Get Involved: Grassroots Efforts for the MDGs (by Hannah Renglich)

The United Nations signed the Millennium Declaration in 2000, setting a fifteen-year deadline for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which include the eradication of extreme hunger and poverty, the realization of universal primary education, and the reduction of child mortality rates. With only ten years left for the Millennium Project, many organizations are being formed to help promote awareness, involve youth, and make the world take notice of the issues that many feel could be easily solved.

In an effort to spread the message across the world, the United Nations' Millennium Campaign has taken the initiative to use the media as an outlet for educating the public about the importance of the MDGs. More importantly, the Millennium Campaign addresses the issues on a personal level, using the slogan "only with your voice" in order to encourage every man, woman, and child to take action. With the strength of six billion voices, there should be no hindrance to change; however, the question becomes, how can an individual become involved?

Nelson Mandela once said that education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. For today's increasingly technology-driven society, many children and youth may find that the internet is the easiest and most effective way to learn more about their options and voice their opinions. For example, websites like http://www.sendmyfriend.info/eng/ offer children the opportunity to learn more about the importance of the MDGs by sending a message to world leaders, reminding them of their promises as set out by the Millennium Project. The Millennium Campaign Action Centre offers e-cards that are accessible to anyone who wants to send a message to a friend, reminding them that "only with your voice" does change occur. These video clips are presented by famous personalities whose grave tone helps emphasize the message they are sending. With youth forums such as Five Minutes to Midnight, and Taking IT Global, it is easy to get information and find ways to make your personal opinions heard internationally.

In Vietnam, where an official MDG Youth Campaign has been launched, the country is working hard to spread the word and help the population become educated about the Millennium Project. Recognizing the influence of music and the media over modern youth, the campaign has created and published a manga-style comic featuring a character named "Thang" who travels the country and encounters the many issues addressed in the MDGs. This booklet, entitled "Thang's Journey", offers the reader important information and national statistics regarding each goal as well as suggestions on ways to take action. The Vietnam Students' Newspaper held a competition in April 2004, asking youth to link MDGs to songs, in a national competition that received over 5,000 entries. In addition, concerts featuring popular Vietnamese bands have been organized to promote education in the youngest members of society about the MDGs and the crucial role that youth play in their achievement.

In Africa, one youth development group is called Fast Forwarding to the Future (FFF), and is a regional movement of young people in Eastern and Southern Africa who are fully convinced that young people hold the key to a future of a sustainable Africa. FFF is works under MWENGO's Research and Development Unit, as an initiative for youth between 20 and 35 who have a conviction that a brighter future for the continent is possible. Founded in February 2003, FFF was created based upon the realisation that Africa had long since been a victim of circumstance through slave trade, colonialism, and neo-liberalism, for example. FFF creates and works on a variety of programs, including Vision 2050, which is a plan of action toward an educated, healthy, prosperous, peaceful, and globally linked sustainable Africa. In fact, Nelson Mandela launched Vision 2050 in September 2004, a validation that helped bring the youth group to the forefront in African development NGOs. The MDGs are closely linked to the goals of Vision 2050 and as Matilda Moyo, the coordinator of FFF states, "we are young, energetic and flexible in terms of willingness to learn new things. Combine this passion and you have a total package."

All over the world, adults and youth alike are joining the movement for change. The Global Call to Action Against Poverty is an international organization whose national branches encourage citizens to become active in the aim of calling for the removal of poor countries' debt, for an increase in the quality and quantity of aid, and for trade justice. In addition, campaigners in developing countries are canvassing their governments to eliminate poverty and achieve the MDGs in sustainable methods, in ways that are democratic, transparent, and accountable to citizens. In order to get involved, a visit to the website, http://www.whiteband.org, will explain what is happening in your country and how you can help to become part of the change. In order to spark discussion and show support for the fight against poverty, individuals are welcome to wear a simple white band as a mark of solidarity and support. July 1st, September 10th, and December 10th are global White Band Days and while the "Make Poverty History" campaign sells prefabricated bracelets; the beauty of the symbol is that it can be created by anyone and anywhere out of white fabric. Join millions on July 2nd under the Make Poverty History banner in Edinburgh as the leaders of the world's richest countries gather for the G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland from July 6th - 8th. The day will be an opportunity for rallies with international speakers and supporters, as well as the creation of a giant human white band around Edinburgh city centre.

The international Millennium Campaign suggests that youth get involved in the achievement of the MDGs through any small way possible such as organizing events in their communities, wearing the white band, and discussing the issues in order to spread the word. As the message begins to take root and citizens pressure their governments into action, the world will begin to warm to change; however, this will be possible "only with your voice".

Sources

Global Call to Action Against Poverty. 1 May 2005. <http://www.whiteband.org/>.

Gründinger, Wolfgang. "Millennium Development Goals - Action for Western Europe!" YOIS Europe. 2005. 1 May 2005. <http://www.yois-europe.org/mdg/links.htm>.

Make Poverty History. 1 May 2005. <http://makepovertyhistory.ca.

"Millennium Campaign." United Nations. 1 May 2005. <http://www.millenniumcampaign.org/<.

Send My Friend to School. 1 May 2005. <http://www.sendmyfriend.info/eng/<.

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