Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
The MDGs consist of eight overarching goals, each to be achieved
by 2015:
•
Eradicate extreme hunger and poverty
•
Achieve universal primary education
•
Promote gender equality and empower women
•
Reduce child mortality
•
Improve maternal health
•
Combat HIV, malaria and other diseases
•
Ensure environmental sustainability
•
Develop a global partnership for development.
These eight specific goals are reflected in 18 associated targets (Rigg,
2008). In turn, the targets are linked to 48 detailed indicators although,
as argued by Black and White (2004), not all of these are defined in very
precise terms. Together they can be regarded as comprising a compre-
hensive agenda for global development in the twenty-first century.
The whole idea is that the MDGs should amount to realistic and
achievable goals and targets. Reflecting their earlier origins, statistics
measuring progress with the MDGs are frequently presented from
1990, although the MDGs proper relate to the period 2000-15. Thus,
2007-8 represented the midpoint toward the achievement of the MDGs,
as originally defined.
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Progress in Achieving the MDGs to 2015
The vital issue is, of course, how much exactly has been achieved so far
and, on the present trends, which of the goals are likely to be achieved by
the 2015 deadline? As Rigg (2008) concludes, the unequivocal answer has
to be that while there has been good progress in respect of some of the
goals in certain regions of the world, overall progress can only be described
as 'patchy'. For example, progress has and will be made in respect of one
of the major targets relating to the 'eradication' of poverty and hunger -
that of reducing by half the proportion of people living on less than around
US$1 a day (although this indicator has lately been increased to US$1.25
a day), as shown by the data in Table 1.4.1 in Chapter 1.4.
Overall, this measure of poverty has fallen since 1990 and, if the
current rate remains on track, it is estimated that this global poverty
