Why now?

This year, 2005, is an important year for the United Nations because of the General Assembly’s Millennium +5 meeting which will take place in mid September.  The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Millennium Declaration and UN reform are the main themes for discussion in September, and recommendations and proposals relative to these topics can be found in three basic documents:

• In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all – report of the Secretary-General (UN Doc. A/59/2005, 21 March 2005).  Available at www.un.org/largerfreedom/report-largerfreedom.pdf
• Investing in Development: A Practical Plan to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals – report of the Millennium Project (headed by Professor Jeffrey Sachs) to the UN Secretary-General (released January 17, 2005).  Available at www.unmillenniumproject.org/reports/index.htm
• A more secure world: Our shared responsibility – report of the Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change (UN Doc. A/59/565, 2 December 2004).  Available at www.un.org/secureworld/

Those who want to familiarize themselves with the text of the MDGs and the Millennium Declaration from which they derive, can find both documents on www.un.org/millenniumgoals .  Another worthwhile source is the web site of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which has elaborate information about the MDGs including a section called "Frequently Asked Questions"; see www.undp.org/mdg/.  More information about international activities can be found at www.millenniumcampaign.org (UN Millennium Campaign).

Getting involved: the White Band Campaign