Among the Millennium goals, pride of place goes to the theme of poverty and development. I say pride of place, because it affects the right to subsistence of hundreds of millions of human beings, surviving – as best they can – below the threshold of what is necessary, as well as tens of millions of undernourished children unjustly deprived of the right to live. In order to find a lasting solution to these inhuman conditions, it is necessary to progress, under the aegis of the UN, towards a more flexible and more just international trade system. Furthermore, financial structures are needed which would favour development and cancellation of foreign debt for the poorest countries. Likewise, the results of scientific research and technology need to be generously shared, specifically in the field of health. On this matter I need say no more, since the Holy See’s position has already been presented once again by Cardinal Angelo Sodano himself, the Secretary of State, at the conference on hunger and poverty held in New York on 20 September last.
I repeat only this: the urgency of the situation cannot tolerate delay. It is a question of justice , not of charity, even if the need for charity remains and will always remain.
INTERVENTION BY H.E. MSGR GIOVANNI LAJOLO, SECRETARY FOR RELATIONS WITH STATES AT THE GENERAL DEBATE OF THE 59TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNITED NATIONS, New York, Wednesday, 29 September 2004
(edited by Phil Jones)
The Millennium Development Goals (MDG)
What are the Millennium Development Goals?
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In 2000, 189 nations came together and made a promise to eradicate extreme poverty by 2015. (Extreme poverty is defined as living on less than a dollar a day). This promise led to the Millennium Declaration – a document outlining 8 specific goals to help the world realize this promise.
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What we can do to support the MDGs?
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Useful Websites
Global Campaign Against Poverty Download the most recent report (2009) on the progress of the MDGs. |
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