Updated 1 October 2008

The Holy Prophet (saw) said:  “Ask questions from the learned, speak with the wise, and associate with the poor.”

What is the concept behind the ‘Millenium Development Goals’ (MDG)?
At the start of the new millennium, world leaders gathered at the United Nations to make a promise: that they would do everything within their power to halve extreme poverty by 2015. And halfway to the 2015 MDG deadline, some progress has been made. There are now 41 million more children in school, 3 million more children are surviving childhood each year, and 2 million more people are receiving treatment for AIDS.

On 25 September the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, hosted an historic event in New York. The event, which was attended by over state diplomats as well as NGOs, charities and businesses.

What are the Millennium Development Goals?
There are 8 Millennium Development Goals that world leaders want to achiev 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 United Nations Millennium Summit held in September 2000.

The 8 MDGs are broken down into 21 quantifiable targets that are measured by 60 indicators:

Goal 1:  Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Goal 2:  Achieve universal primary education
Goal 3:  Promote gender equality and empower women
Goal 4:  Reduce child mortality
Goal 5:  Improve maternal health
Goal 6:  Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Goal 7:  Ensure environmental sustainability
Goal 8:  Develop a Global partnership for Development

Dr Ahmed Hassam, President of the World Federation said: ‘As a Shia Institution, it is imperative that we are involved and active in the NGO and governmental level. With regards to the MDGs, we urge all governments, civil society institutions and charities to work towards these goals. In turn, we pledge to play our part in reducing poverty and increasing access to education and health in the Shia Muslim Community.’

MDGs:  More Needs to be Done
Although much has already been achieved towards the MDG’s set, more needs to be done. Worldwide:

• 75 million children are still not in school.
• Half of the developing world lack basic sanitation.
• Over half a million women still die each year from treatable and preventable complications of pregnancy and childbirth.
• Over 33 million people are living with HIV.
• More than one million people die of Malaria every year, including one child every 30 seconds.
• 980 million people still live on less than $1 a day.

Without an extraordinary effort from leaders from around the world, the MDG’s will not be achieved.  To inspire action and measure progress, on 25 September, the United Nations hopes to set the following milestones to 2015:

• 75 million more people out of extreme poverty by 2010.
• 25 million more children need to be in school in 2010.
• 4 million more children’s lives need to be saved.
• 35 million more births need to be attended by trained health workers.
• In Sub-Saharan Africa, 70 million more people need access to improved water.
• 85 million more people given access to basic sanitation in sub-Saharan Africa.

The World Federation’s Commitment to the MDGs
The World Federation is committed to the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations to reduce extreme poverty in our communities and across the world. In fact, from its very inception, we have been actively engaged in a number of programs in a real effort to achieving these goals.  For instance:

• Zainabiyya Child Sponsorship Scheme aims to educate children and families out of poverty by funding the basic primary and secondary education of Shia students who otherwise cannot afford to do so on their own. ZCSS is sponsoring about 11,000 students across India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Kenya. 
  
  
• Medical screening programs are held throughout India and Africa to identify and treat diseases including malaria and eye cataracts.
  
  
• The World Federation Economic Development Programme endeavors to empower individuals and families trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty to become financially independent by providing zero percent loans to start up small scale enterprises.
  
  
• At the last Executive Council meeting, a detailed paper on water and sanitation was presented to identify and address the need for safe drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities in our global communities.

Shan-E-Abbas Hassam, Assistant Secretary General for Relief & Economic Development underlined the institution’s commitment to the MDGs: ‘We are committed to these goals, like most of the international community. The Relief of poverty will always be a big priority for us. We will aim to keep this focus on our community, the wider Shia community as well as humanity.

One of the steps The World Federation has taken towards this objective is to apply for and receive membership to BOND (British Overseas NGOs for Development).  Together with other NGOs, BOND is working towards a shared vision of the future, underpinned by a set of values that inspire its work and mission. Its vision is “A world without poverty, inequality or injustice in which human rights are upheld and our environment protected.” BOND's values include:

• Justice and solidarity
• Diversity and mutual respect
• Collaboration and participation
• Sustainability and shared responsibility
• Transparency and accountability

Another step The World Federation has taken towards this objective is to employ an NGO Manager. A vacancy for this position is currently posted.  The World Federation is eager to bring a suitable candidate on board to assist the Office Bearers and Assistant Secretary Generals in the strategic and operational aspects of the NGO status for the Secretariat of The World Federation.
 

To learn more about the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, visit http://www.undp.org/mdg/

To view the developments made on the 25 September High Level Discussion, click here

To download and view World Federation paper on Water and Sanitation, click here

To download and view World Federation paper on Economic Upliftment, click here

To download the NGO Manager Job Description Click here

To download the NGO Manager application form Click here