at major intergovernmental events (such as ECOSOC, General Assembly) events (such as ECOSOC, General Assembly) to pursue UNESCO’s strategic intereststo pursue UNESCO’s strategic interests

In-house information, communication and In-house information, communication and training (of staff at HQ+field) on MDGstraining (of staff at HQ+field) on MDGs

MDG monitoring and reporting requirements

At the global level:At the global level: contribute to thematic reports emanating from Prof. contribute to thematic reports emanating from Prof. Sachs’ MDG Project;Sachs’ MDG Project; obtain agreement of all partners that EFA Monitoring obtain agreement of all partners that EFA Monitoring

Report serve as the main global reporting tool on the two Report serve as the main global reporting tool on the two education-related MDGs and other international MDG-education-related MDGs and other international MDG-related instruments (such as PRSPs);related instruments (such as PRSPs);

contribute to the statutory annual reporting to DESA.contribute to the statutory annual reporting to DESA.

At the national level:At the national level: contribute and highlight UNESCO input to country-level contribute and highlight UNESCO input to country-level MDG Reports;MDG Reports; contribute to CCA-UNDAF activities at the country-contribute to CCA-UNDAF activities at the country-level.level.

Solidify UNESCO’spresence, participation

and contribution to UNDG Designate offices responsible for substantive input at HQDesignate offices responsible for substantive input at HQ Ensure substantive capacity by NYO, beyond present factual reporting on Ensure substantive capacity by NYO, beyond present factual reporting on

developmentsdevelopments Mainstream knowledge about MDGs and promote linkage to MDGs in Mainstream knowledge about MDGs and promote linkage to MDGs in

activities of all Programme Sectors and Field Offices activities of all Programme Sectors and Field Offices Raise UNESCO’s profile in MDG-related foraRaise UNESCO’s profile in MDG-related fora::

at the global level (CEB, UNDG; sectoral contributions to CCA/UNDAF)at the global level (CEB, UNDG; sectoral contributions to CCA/UNDAF)

at the country-level : preparation of CCA/UNDAF and MDG country reports at the country-level : preparation of CCA/UNDAF and MDG country reports (NB: this may have budgetary implications)(NB: this may have budgetary implications)

Emphasize relevance to MDGs of existing frameworks and mechanismsEmphasize relevance to MDGs of existing frameworks and mechanisms where UNESCO plays or can play a lead / coordinating / significant role where UNESCO plays or can play a lead / coordinating / significant role (especially EFA)(especially EFA)

Promote UNESCO issuesPromote UNESCO issues (cultural diversity, dialogue, peace, science, (cultural diversity, dialogue, peace, science, communication, quality education, etc.) in context of MDG pursuit and within communication, quality education, etc.) in context of MDG pursuit and within framework of UNDG/CEB.framework of UNDG/CEB.

In-house information,communication and training

Demonstrate UNESCO’s institutional Demonstrate UNESCO’s institutional commitmentcommitment

give higher profile to MDGs in institutional information -- including C/4, give higher profile to MDGs in institutional information -- including C/4, C/5, regional strategies, EX/GC documents, speeches, press releases, etc.C/5, regional strategies, EX/GC documents, speeches, press releases, etc.

contribute to UNDG’s Communication Strategy at all levels (including contribute to UNDG’s Communication Strategy at all levels (including country-level).country-level).

develop MDG-related UNESCO Website (in progress by BSP, at develop MDG-related UNESCO Website (in progress by BSP, at www.unesco.org/bsp)www.unesco.org/bsp)

ensure timely information and backstopping to sectors and Field Offices ensure timely information and backstopping to sectors and Field Offices on scheduled ACC/UNDAF, PRSPs, etc.on scheduled ACC/UNDAF, PRSPs, etc.

Increase in-house awarenessIncrease in-house awareness develop staff training modules on interagency cooperation – including develop staff training modules on interagency cooperation – including

revised CCA/UNDAF, MDGs and UN reform processes – with special revised CCA/UNDAF, MDGs and UN reform processes – with special focus on Field staff (drawing on sample modules by other UNDG/CEB focus on Field staff (drawing on sample modules by other UNDG/CEB organisations).organisations).

reflect on the effectivesness of UNESCO’s past interagency contribution reflect on the effectivesness of UNESCO’s past interagency contribution and develop a strategy for enhancing influence and impact.and develop a strategy for enhancing influence and impact.

http://www.unesco.org/bsp/eng/mdg.htm