May 2005: Saying "No" to Poverty

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

Many civil society organizations have formed coalitions and have organized global campaigns to demand that world leaders act upon their promises made in the Millennium Declaration and MDGs to end poverty.  The Global Call to Action Against Poverty is one such alliance and includes NGOs, community groups, trade unions, individuals, religious and faith groups, and others.  One of their primary advocacy actions is the white band campaign (www.whiteband.org), calling everyone around the world to wear a white band around the arm as a sign of solidarity and commitment to say "No" to poverty.  This web site has also information about national campaigns in individual countries.  Wearing a white armband is one concrete action step all of us can take and one way to participate in telling the governments of the world that we, the people, want them to keep the Millennium promises they have already made.