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October is College Application Month

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Human Rights Advocate
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College is not for everybody. But, everybody should go.

If college is not for you. You better learn how to do something better than someone else.

I’m not saying if you choose not to go to college. You will not make it in the 21st century.

That would be me lying to you.

What I am trying to share with you. Is college helps you better understand how the world works. It also gives you an opportunity to make a better life for yourself, and to try to reach your full potential.

If that makes sense to you. Let’s discuss college.

Planning is Everything, So Let’s Get to It  

October is the month, most 4- year colleges start accepting applications for their next year’s fall class.

So, if you want the best results to get into college. The sooner you start the process, the easier, it will be.

Let’s start with the process. You need to plan and completing tasks, step-by-step.

So where do you begin?

Answer this question.

Are You Ready For College?

It’s a simple question. Are you ready for college?

Let’s check:

  • Do you meet the admission requirements for college
  • Have you taken the SAT or ACT test
  • How many people say, you have the skills for college (You need Reference letters)
  • Can you explain why you want to go to college (You need to write a College Essay)
  • Do you, or your parents know how to pay for college (You need Money)

It’s a simple question. Are you ready for college?

Your Answer Should Be YES

College is a privilege. It is an opportunity to go where you want to go. To gain the knowledge you need for a life you dream of.

Nevertheless, everyone knows dreams sometimes do not come true.

To give you a better chance of getting to college, and reach your dreams, goals, and aspirations. You need to stop reading this article and go to this link

After you have completed each step, come back to this article

NJ MED Cares

If you get anything from our World Top 20 Project, you will see we want everyone to reach his or her full potential. This is our purpose and our drive, to make a difference in your life.

If college is where you want to go. We have also tried our best to get the information you need to help you become successful, in a Higher Education environment in the 21st century:

In our Higher Education section of our website. We provide you with a list of:

  1. The world’s top colleges;
  2. How they work;
  3. Everyday life on a college campus and graduate school opportunities
  4. How to Become a Global Citizen

Here is a brief sample of each section.

World’s Top 20 Colleges

Our Annual Global Universities Rankings – list the world’s top 20 colleges by measuring the quality of education and training they offer to students 18 to 25 year olds, as well as, how impactful the university’s economic and social efforts have been in promoting their country’s sustainable development.

How Do You Get Into One of these Universities?

Our College Review page gives you a profile of each college:

  • Major Courses they promote
  • Student Population
  • Admission Requirements
  • Tuition Cost
  • Scholarships & Grants Opportunities
  • Graduation Rates
  • Their Graduates Employment Rate

What’s Happening on the World’s Top College Campuses?

Going away from home is a big step into adulthood. So, where you go, should be the best place for you.

If possible, our World College Information Center will give you some information on what is happening on top college campuses from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, the Oceania, North America and South America, and the things you can do, went you get there.

Plus, information about the World’s Top 20 Wealthiest Universities and Top Graduate Schools.              

Be more than a College Student

Attending college is not completely about academics, and getting away from home. Instead, the college experience should also help you build a better view of the world around you.

Our Higher Education Engagement page will provide you with a list of colleges from around the world committed to helping students excel both academically as well as socially. By offering students, volunteer programs, internships, green initiatives and developing research projects towards community sustainability.

Remember a college is a place where you grow and accept new challenges.

Now, are You Ready for College?

If you have not already visited our Lifelong Learning Opportunities section. Which gives you a list of steps, you have to complete, before, you can send out your college application. You really need to.

In this section, it will show you and your parents how to prepare for meeting college admission requirements.

From organizing your high school transcript, passing college entrance test (SAT and ACT), getting the right college reference letters you need, and finding the funding opportunities you may be eligible for.     

With this information, it will help bring you closer to successfully completing your college applications, and help guarantee your future.

Where should you begin?

Now that you have the information for meeting college admission, it is time for you to be proactive.

For:

High School Seniors you need to make sure you complete all college admission requirements. Meet with your high school guidance counselor to help prepare the information for your college application.

You also need to talk with your parents about college tuition. In addition, to getting their information for completing your financial aide applications; submitting for student loan programs; and meeting grants and foundation requirements.    

High School Juniors planning for college next year. You need to meet with your high school guidance counselor to review your high school transcript. Start looking for colleges you would like to attend, based on your career goals.

Retake or take your college entrance test (SAT or ACT). Look for college Scholarships and Grants.  

High School Sophomores planning for college you need to build your high school transcripts. Get extra help in tutoring programs for preparing for college entrance test (SAT or ACT).

You should also start participating in extra high school curriculum activities.

High School Freshman you need to start now, planning on – What do you want to be? Why are you going to high school? And, what will you be doing the next four years before you become an adult?

College maybe the next step, if you want to be all you can be. An extra four-year or two years of education will help you not hurt you.

So, you need, to take the right high school courses. Meet with your high school guidance counselor, find out where you can get help in subjects, you need help in. And finally, develop a mindset you need high school to help you get where you want to go in life.

 Thanks but No Thanks: I Don’t Think College is for Me

After, all the information, we have prepared to help you successfully enroll in college. College still might not be for you.

More schooling Nah.

You are ready to get a job, get your own apartment, buy a car or start your own family. That’s Ok.

However, more education will help you develop more socially and increase your opportunity to earn higher wages, to support you or a family.

If that sounds good to you. What are you waiting for, send out those college applications.

2017 World Best Education Systems – 1st Quarter Report

By
Human Rights Advocate
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0
No Homework in Finland

The World Top 20 Education Poll and How it Affects You

UPDATE: The World Top 20 Education Poll 2017 Final Poll Results 

I see you: The all seeing eye of the World Top 20 Education Poll

NJ MED published its first Annual Education Poll in 2013, to rank 209 nations education systems. The poll’s purpose is to gather information on how countries are preparing their youths for the 21st century global knowledge base economy.

With this information, it would be very easy to see which countries are committed to making the world a better place. And more importantly, to safeguard the lives of every person living.

Unfortunately, over half of the countries on the planet, do not have educational data available. Most of the information on education, they do have is two to three years old, or even worse five to ten years old.

If it does not exist, No One will Know the Truth

Only 85 countries out 209, educational information is up to date.

If you have been following this 8 –part series. You will see the countries with the highest number of children out of school; also have the highest illiterate adult rates; that leads to the highest unemployment rates, that leads to the largest population living in poverty.

What do these countries have in common? These countries are not committed to educate their children.

Let’s Make It Easy for Them   

To simplify the process, NJ MED created its ranking system to recognize the countries that are doing a great job to prepare their population for life.

So quarterly, they rate the top 20 countries. By measuring early-childhood enrollment rates; test scores in math, science and reading for lower and upper primary students; and high school and college graduation rates.

Each year, the ranking system starts off by projecting, which 20 countries will rank, as the best education systems for the close of the year (December 31). Follow by an International Survey of students, teachers, parents, educators, and local taxpayers (from May to July), for its second quarter ranking poll.

In September, the poll uses the latest international test scores and graduation rates to rank the top 20 countries, for its third quarter ranking poll.

In December, it closes out the yearly top 20 ranking system, by contacting each nation’s education department to up date the information and confirm the data it used in September is accurate.

The Data System 

The information used to compile the rankings, is data that comes from six international educational monitoring organizations.

These organizations include – the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the United Nation’s Economic and Social Council (UNESOC), The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and Progress in International Reading Study (PIRLS).

NJ MED then sends the information it has complied to each country Ministry of Education Department to assure the data is accurate, and get their comments and approval. If the country states their results, were not accurate, NJ MED honors their request and graded them accordingly, with the new source of data they provided. However, if a country does not respond, NJ MED assumes the poll’s information is correct.

What’s Next?

Finding solutions to problems is the next stage in the World Top 20 Poll process. Each year, NJ MED grades countries progress in improvement in one of its five developmental educational stages.  

Next year (2018), NJ MED will release its five-year report. That will make recommendations on what areas are in need of improvement and suggestions on what type of support can help solve each nations problems.

The Report’s recommendations and suggestions will come from a panel of international educational leaders from each of the World Top 20 Poll’s five developmental levels (3 to 4, 5 to 10, 11 to 14, 15 to 18, and 18 to 25).

The purpose of this report is to support the initiatives of the 17 Global Goals and 169 target indicators of the Sustainable Development Movement.

Until Then

Starting next month (May 1st to June 30th), it’s your turn to express, what you would do if you where in charge of your country’s education system.

By participating in the 3rd annual International Survey on How Would You Improve Your Country’s Education System? 

Those results will be published in July’s 2017 Global Education Report. Until then, please check out the World’s Top 20 Polls 1st Quarter Report below: 

(First –Quarter Rankings of the World’s Best Education System and their Power Ranking Score)

  1. Finland

Finland has held the unofficial title as the country with the world’s best education system, since 2000.  After, adding five new key indicators to our educational ranking system, Finland is projected to take the official title in 2017. By outperforming, Japan and the three time winner of our ranking system, South Korea. Finland ranked higher in 3 of the new indicators – Secondary children in school, and teachers to student ratio for both Primary and Secondary schools. Power Ranking Score of 114

Related Content: World Top 20  

  1. Japan

Second place finishers for the last three years in the World Top 20 Education Poll. Japan is projected to finish second for the fourth year in a row. Japan education system continues to be rated has one of the best. With its excellent development of students between the ages of 5 to 14.  Power Ranking Score of 104

  1. South Korea

South Korea, the three-time winner of the World Top 20 Education Poll ranking system, is projected to finish third in 2017.  South Korea only performed well in the completion rate of students 5 to 14, in the five new indicators. However, it should be noted, South Korea, for the last three years were projected, to finish second or third, but after the annual fall test scores and graduation rates of high school and college students, they finish first in the annual poll. Power Ranking Score of 101

Related Content: Last Year Poll

  1. Denmark

Denmark perhaps the most underappreciated country in the world, is again among the elite in educational development. Finishing last year number 8 in the World Top 20 Education Poll, Denmark rated in all five of the new indicators. Finishing 5th in Secondary age students in school, and 7th and 9th for teachers to student ratios for Primary and Secondary schools. Power Ranking Score of 94

  1. Russia

After, finishing its highest ever in the World Top 20 Education Poll – number 3. Russia remains one of Europe’s top countries in preparing its students for the workforce.  Their student to teacher ratio for students 14 to 18 (one teacher for every ninth student), is the 3rd highest ranked in the world. Making Russia a clear favor to finish in the top 5, for the third year in a row. Power Ranking Score of 91

  1. Norway

Norway finished 2016 ranked number 16, but has moved up 10 spots in the first quarter rankings for 2017. Norway’s teacher to student ratio for Primary age students is second in the world (one teacher for every students), and ranks fifth in the world for Secondary students (one teacher for every ten students). Like most countries, their international test score results will determine how high they finish in the final poll in December. Power Ranking Score of 82

  1. United Kingdom

Dropping one spot from last year’s final rankings, the UK teacher’s issues is starting to affect their international rankings. For over the last four-years, the country’s teachers have been fighting for better wages, more classroom support, and the need to recruit more teachers. If this problem continues, the UK may fall out of the top 10 for the first time. Power Ranking Score of 78

Related Content: UK Teacher Shortage  

  1. Israel

Israel remains formidable in the international circles, has its country’s educational system for early-childhood development has risen to number two in the world. And their improvement in Primary education completion rates and in school enrollment rates are among the highest in the world. It’s not impossible for Israel to finish in the Top 5 at the end of the year. Power Ranking Score of 77

  1. Sweden

Sweden progress over the last three years has been impressive. Keeping pace with its other Nordic mates (Finland, Denmark and Norway), Sweden’s enrollment of Secondary age students (15 to 18) is third in the world. While their completion rates for Primary age students (five to 13) ranks sixth. If they hope to improve on their last year finale ranking of 18, their Secondary student’s high school graduation rates (69%) have to reach higher levels. Power Ranking Score of 75

  1. Hong Kong

Hong Kong has the world’s highest enrollment rate for Primary age students. Finishing 14th in last year’s Top 20 rankings, if the country ever wants to finish in the Top 10, it has to improve its early-childhood education enrollment. However, with its current success in Primary age student’s test scores and enrollment completion rates that seems highly unlikely. Power Ranking Score of 70

  1. Netherlands

The number ten ranked country in last year’s World Top 20 Poll, Netherlands drops one spot to number 11 in this year’s pre-poll selection. A mainstay in the annual rankings, the Netherlands Primary and especially Secondary in school student rankings keeps them relevant as we start the year. If their international test scores in Math, Science and Reading can improve for both these age groups, the Netherlands should end the year above their last year’s rankings. Power Ranking Score of 67

  1. Belgium

Belgium may have the world’s most complex education system. Their system consists of three different communities – Flemish, German, and French-speaking. Yet, they rank 9th and 4th in teacher to student ratio for Primary and Secondary grades, and 5th and the first for in school student enrollment for Primary and Secondary age students. Pair that with them having the world’s third highest early-childhood enrollment rates (98%), there is no way, they should not be ranked in the top 20 at the end of the year. Power Ranking Score of 65  

  1. Germany

Germany a world power in economic and social justice. Faces another year of trying to break back into the World’s Top 10, in education development. After finishing out of the Top 10, for the last two years, Germany has another major challenge in making it to a Top 10 finish in 2017. Power Ranking Score of 63

  1. China

China, unlike Germany, finished 2016 in the Top 10 (number 9). However, they have a tough challenge in repeating that accomplishment in 2017. Their major obstacle will be to improve, their early childhood enrollment rates. Every year, this has preventing them from making a top five finish. Let us hope they invest more in every child. Power Ranking Score of 62

Related Content: China Early Childhood Policy  

  1. Singapore

Singapore is the world’s best test taking country. Year in, Year out, their Primary and Secondary international test scores in Math, Science and Reading are among the highest, and was the best in 2016. Yet, the number of Primary and Secondary children in school is not impressive. They failed to rank in the top 20 in both areas. This is where their country’s lack of investment in education for every child makes them vulnerable in their economic and social growth. It will also be interesting to see, if this year, they will make a Top 5 finish, with the Poll’s five new educational indicators. Power Ranking Score of 57

  1. Portugal

Portugal is always between. Good, Average or Below Average. In last year’s preselection poll, they we’re projected to finish in the top 20, however, they did not qualify. This year, they are projected to finish 16th. Which would be, their highest ranking ever. With the world’s second highest number of Primary, age children in school, and the sixth best teacher to student ratio for Secondary school. Portugal has their best chance, since 2015 to make the final 20 rankings. Power Ranking Score of 54

  1. Hungary

Hungary’s education system was ranked 20th in the world’s last year. With the 5th highest teacher to student ratio for Secondary age school, they’re chances to finish higher this year is almost guaranteed. The only drawback is they have a very low higher education graduation rate (32%). Power Ranking Score of 52

  1. Estonia

Estonia is the 8th country from Northern Europe to make the rankings. Just missing out of last year’s top 20. Their country has the world’s highest Primary age completion rate for students. With an opportunity to improve this year, will depend on how well their international test score is for those Primary age students has they enter Secondary education. Power Ranking Score of 50

  1. France

France had the highest early childhood enrollment rate in last year’s poll, which increases their chances to finish in the top 20 again. More interesting is the fact, France has the world’s 4th highest number of Primary age students in school. If the new Government Leadership continues to invest in their education system, France can be a Top 10 country in education by 2020. Power Ranking Score of 50

  1. United States

Can you see a shake-up is coming? No doubt, the United States Government is in a transition stage. The US finished a surprising 7th in last year’s rankings. The best since the 70s. However, early indicators seem to suggest the US, will be reorganizing itself, towards more public school funding towards charter schools and breaking up teachers unions. Next year this time, we will know those results. Power Ranking Score of 47

See the complete poll HERE

NJ MED Mission

By
Human Rights Advocate
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NJ MED

NJ MED accepts the challenge to change the World

The war on poverty and injustices has been going on since man decided to kill a man. Here we are in the 21st century. And poverty is still here and man is still killing a man.

It’s like cancer, it grows and grows and spreads throughout the body. Stopping vital organs, killing the brain and then putting the heart to sleep forever. 

I don’t know about you? But, we don’t want to leave this planet, without curing the cancer of poverty.

Who is NJ MED and Why they Matter

NJ MED (New Jersey Minority Educational Development) is a non-governmental organization in the United States. The organization’s founder and CEO, Albert N. Mitchell II, started the organization after community leaders in the Poorest and Most Dangerous Cities in America (Camden, New Jersey), asked him to stop the violence and help lead them out of poverty, in 1994.

 In 1995, with a $10,000 state grant, and developing partnerships with the local University (Rutgers-Camden), the business community, and the failing school district. NJ MED developed a project (the 100% Graduation Rate Program) that increased high school graduation rates by 49%, youth employment by over 80%, and reduce crime by 91% for males 16-24, from 1996 to 2006.

Since, the 100% Graduation Rate Program, ended in 2006. The City of Camden fell back into one of America’s Greatest Tragedies. Poverty and the Crime Rate returned; because, the City’s leaders failed to follow the example NJ MED established, in targeting the highest at-risk population (male youths). Instead, they decided to reduce programs targeting that population, and increase law enforcement, and focus on privatizing the school system.

Lesson learned!

The Invisible Walls

The experience NJ MED gained in the City of Camden, in the United States; is the people living in poverty and committing crimes, are part of the problem. However, they are other factors, which are benefiting from these problems. Who are they? Why are they doing this?  We guess it’s human nature, just like, went man decided to kill fellow man.   

NJ MED, nevertheless, has shown; they focus on getting results. NJ MED builds, and they teach people the How To. Their strength is in the people they work with. Their motto “It’s together we win, together we grow, and we focus on the will.”

So, NJ MED has focused on the will and the willingness of the people that care about others. No invisible walls or evil thoughts of man; they’ve learned is greater than the will of an united people.

That’s why they feel they’re ready to help and accept international challenges and get results. No more surprises.

Do You Love Your Country?

In 2012, NJ MED launched its first international program – the World Top 20 Project. The Project’s mission is to ensure Every Child on the Planet has an opportunity to reach their full potential.

The project is part of NJ MED’s initiative America First or Last Movement, to improve nation’s national educational systems. Similar to how sports, uses a national team concept to gather support and promote togetherness for their country.

However, unlike sports, this approach has real consequences and affects everyone in their country. And everyone is a player on their national team.

To get people to care, NJ MED started a ranking system of 209 nation’s education systems. The ranking system gathers information on five levels of educational development. You can read more here.

By focusing on education, grassroots movements can be started at local levels to monitor how their children are developing into adulthood, and what type of services are needed, to ensure they have an opportunity to become a positive contributor to their local, state and national workforces and economies.

Next Week

We will show you how NJ MED’s ranking systems help’s your country improve its education system. In addition, to how they plan to use their ranking system to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Movement.  

The New World Order: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

By
Human Rights Advocate
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0
Peace and Justice
Peace and Justice

Never Say Never

Do you want to live in a world with no poverty, no hunger, no racism, and no war? Is that the Future You Want?

That’s the goal for 2030.

The United Nations with its 194 Member States, as well as global civil society leaders, are targeting seventeen Global Goals with 169 target indicators between them, to make it happen.

This movement is called the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a follow-up to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) movement. Hoping to advance the goals established from 2000 to 2015. The United Nations and its partners are confident, with better organization from regions and local areas. This movement (Agenda) and its goals will address the needs of people in both developed and developing countries, emphasizing that no one should be left behind.  

Lets Go Over the Plan

The Sustainable Development Goals are focusing on three dimensions of sustainable development: social, economic and environmental, as well as important aspects related to peace, justice and effective institutions.

As mentioned, the SDG Movement has established 17 Global Goals and 169 target indicators by the year 2030.

The Seventeen Goals are:

  • Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
  • Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
  • Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
  • Goal 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
  • Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
  • Goal 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
  • Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
  • Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
  • Goal 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
  • Goal 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
  • Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
  • Goal 13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
  • Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
  • Goal 15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
  • Goal 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

The Sustainable Development Goals

The SDGs target 169 indicators to support the 17 goals development were adopted at the September 25, 2015, United Nation’s General Assembly Meeting. Those target indicators can be found here.

No Way This Will Work

Before the ink dried, critics said no way is this realistic or feasible. They also say these goals; undermine the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

A report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) of 2013 criticized the efforts of the SDGs as not ambitious enough. Instead of aiming for an end to poverty by 2030, the report “An Ambitious Development Goal: Ending Hunger and Undernutrition by 2025” calls for a greater emphasis on eliminating hunger and undernutrition and achieving that in 5 years less, by 2025.

The SDGs goals have been criticized for being contradictory, because in seeking high levels of global GDP growth, they will undermine their own ecological objectives. It has also been noted that, in relation to the headline goal of eliminating extreme poverty, “a growing number of scholars are pointing out that $1.25 is actually not adequate for human subsistence,” and the poverty line should be revised to as high as $5.

Other critics argued that the 169 target indicators  for the SDGs are too many, calling them “sprawling,” “misconceived,” and “a mess” compared to the Millennium Development Goals. It also criticized the goals for ignoring local context and promoting “cookie-cutter development policies.”

Critics also say the movement is not feasible. Estimating that trying to alleviate poverty and achieving the other sustainable development goals will require about US$2 trillion to 3 trillion per annum for the next 15 years.

To answer the critics, the SDG organizers are planning annual review meetings to report the progress that is being made. As well as, allowing the movement’s stakeholders to give their thoughts on what is working and what is not.

Will the SDG Movement Prove the Critics Wrong

If everybody involved, gets involved, this can change the world. However, that if, is a big if.

The Millennium Development Goals movement fell short of achieving its goals, because integrity and commitment lacked sincerity. Meaning, some countries and organizations, did not keep their word.

This time organization and dedication must be upheld to complete deadlines and fulfill obligations. If again, they are ignored; it will be equal to slowly letting the air out of the balloon. Progress will be stopped, and another 30 year’s will be lost.

Let’s hope, what is written on paper will become a reality. And mankind, is kind. And We Find the World We Want.

The Rise and Fall of the Millennium Development Goals

By
Human Rights Advocate
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Reduce Child Mortality

The World versus the World

Humans have lived on earth about 200,000 years. Never, ever, ever, have they lived as equals. Their always have been the haves, and the have-nots. With over 7 billion people on the planet today, the gap between the haves and have nots, has never been higher.

As the world’s population increases, more people are living in poverty, fewer children are being educated, women face greater discrimination, and health care is lacking for half of the world’s population.

In September 2000, 189 nations and the world’s leading international organizations – led by the United Nations decided enough was enough, and started a movement to improve the lives of everyone on the planet. The movement was called the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

Can Dreams Come True?

The MDG wanted to target and achieve eight goals, by the year 2015:

  1. To eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
  2. To achieve universal primary education
  3. To promote gender equality and empower women
  4. To reduce child mortality
  5. To improve maternal health
  6. To combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
  7. To ensure environmental sustainability
  8. To develop a global partnership for development    

The plan was to target 21 specific areas and 60 indicators  form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and major world’s leading development institutions, to meet the needs of the world’s poorest population.
The target areas and indicators are listed here.

Not Enough Time 

From the beginning, the success of the Millennium Development Goals Movement depended how well they could communicate. Communicate each goal’s Timeline (Deadline) and the Responsibilities (Who was going to do what) on each task.

After 5 years, it was clear there would be problems. The MDGs organizers know trying to reach their goals in Africa would be difficult, because of poverty levels, lack of communication resources, and unstable governments. However, they did not realize how long it would take.

After 2010, it became obvious that not all 8 goals could be reached. The four main obstacles were: individual Government commitments; the Poor infrastructure in poorer countries; and Partners support in pursuing the goals (from the Private Sector and Civil organizations).

In 2015, none of the MDG’s overall eight goals were accomplished. Some countries like China, India and Brazil had made some progress in achieving their goals. Other countries, especially from Sub-Saharan Africa were years away from achieving any of theirs.

Instead of abandoning the Movement, the United Nations and their partners decided to recommit for another 15 years. By launching a more ambitious attempt to achieve their goals, with a post-2015 Development Agenda.

Learning from our Mistakes, and Moving On

The Millennium Development Goals Movement did not achieve their 2015 goals. However, it did make an impact, in several key areas:

MDG 1:  The number of people living in extreme poverty (living on less than $1.25 a day), was cut by over 1 billion people (from 1.9 billion to 836 million).

MDG 2: Primary school enrolment rates increased from 83% in 2000 to 91%.

MDG 3: In Developing Countries, nearly two-thirds, reached gender parity in primary education.

MDG 4: Child mortality rates fell from 90 to 43 deaths per 1,000 live births

MDG 5: The global maternal mortality ratio dropped by nearly half.               

MDG 6: The number of new HIV infections fell by around 40% between 2000 and 2013.

MDG 7: 2.6 billion people have gained access to improved drinking water since 1990.

MDG 8: Between 2000 and 2014, overseas development assistance from rich nations to developing countries increased by 66% in real terms, and in 2013 reached the record figure of $134.8 billion.

As mentioned above, the United Nations and their partners are more determined to achieve their goals, and end poverty and the negative effects it causes. Let us hope, they can build on their successes, and strengthen their partnerships.

Here is a copy of the 2015 final report, the progress chart, and the breakdown country by country.

The Battle To Save Lives Continues

Next week we will review The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Movement. What it is, what are its goals, and what the chances it will work are.

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