What are the MDGs?
The Millennium Development Goals, or MDGs, are a set of 8 overarching targets agreed upon by the United Nations member states and many different international organizations during the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000. These targets aim, through various measures, to improve the well-being of those living in conditions of poverty, inequality and illness over the coming decade. The goals include: eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women; reducing child mortality; improving maternal health; combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability; and creating a global partnership for development.
The MDGs represent one of the first attempts to bring the entire world together in an effort to help all of humanity. Nearly every government, in both the developed and developing worlds, has made at least some commitment to achieving these 8 goals. Though we are still a long way from reaching all 8 targets, the MDGs symbolize an important step toward creating a peaceful and just society.
