The document summarizes a conference on the future of the Millennium Development Goals in the African Union. Key points include:
- The conference was attended by delegates from across Africa and discussed progress on the eight MDGs.
- While some African countries like Ethiopia, Rwanda and Malawi achieved significant progress, most will not fully achieve the MDG targets by the 2015 deadline.
- Barriers to progress included inadequate resources, infrastructure, leadership and program implementation.
- Universities presented innovations to help achieve the MDGs through community service programs.
- Moving forward, there is agreement that new "Sustainable Development Goals" after 2015 will focus more on sustainability and inclusiveness.
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The Addis Ababa Summit on Cross Continental Cooperation.
Report by Baiba Dhidha Mjidho, Assistant Secretary General of INISE
“The Future of the Millennium Development Development Goals in the African Union” Ethiopia 27th
- 31st
January 2014.
Introduction
The conference was organised by the Institute of Cultural Diplomacy based in Berlin, Germany to
coincide with the 22nd
African Union Summit held between 21st
to 31st
January 2014. The
conference was attended by delegates from across Africa among them Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda,
DRC, South Africa and Nigeria. The panellists or resource were equally diverse from Universities,
Government, UN agencies and civil society. INISE aisbl was favoured to present their vision,
perception and program for Africa wide empowerment of the marginalised and disadvantaged. The
delivery not being government driven, presentations and discussions were open and fact based
devoid of patriotic flavour that would mask the status of achievement or impact of the various
interventions.
The theme of the conference being “The future of the Millennium Development Goals in African
Union” ensured that the deliberations were not confined to what has been achieved relative to the
remaining two years of the 15 year period but what actions are planned for the immediate and long
term future of this global initiative.
The MDG's Initiative.
The MDG is a global initiative of the UN designed for implementation by member states to assist
and guide them implementing targeted interventions that are designed to impact or improve
communities or the environment within defined and measurable parameters. Eight goals were
identified as follows
Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Achieve universal primary education
Promote gender equality and empower women
Reduce child mortality
Improve maternal health
Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Ensure environmental sustainability.
Develop a global partnership for development.
Africa comprising of developing nations is among the geographical regions where attainment of the
various goals would have transform and impact its population, infrastructure and environment. The
evaluation and achievements are benchmarked within its the members states as well as regions
clusters. There are various evaluation reports by different agencies documenting progress and
status of implementation and achievement. Without going into depth, it is pleasing to note that by
2013, 15 out of the top 20 leading achievers of DMGs were from the African continent. While
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Square de Meeus – 38/40 Tel /fax : + 44 79079 53348
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countries such as Ethiopia, Malawi and Rwanda performed exceptionally, there were also poor
performers whose achievements disappoint.
Conference presentations.
The conference covered the following areas
An overview of Africa's performance and achievements
Examination of Ethiopia's success and concerns
Role, impact and contribution of Universities.
Experience of Benue State of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Need for transformation of leadership and perception.
Empowerment of disadvantaged in Africa by Europe with Africa; the INISE aisbl vision.
It was the general consensus and recognition by the eminent presenters in their papers that there
was significant progress by all countries in Africa even though some had disappointing outcomes.
Considering the time left of exactly two years to the end of 2015, even the exceptional performers
among them Ethiopia, Rwanda and Malawi will not achieve fully the targets set by the MDGs. Africa
is littered by areas of conflict making it impossible to make or implement meaningful interventions
or progress. Inadequate resources, infrastructure or poorly formulated programs are among the
constraints identified. It was sad to note that poor leadership or low skills was placed high among
the impacting factors.
Ethiopia's impressive performance was attributed to among others its polices or programs that
were people oriented which were sensitive towards enhancing or adding value to the population.
However, it was recognised that high investment and resource allocation to infrastructure resulted
in insufficient resources allocated to support interventions that would impact MDGs outcomes. Also
a big challenge recognised is the requirement of MDGs emphasis on physical facilities as part of
evaluation criteria against quality of service delivery such as construction of hospitals, dispensaries
or schools did not necessary imply equal delivery improvement in health service or education.
Various Universities in Ethiopia including Sudan presented its innovations in rolling out programs
that involved service delivery to communities with dual effect of providing practical experience to
communities while the recipients benefits professional services beyond their resources. These are
in currently in areas of law and agriculture but can easily be extended to other disciplines.
Promotion of education gender balance was good example promoted in Sudan. The Universities
provide these innovations within their limited resources.
Apart from poor quality of leadership or skills in Africa due to professionals other than Lawyers
venturing into politics, values and ethics is an issue of great concern. National ethics and values for
leadership and citizens is an essential prerequisite for good governance, national stability and
equitable development. This has been recognised and given prominence by appointment of Adviser
on Ethics and Values to the Presidency in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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The Benue State of Nigeria presented its roadmap to achieving the MDGs as typical indicator of the
Nigerian experience. It is important to mention that Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa
endowed with resources making it possible to internally finance programmes or project directly
impacting the MDGs. The presentation covered several areas among them health, education,
infrastructure and environment. Nigeria remained faithful to its commitment of investing the
national debt write-off towards empowerment initiatives. Benue State between 2009 and 2012
invested US$ 2.5 bn which is highly commendable.
An important aspect that received critical attention was the fatigue of Africa with initiatives and
programs that inflicted more harm than good on the continent. Among these were the Structural
Adjustment Programs of the World Bank which contributed to economic stagnation. It was the
considered opinion of the conference that Africa becomes more involved in formulating and design
of such initiative in order to build in ownership and relevance
INISE aisbl presentation.
INISE aisbl was privileged to address the conference on its vision and aspirations for Africa towards
empowerment of the disadvantaged. The bulk comprising of rural communities and including the
distressed in urban centres. A number of facts were highlighted including
Africa with Europe partnership of formulation and delivery.
Eastern Europe common heritage with Africa of occupation and suppression.
Earnest and strong desire and resolve towards economic progress and development.
Experience of vibrant economic performance despite prevailing volatile conditions in
developed nations.
Africa has both human and natural resources for sustained and rapid development.
Africa's should not be in position as continent in want or distress.
The presentation was receives with kin interest within the conference as well as ongoing exchange.
The Future of the MDGs.
While considerable progress will have been achieved by end 2015, however, it has been recognised
that the objectives of the MDGs will not have been achieved. It was further the understanding that
the MDGs project goes beyond 2015 which means its only the first segment that will have come to
a close.
There is agreement at global level that the next phase designated “Sustained Development Goals”
SDGs moving into 2020 will include an element of sustainability and inclusiveness within its
parameters or execution parameters.