MDG Advocates: Seize the Next 1,000 Days of the Millennium Development Goals to Build a More Just World

Today marks 1,000 days until the 2015 target date to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), eight goals adopted by world leaders gathered at the United Nations in 2000 that address challenges facing the world’s poorest people.

The MDGs are the most successful global anti-poverty push in history. There are 1,000 days to accelerate action on issues such as hunger, access to education, improved sanitation, maternal health, and gender equality.

In recognition of this milestone, the following members of the UN Secretary-General’s MDG Advocacy Group released the statement below: Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries;  Stine Bosse, CEO of TrygVesta Group, Chairman of Børnefonden/The Childrens’ Fund; Ray Chambers, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Financing the Health Millennium Development Goals and for Malaria; Dho Young-shim, Chairperson of the UN World Tourism Organization’s Sustainable Tourism for Eliminating Poverty (ST-EP) Foundation; Philippe Douste-Blazy, UN Special Adviser on Innovative Financing for Development; Julio Frenk, Dean of the Harvard School of Public Health, former Minister of Health of Mexico; Bob Geldof, singer, songwriter, and political activist; Graça Machel, President and Founder, Graça Machel Trust; Jeffrey Sachs, UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the MDGs; Marina Silva, environmentalist and politician; Ted Turner, Philanthropist, Founder and Chairman of the UN Foundation; and Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Winner, founder of the Grameen Bank, and UN Foundation Board Member.

“The Millennium Development Goals provide an urgent ‘to-do’ list to address many of humanity’s biggest and most important challenges.  Since their creation, the global community has mobilized around these common goals to drive incredible progress that is improving lives around the world.  More children are reaching their 5thbirthday, fewer people are living in crushing poverty, and as many girls attend primary school as boys.

“While we’ve made great strides forward, our work is not done.  Now is the time to build on the momentum we’ve started to reach families and communities that have been left behind.
“Today’s milestone is an opportunity for everyone who cares about creating a more just world to take action in support of the United Nations and the MDGs.  What we do over the next 1,000 days matters to millions of people.  As MDG Advocates, we are dedicated to doing everything we can to help drive further progress.  Let’s seize the next 1,000 days to change lives and chart a course for a brighter future for our world.

“The achievements we make through the MDGs will inspire people around the globe to continue the journey toward a poverty-free world that values health and dignity for all men and women.”

To mark the 1,000-day milestone, a community of individuals, organizations, and institutions are coming together for a 1,000-minute digital rally to highlight the progress made toward the MDGs and further bolster action.  More information can be found at momentum1000.org.

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The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals. For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org.