The document discusses the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and strategies for systemic change. It outlines critiques of the MDGs, including that they do not adequately address the structural causes of poverty like inequality, lack of sustainability, and lack of democratic participation. It proposes a framework for systemic change strategies that takes a holistic, people-centered approach to eradicating poverty through empowering individuals and communities, fostering cooperation between stakeholders, and promoting political action for just policies.

1. The Commission to Promote Systemic Change presents: MDGs and Systemic Change Strategies A VINCENTIAN FAMILY PRESENCE IN A GLOBAL FORUM Belleville, Ill November 6, 2010

3. “ I am struck by the remarkable convergence of views on the challenge that faces us. And by the urgency of your call to action. You have said that your first priority is the eradication of extreme poverty. You have set specific targets in relation to the goals. And you have set measures in relation to those targets. If the measures are taken, the targets will be reached.” Millennium Summit, 2000

4. For ten years the MDGs have kept the eyes of the world focused on poverty eradication. The Goals have driven welcome and significant progress for some people living in poverty.

5. The MDGs are critically important because they represent an international commitment at the highest level to eradicate extreme poverty.

6. For the religious community , globally, the MDGs provide a unique opportunity to bring together our faith, our commitment to justice and our ability to hold governments to account – all 189 signers of the MDGs.

7. Yet, despite some hugely significant achievements, it appears unlikely that by 2015 any of the Goals will be met. What happened?

15. Systemic Change Strategies “ Social thinking and social practice inspired by the Gospel must always be marked by a special sensitivity towards those who are most in distress, those who are extremely poor, those suffering… from hunger, neglect, unemployment and despair. You will also want to seek out the structural reasons which foster or cause the different forms of poverty in the world and in your own country, so that you can apply the appropriate remedies.” Pope John Paul 11

24. “ But there are signs of hope: … the growing awareness in the world of the value of the human person. We see this in the formation of groups promoting human rights, civil liberties and political participation. … ..individuals and groups and whole populations are endeavoring to create just economic and political structures which permit the development of the human person. These are all signs of a new world struggling to emerge.” The Present Situation Ratio Missionum

25. Beyond 2015

26. Thank you