Millennium Declaration Goals (MDG) and Information Communication Technologies (ICT) - What can be done?

In September 2000, during the United Nations Millennium Summit, the world’s leaders agreed to a remarkable document, the Millennium Declaration. This was a historic achievement, not just because of the scope of the issues the Declaration covers, or its evaluation on developmental issues, but because it committed the global community to a specific agenda for human development. Rather than simply agreeing that development should continue along much the same lines as before, or call for general improvements, the Declaration demanded that the world set its sights higher and aim for 8 specific goals, set to be achieved by 2015 and for which there are now 18 targets and 48, mostly numerical, indicators.

What subsequently came to be known as the Millennium Development Goals are:
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development

Progress towards the goals has been mixed. Some countries are on track for some goals but it seems almost impossible that these goals will be achieved at the current rate of global progress. Reasons for this include inadequate and inefficient public spending, crippling debt burdens, insufficient market access in developed countries, and declining official development assistance. As computers and the Internet have continued to transform the economy and society, the role of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in fostering development has become more generally recognized.

“Recent developments in the fields of communications and information technology are indeed revolutionary in nature. Information and knowledge are expanding in quantity and accessibility. In many fields future decision-makers will be presented with unprecedented new tools for development. In such fields as agriculture, health, education, human resources and environmental management, or transport and business development, the consequences could be really quite revolutionary. Communications and information technology have enormous potential, especially for developing countries, and in furthering sustainable development.” UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan (1997:1)

ICT has become a crucial tool in the fight against world poverty. ICT provides developing nations with an unprecedented opportunity to meet vital development goals such as poverty reduction, basic healthcare, and education, far more effectively than before. Those nations that succeed in harnessing the potential of ICT can look forward to expanded economic growth, dramatically improved human welfare and stronger forms of democratic governance.
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime.”—Author unknown.

It must be said that bringing connectivity and technology alone without making them relevant to the livelihood of the people is unrealistic. Linking ICT and the alleviation of poverty successfully is a very complex process. In order to improve the livelihood through technology, one must improve access to information and knowledge of the poor. Also the delivery mechanism is also important as a poor farmer, often illiterate, will not use a computer herself/himself, and most importantly, will not be able to afford it. Despite the dissemination of mobile phone not all poor people will be able to afford a personal mobile phone in near future.

It goes without saying; poverty is not limited to any one Country or Continent. Poverty is everywhere and affects each of us in one way or another. Did you know, today while living one of the richest and most powerful nations on earth, approximately 37 million Americans, that is 1 in 6 children are struggling in poverty? These families are faced with hard choices between foods, health care, heat and rent, the basic material necessities of life. The fact that this powerful economy is leaving so many behind is a sign that that something in our social and economic system is seriously broken.

What can we do? There is so much that we can do to help. Educate our children, vote, volunteer our time, and donate to meaningful charities. It might be said that asking a family to add another bill (education) to the list of bills that they already have might seem harsh, however I believe education is the one true way of getting ahead. Also all parents want their children to live a better life than they did and as such will make the additional sacrifice to get them their.

References

1. Nishimoto, Lal, S, R (2005). Development divides and digital bridges: why ICT is key for achieving the MDGs. Commonwealth Finance Ministers Reference Report 2005. 1-4.
2. PDF (08/2003).Tools for Development Using Information and Communications Technology to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals. United Nations ICT Task Force.
3. Raihan, Hasan, A, M (2005). Peoples’ Report on MDG: Bangladesh Information and Communication Technology. D.Net (Development Research Network). 1-17.
4. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved September 20, 2007, from January is “Poverty in America Awareness Month” Web site: http://www.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/povamer.shtml