The Millennium Development Goals in Nepal.

From the creative title, you may have realised that this post is about the Millennium Development Goals in relation to Nepal. It took me a long time to think of that one you know. There was also the potential for 'The Millennium Development Goals in Nepal in Relation to Youth Volunteering as well as the Future of Sustainable Goals' but I just didn't think that was as catchy...

For those of you who don't know, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs for short) are 8 goals to be achieved by 2015 that respond to the world's main development challenges. The MDGs are drawn from the actions and targets contained in the Millennium Declaration that was adopted by 189 nations and signed by 147 heads of state and governments during the UN Millennium Summit in September 200. There are 21 quantifiable targets that are measured by 60 indicators.

The 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

You can find out plenty more about them on the UN website.

And why is it that I'm telling you this? One, because it's really interesting and two, because I'm doing a session about it to the Nepali volunteers tomorrow at their pre-placement training (PPT). It's also incredibly relevant to the ICS programme as the projects involved help to achieve these targets, especially in areas where youth are involved. Naturally, I'm procrastinating, but I'm thinking of it as a sharing of knowledge. If I write it up here then it will definitely be in my brain by tomorrow. 100%.

Back to the MDGs.

As I mentioned in a previous post, Nepal has a number of development issues, mostly in the areas of health and education. With the introduction of the MDGs, a number of frameworks have been put in place to work towards achieving these goals. The Nepal government have been committed to achieving their goals and there has in fact been a huge improvement in a number of areas. As of 2013, Nepal is on track and is likely to achieve most of it's MDG targets. It has already achieved the target of reducing maternal mortality by three quarters and has halted and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other diseases. Other targets that it is likely to achieve are to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, reduce child mortality, reduce biodiversity loss and achieve universal access to reproductive health. A great job so far, but still a long way to go, especially in regards to gender equality which is it's only goal  not likely to be achieved.

It's really important for ICS volunteers to look at the MDGs in training and during the programme so that they can see how their projects help towards these goals. Often it can be hard to see a positive change being made when progress can be so slow, and often the expectations of the volunteers can be very high. Although you may not change the world in a 12 week programme (and by may not, I mean, will not), by looking at the projects in relation to these goals then you can see the long term effect that they will have. It's amazing that the volunteers come to the programme with such enthusiasm, ideas and motivation, but sometimes in reality it can be very demotivating when you see no immediate change. I myself have felt this before and no doubt as a Team Leader I will be reiterating the point above to my own team at some point.

It has now been 15 years since these goals were set and there is still a long way to go, however, the goals have now been evaluated and in their place have come Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs- so many acronymns, I know, honestly not a disease though). The SDGs are of even more importance to young volunteers as they have come from a consultation of a youth forum. The youth forum were consulted directly and discussed ways in which young people can and are helping to manage the shift from the MDGs to the SDGs. By consulting with the youth forum, the SDGs also ensure that the needs and priorities of all youth are at the centre of the future development agenda and its implementation. Youth volunteering is key in the implementation of these goals and that is one of the reasons I am so pleased and privileged to be involved not once, but twice, in this kind of activity. In my opinion it is key that young people are consulted and actively involved in development work.

Now, that was a little heavy, and even I feel a bit confused (if anything is incorrect, please let me know!), so here's a lovely little animation about the MDGs. It's a little bit old now but some really interesting and still relevant statistics:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3p2VLTowAA

Lizzie x