UN, civil society: improve health of millions worldwide

Published by rudy Date posted on September 3, 2010

MELBOURNE, Australia—Civil society representatives from more than 70 countries wrapped up a UN forum Wednesday with an urgent call to action to improve the health of millions of people worldwide and step up efforts to achieve the globally agreed anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

In a wide-ranging declaration adopted at the end of the three-day meeting here, participants stressed that achieving the MDGs, which world leaders have pledged to do by 2015, “is a moral imperative.”

Improving global health, especially in connection with the MDGs, was the theme of the 63rd annual UN Department of Public Information (DPI)/Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Conference, which drew some 1,600 participants representing at least 350 groups.

The wide-ranging declaration also stated that the Goals, all of which affect the health of populations, despite some progress, “are significantly off-track for the poorest and least politically powerful people.”

Significant remaining challenges included: 1 billion people without access to food; 2.6 billion who lack access to improved sanitation; eight out of 10 without access to safe drinking water who live in rural areas; nearly 9 million children who die before the age of five; and at least 340,000 women who die each year of pregnancy-related causes.

In a news release, Kiyo Akasaka, Undersecretary-General for Communications and Public Information, said that while frustration had been expressed at the conference over the lack of enough improvement in some regions toward attaining the MDGs, the most urgent task was to help quicken the pace of progress.

“This is not the time to question the validity of the MDGs themselves, but rather a time to roll up our sleeves and do what is necessary to attain them, and beyond that, to look at the question of ensuring that they are sustainable after 2015,” he stated at the closing ceremony.

The NGOs appealed in the declaration for all governments, agencies, corporations, and individuals to deliver on their human rights obligations to more than a billion people living in poverty, by committing the finances and political will necessary to achieve the Goals.

Toward improving global health, the text compelled all governments and health actors to respect the rights of communities while also maximizing the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of their work by leveraging community knowledge and support. It also highlighted the central role that individuals, families, and communities must play in fostering global health.

Akasaka said he hoped participants, as the “torch-bearers of this conference,” will take what they have learned back to their organizations and communities, and help raise awareness about what is at stake.

“Your advocacy plays a major role in holding governments accountable for honoring their pledges and commitments and upholding their responsibilities to protect and save their children and people…You are all good friends to the United Nations. You are our greatest allies and partners.”

He added that the declaration should be channelled to governments and into the inter-governmental process to impact the MDG Summit, to be held at UN headquarters in New York from 20 to 22 September.

Next year’s DPI-NGO conference, on the theme “Sustainable Societies, Responsive Citizens,” is slated to be held in Bonn, Germany. –INQUIRER.net

July 2025

Nutrition Month
“Give us much more than P50 increase
for proper nutrition!”

Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.

Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar.  Reject Military!

#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos

Time to support & empower survivors. Time to spark a global conversation. Time for #GenerationEquality to #orangetheworld!

July


3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 Ju
ly – International Plastic Bag Free Day
 
5 July –
World Youth Skills Day 
7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day 
17 July – World Day for
International Justice
28 July – World Nature Conservation Day
30 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons 


Monthly Observances:

Schools Safety Month

Nutrition Month
National Disaster Consciousness Month

Weekly Observances:

Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
Week 3: National Science and
Technology Week
National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week
July 1-7:
National Culture Consciousness Week
July 13-19:
Philippines Business Week
Week ending last Saturday of July:
Arbor Week

 

Daily Observances:

First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines

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