The Impact of Mdg in Nigeria
Just last month, a major summit was held at the United Nations headquarters to review the progress made by countries on the Millennium Development Goals MDGs, especially in view of the fact that 10 of the 15 years target set by the world body for attaining the target have just reeled by with the attendant skepticisms as to whether it is indeed realizable.
10 years after this noble initiative to improve the lot of mankind, the debate has continued on whether these impoverished countries, the primary targets of the MDGs have actually done enough to take advantage of the global initiative.
How sincere have they been this last 10 years in leveraging on the millennium goals to transform living conditions in their countries? How seriously have some of these countries been able to deal with internal official corruption which international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and UN agencies have identified as the greatest threat to MDGs because whatever fund received from international donors and debt forgiveness package are most likely not going to reach their MDGs destinations.
This was why Transparency International (TI) recently called on governments who desire to achieve their MDGs to first of all implement the UN Convention against corruption, stating that it is the most comprehensive legal framework for combating corruption as well as the fact that it has specific articles that can advance pro-MDGs policies.
There is also the debate on debt forgiveness itself. Should poor countries who are the beneficiaries of this seeming kindness be really grateful for the debt cancellation or should the gesture be seen for what it is – a reparation of sort for the exploitation and dehumanization of our ancestors. But beyond debt forgiveness, how well have the rich countries as constituted in the G-8 shown commitment to their 0.7 percent Official Development Assistance (ODA) which is recognized by the UN. Under this commitment, each economically advanced country is expected
10 years after this noble initiative to improve the lot of mankind, the debate has continued on whether these impoverished countries, the primary targets of the MDGs have actually done enough to take advantage of the global initiative.
How sincere have they been this last 10 years in leveraging on the millennium goals to transform living conditions in their countries? How seriously have some of these countries been able to deal with internal official corruption which international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and UN agencies have identified as the greatest threat to MDGs because whatever fund received from international donors and debt forgiveness package are most likely not going to reach their MDGs destinations.
This was why Transparency International (TI) recently called on governments who desire to achieve their MDGs to first of all implement the UN Convention against corruption, stating that it is the most comprehensive legal framework for combating corruption as well as the fact that it has specific articles that can advance pro-MDGs policies.
There is also the debate on debt forgiveness itself. Should poor countries who are the beneficiaries of this seeming kindness be really grateful for the debt cancellation or should the gesture be seen for what it is – a reparation of sort for the exploitation and dehumanization of our ancestors. But beyond debt forgiveness, how well have the rich countries as constituted in the G-8 shown commitment to their 0.7 percent Official Development Assistance (ODA) which is recognized by the UN. Under this commitment, each economically advanced country is expected